We are off to spend the night in Positano. To start the day we visit Sorrento with cousin Anne and Esther who is looking for local produce, plus a new oil and vinegar glass combo container that was broken in last nights search and rescue mission for the tender. It's raining heavily but we visit several delicious food shops. We have coffee and Neopolitana dolci, 'Sfogliatella'. A crispy pasty filled with custard. MB found a shop with Grande squid jigs for a depth to150 meters.
We say goodbye to Anne. We realize how important language skills are as Anne's fluent Italian skills helped us to understand the problems, food, and customs of Italy in an in depth way.
We travelled to Positano with Pasquale, it continues to rain, he suggests we have lunch on the beach at 'La Cambusa', here the menu has photos of all the fish. The waiters are so obliging and friendly that they give MB a copy as he is very interested in knowing the local names. After lunch we wander the narrow shop lined streets. There are so many ceramic shops with individual designs so we indulge our pottery addiction. The sea is too rough for a swim so we go to 'San Pietro' hotel for a drink. An amazing hotel built high on the cliffs where you access the beach some 100 meters below by lift.
We are staying at the 'Sirenusa' hotel for the night and dinner in the most unbelievable restaurant. We have extraordinary attention by the waiters and some local musicians.
We watch 'I Claudius' on DVD as we have been inspired by the roman Imperial stories by visiting the islands especially Capri.
Wednesday MB tries for a swim but the sea is too rough. We catch a bus to Amalfi to visit 'Ravello'. The bus is totally packed, standing room only and no stopping for anyone else along the way. We have a wild ride around these narrow roads, with sheer cliffs down to the water. I would hate to be a bus driver here.
Again happy to be in Amalfi again. The sun is out, take a coffee in the square where it is very busy as a cruise ship is in port. We bought Paul a ship in a bottle from a great little shop specializing in nautical memorabilia.
We take a bus to Ravelo, 5 kmsu up steep winding road to 600 meters above the sea. A very impressive town with stunning villas and gardens. It is very colorful with spring flowers out. We visit 'Villa Ruffallo' built originally in the 13th century, remodeled overtime it is a mixture of Arabic, Sicilian and Norman architecture. It has a real mixture of arches and towers in a beautiful garden.
Then walk to famous 'Villa Cimbrone' with its huge gardens and spectacular sculptures. Unbelievable views along the Amalfi coast.We could have spent a lot longer here but we had to get back to Sorrento for our trip to Sicily.
Our taxi driver Angelo Scalesia gave us a non stop verbal tour all the way back. Then a hug and a kiss for MB and JB got the same plus "I love you Janet ".
JB and Mick.