Here starts the last chapter of our trip. I had booked a one-night two days excursion to the Amalfi coast.
The sights were nice of course but the organization left much to be desired, especially after being so pampered by the cruise ship.
It started with an early pick up at our hotel (so early that we could not get breakfast or coffee). We were taken to the tour offices, where we were distributed into various larger buses. We then left for Naples. Our driver got stuck in traffic trying to get to the port to drop off a group that was doing some other excursions. I had never been to Naples but seeing it this way did not make me want to go back…granted we probably missed the nicer parts. We did stop to take photos of the bay of Naples…and that was nice.
From there we drove to Pompeii. But in true tour fashion we stopped in a jewelry store that makes shell cameos. Although I admire the technique I find them old fashioned. I was more interested by some spectacular flowers outside: part Christmas decoration, part toilet brush.
Finally we were entered the site! As I had been there before I do not want to repeat myself so I went back and re-read my initial comments about Pompeii. It is still in my mind one of the most impressive sites (along with Ephesus).
The fact that it was immobilized suddenly and “frozen” so to speak, allows us to get a much more precise idea of what life was in those days. The paintings in particular are a surprise. This one in particular is vibrant and animated
Of course everyone talks of the sexually explicit paintings in the brothels. For some reason I had shied away from photographing them the last time…. but I made up for it this year.
Another thing I had not dared to shoot the first time were the “bodies” that were recovered.
During early excavations of the site, occasional voids in the ash layer had been found that contained human remains. These were spaces left by the decomposed bodies and so by injecting plaster into them it was possible to perfectly recreate the forms of Vesuvius’s victims. What resulted were highly accurate and eerie forms of the doomed Pompeiani who failed to escape, in their last moment of life, with the expression of terror often quite clearly visible.
It still troubles me but I did take a few photos nonetheless. There are a couple on display, one is crouching protecting his head, this one is lying down and seems to be crying in horror.
One shot that was totally unplanned was this one: a bird flew by just as I was snapping this view.
The visit was too short but it had been a long day and we were happy to get to our hotel that evening (after yet another bus ride). It was perched on the hill a bit outside of Sorrento, but a lovely place nonetheless. Even the room numbers were tiled into the floor.
It had spectacular views especially from the terrace bar where we ordered “Italian Gigolos”. Great drinks, I tried making them at home but the colors got mixed up…I will need to practice a bit more before I master the gigolo.
The next morning we hopped back on the bus, to get to the port of Sorrento where we boarded a boat that took us to the Island of Capri.
We got off the boat and waited around until we were told we could get on another smaller boat that was to take us to the Blue Grotto.
It seems that often the visit to the Blue Grotto is not possible because of the height of the waves.
I had no idea what to expect so I just enjoyed the ride, fascinated by all the other boats around us.
I started worrying when we dropped anchor near a cliff and just bobbed around. I could see small rowboats around but did not grasp right away that THOSE were to be our carriers inside the grotto.
I was seriously scared of crossing from fairly high motorboats into a tiny rowboat that was not tied to anything, in the middle of the ocean…and to make matters worse I was wearing a very short skirt… The Italian guy in the rowboat made me sit in the bottom of his boat, facing him, with my legs spread open …I was not a happy camper. Basically what they do is row towards the entrance of the cave and then pull themselves inside using ropes. Once inside, it is very dark but the light coming in through the small opening illuminates the water and gives out a spectacular blue color.
That is when the rowers start to sing opera…and try to grab whatever loose parts they can get their hands on…that’s also when I knew he would not be getting a tip.
We then exit the same way we came in and then must climb back into the motorboat. Guess what? It is easier to climb down than to climb up!! Because I did not want to give the Italian Romeo more of a show than he already had had I turned to my left to do the climbing….baaad idea! I lost my balance and landed face down on the floor. My only consolation is that my panties were facing away from him. A piece of advice ladies: wear slacks!
Once back on land we boarded yet another bus that took us up to Anacapri. This is the busy touristy place. Filled with high-end stores, bars and restaurants. It is very picturesque,
We wandered through the maze of back streets and came upon this fish store…
On our way back at the end of the day we encountered these colorful sailboats…they reminded me of the two elephants I had put at the end of the South Africa story….
| … so this is where I again say: Arrividercci!. |
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