I really didn't expect a lot of what I'm going to tell you about in this blog. The biggest surprise of all was running in to our neighbours, Sal and Isabel, after visiting Pompei. There they were on the side of the road waiting for a bus to take them back to their cruise ship. What are the odds of us walking to our car at the same time and in the midst of a sea of tourists? We all got a good laugh after the shock wore off. Vino Rosso to celebrate when we get home! 
We've had some surprising encounters in the past however that one takes the cake.

Now back to the blog:

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I really didn't expect to arrive in Agrapoli and find a jewel of a bed and breakfast. We had no plans and followed a sign to La Roccia. The view was stunning, the people extremely friendly (in spite fo the fact that we had to communicate using our translater and their dictionary) and the breakfast was to die for. 
The next surprise was Paestum.   This Greek city was founded in the 7th century BC and grew until the fall of the Roman Empire. At that time it was abandoned and eventually forgotten. The area is marshy and became infested with malarial mosquitoes. It wasn't 'found' again until the area was being cleared for a road in the 18th century.  Huge trees had grown around the site and obscured it from view. This is the reason that the temples were found amazingly intact. On one of them there is even part of the roof still standing. This and the fact that we had the place almost to ourselves made it the best find in Southern Italy. We had a great afternoon exploring and enjoying the area (no mosquitoes!).
We really didn't expect to have another road closure on our drive north towards Agropoli... but a road closure we did have. This time, after following along the coast road, we came to a Chiuso just south Sapri of which forced us in to another 60km detour. Oh well... all part of the journey. We did see an amazing castle set in a remote canyon that we wouldn't have found without the detour.
The next surprise was the Amalfi coast.  The traffic was light when we arrived in Salerno so we decided to try the drive and maybe book in to Sorrento a day early.  The traffic remained light and, compared to some of the roads we drove last year, it was an easy drive. We even had a number of opportunities to pull over and take pictures.  
Sorrento was a surprise because on Sunday they close the streets of the historic center....that's where our b&b was. PG (our GPS) didn't know that and...well...lets just say that Shane and I are still together but the drive got a little tense. After walking a couple of kilometers I found the place and booked us in a day early. 
It was still early and there was no place to park so we took advantage of the day and headed off to Pompei. Now we were there 38 years ago and it has changed a bit.  Neither of us remember all the walls which have been built up I guess to give more of an impression of what it used to look like. Also, 38 years ago I wasn't allowed to enter the brothel so, of course, I had to take a look at what all the hype was about.  No big deal but I can take it off my to do list now.
As I write this it is our last day in Sorrento. We parked the car and have acted like relaxed tourists these last few days. Took the bus to Amalfi and spent a day there.... took the bus to Positano and spent another day there and took the boat to Capri to spend a day there.  
One of the things we didn't expect is how stunningly beautiful this area is. We loved the Amalfi coast with the rugged rocks and pastel houses brimming with flowers. The sea is such a beautiful colour and with the sun shining it couldn't be more perfect.  
Capri is a shoppers haven ...I'm not a shopper so we just enjoyed the island and the hype. 
Sorrento is a delightful city...once you figure it out.  We spent the last three nights here in a very swank hotel. We chose to move here after one night in the B&B.  The hotel is just off the main square in the historic center.  Have to tell you the room we are in is one of the best we've ever stayed in. Nice to treat yourself once in a while!
Tomorrow we head to Rome for our last week in Italy. After the time we have had here we are ready to go to the big city. I will miss Sorrento and will leave a piece of my heart behind here on the Amalfi coast.  
Hint: If you take the bus trip get a seaside seat on the bus... can't beat the view but it's not for the faint hearted.