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Lovely Sorrento! Tina Arena's song "Sorrento Moon" plays in my mind as we walk through the picturesque town square and streets of this town perched on cliffs above the sea. Like a postcard! There are tourists but not in droves so it is more relaxed and friendly. Lots to see and do here. A local tried to give us directions for free to our lovely hotel but hardened by Florence and especially Rome experiences i brushed him off. He very kindly persisted and we took his guidance. They actually are friendly here.
Jeannie befriended a white fluffy cat with a flat face (i think the breed is actually called the Flat Faced Fluffy White) who kept coming up for cuddles when she passed.
Hotel Ulisse was great - big room, great bathroom and the hotel - which calls itself a deluxe hostel - is very spacious and quiet. Yes, you heard it- quiet. After rome it is paradise. Of course it was a bit further than the "5 minute walk" I told Jeannie (try 1.2 kilometer) but she's getting used to it (I hope). Aah, that's a negative. Apparently it's a taxi back though, no question. Price no object.
Went to Pompeii yesterday all day. Caught the circumvenusia train there - only fourteen local stops compared to the 28 from naples, but we were entertained by a troupe of musicians roaming coach to coach playing for coins. Almost as entertaining was watching other passengers avoid looking at the musicians as they played, to avoid paying. Shouldn't they have covered their ears as well? We usually pay anyway so we just watch and enjoy.
Pompeii fantastico! All day walking through a complete roman town frozen in time from 79 Ad when Vesuvius exploded after 800 years of being asleep. Surprise!! We didn't get to see Herculaneum which was even better preserved and where they found 300 bodies huddled on the beaches waiting for rescue from across the bay. Pompeii was a lively town - they had a nice little marble bar with inset wine urns every 50 to 100 metres from the look of it, and very saucy wall frescoes, mosaics, and statues of gods with three legs! Oops, thats not a leg! Went into a preserved Brothel with frescos illustrating the specialties of the house above each room. The volcanic entombment provided a snapshot of roman civilization before christianity replaced the many gods and their temples. It was buried under 5 metres of ash until rediscovered in 1748.
Went to amalfi coast today on a bus that hugged the coast road. Olive groves on steep slopes with those fine nets spread to catch the falling olives. The road through Positano, Priaino, and amalfi actually hugs the cliffs in many places supported by arches coming off the cliff below. In many places it was a negotiation of centimeters between vehicles. Exhilarating! Had a great day on the beachfront in amalfi, relaxing with a fiery bruschetta, cold beer and a cool ocean breeze watching people suffer heart attacks as they entered the water for a swim.
Sorrento very naice, as Borat says, and we will return. Still so much to explore here. Did I mention the gelato? Jeannie limited me to five gelatos per day.
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Patricia & Andre The last pictures of Italy (Sorento) were fantastic. We hope that the rest of your trip will be great too!
Patricia & Andre We just let you know, that JM bought alcohol duty free in Barcelona and got confiscated in S'pore. You are only allowed to buy at their duty free shops (new?). Looking forward to your UK adventure.