From the first time we visited Italy I have wanted to return! That time was almost 9 years ago and I had terrific memories of that first trip, so this time, I wondered whether or not it would live up to the expectations that my memories had created. These expectations have also helped create my writer's block! I will admit that this time around hasn't seemed to live up to that first trip in terms of excitement and wonder. I think that is for a combination of reasons. I will confess that my first time to Italy, being my first trip to Europe as well, I wandered around like a wide eyed child seeing a lot of things that I had only ever dreamed of, and everything seemed surreal. But even though this time, I'm a little more accustomed to seeing things that I read about and saw pictures of, in books, I also am very sure that Italy has changed! Even though in the grand scheme of history, 9 years is not that much, I can honestly say that in that short time, Italy has become much more commercial! The scenery has stayed the same but there are so many more people crawling all over. Everywhere we drive, there is a traffic jam. Whenever we reach a destination, there are already hundreds or thousands of people ahead of us. Almost everything seems like a crowded tourist trap.
I still think this is one of the most important destinations in the world to visit but it can be incredibly frustrating as well as exciting, and there doesn't seem to be any quiet places or moments to be had.
Upon having said that I'm going to tell you about some of the extremely scenic tourist traps we visited in the last few days. The first time we came, we went to the Isle of Capri off the Amalfi coast and I wanted to visit the "Blue Grotto" or "Grotta Azzurra" as the Italians call it. The first time we visited Capri we couldn't get to the Grotto because the water was too rough and as it's a cave with a water inlet, the water around the opening has to be calm. This time, being as we were in Sorrento for 4 days, we checked the long range weather and made sure we were going to Capri on the day with the best weather and the plan worked. We went with Matthew and Mindy and were all successful in seeing the Grotto. While it was very busy and we waited 45 minutes on a large boat waiting our turn to unload onto small rowboats to get into the Grotto I can honestly say it was worth the wait.
If you take a close look at this photo as well as the next one,
You can see a chain that runs from the cliffside into the Grotto. As you near the Grotto on these small row boats you are actually sitting higher on the water than the opening to enter and the passengers have to lie low in the boat while the oarsman waits for the lowest point of a wave sequence and then uses the chain to pull you even lower in the water and into the Grotto.
This is your view as you enter this aqua wonderland.
After a time of floating on this beautiful blue impressionist picture,
the oarsman takes you back toward the opening
and you exit through the same opening you entered. Although it was a short trip, Joani described it the best. It was an original experience, unlike anything else we've ever done.
Once we left the Blue Grotto, we explored a bit of Capri and had lunch
I took the time to make friends with a naked lady made completely out of bicycle chains, and we left Capri.
The next day we headed to Positano. The traffic between Sorrento and Positano was brutal so we all agreed that we would do our touring around the perimeter. It was afternoon before we arrived so we decided to have lunch at a place called La Tagliata. An amazing place that hangs off the cliffside above Positano.
The seating areas are on 3 different terraces and the views overlooking Positano are spectacular to say the least. The food and the staff were both outstanding and eating here was truly an epic experience.
It was not just a restaurant, but a family farm where they raised their own food.
Chickens,
as well as pigs. Sorry to the vegetarians.
They also grew their own produce.
I don't know if this guy was a pet but he was very cool looking!
After lunch we hiked some thing called: "the Path of the Gods"
or in Italian: "Sentiero degli Dei"
The house above is just a gratuitous shot to show you the cliffside we were on.
Joani and I on the path.
And a couple of more of Joani on the path, she is my muse after all!
I forgot to mention that this 5 mast ship had arrived the evening before, so on our morning before we left for Positano we saw the scene above from our private terrace.
And in the evening as we got home the same ship was lit up like a Christmas tree. A beautiful piece of scenery added to our already beautiful vantage point.
Some overpopulated areas perhaps, but very beautiful scenery nevertheless.
Garry
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