I arrive into Sorrento at midday on Friday, September 24. Wow where has the time gone, I cannot believe I'm leaving Europe in 5 days - very scary!
After saying goodbye to Dawn and Nick I purchase a bus ticket and have about 15 minutes to wait, better than the 40 minutes the hotel had advised. Getting to the hotel is ok, although I had difficulty ringing the buzzer for the bus to stop given I had my elephant on.
Wow my room has a view to kill for - it looks to Napoli and Sorrento bays. I'm sure it's amazing on a sunny day, but given it's raining not so pretty today. Why oh why did I sent my poncho to NZ, I definitely need it now. Oh well can't do anything about it and I'm sure there will be Dodgy Brothers Are Us somewhere selling umbrellas.
Thankfully when I head out the rain has stopped, long may it stay away. I have places to go and the rain will not damper my spirits.
I have an hour wandering around Sorrento, such a refreshing change from dirty dodgy Napoli, before I run into Dawn and Nick (who I'd been on the train with). Just before seeing them I notice a hearse pull up and a coffin come out, I feel very sad. A couple of minutes later the coffin returns with flowers on it, is put back into the hearse and is led down the road by a car carrying flowers and a priest walking. Following the hearse is the family and friends. They are heading to the Church for the funeral. I find it very touching that the road is closer to traffic and there is a policeman watching.
Need a drink now to calm the nerves, never like seeing this!
We find a small place and sit outside drinking the local bianco vino.
Around 6pm we split up, after making plans to meet for dinner tomorrow night, and I wander around the cobblestone streets. Went into a few shops, all geared towards the tourist and in same way, shape or form around lemons. One of the shops I go into is attacked by a tour group within seconds of me entering, I can hardly turn around let alone look at anything but when I hear there is going to be a lemoncello tasting I stick around, and boy am I pleased I did. I love this stuff and will be buying a couple of bottles to take with me. Just hope I get it through customs with no issues.
I was amazed at how much the city came alive after 6pm, clearly people have jobs to go to during the day and only come out after work to play.
I head back to the hotel, which is a 10-15 minute walk from the centre of Sorrento, to get directions to one of the restaurants I'd read about. On leaving the hotel I'm following a couple for 50 metres until they verved off. They said follow so I did, we took a couple of lifts down (that belonged to the next door hotel) then stairs to the water.
They wandered around and I headed straight to restaurant, and got a table on the waters edge - pure bliss! And a world away from Napoli. I'd ordered, the house speciality of gnocchi with clams, then the couple appeared and joined me. Viv and Martin are from outside Manchester and have been travelling for more years than I've been alive. Was lovely sitting chatting to them. Towards the end of the evening the heavens opened, to begin with just the odd spots then full on. We all head inside and finished off the evening with a digestive - lemocello for me, brandy for them.
When the rain looked like it had stopped we got the check. I was absolutely blown away, Viv and Martin paid for my meal - so very kind of them!
The walk back to the hotel was up cobblestone alleyways, I know if I was by myself I would have felt very safe. So different to Napoli.
Saturday morning I'm up early, I'm heading to Capri for the day even though the weather is pretty bad. Unfortunately it's suppose to be on and off raining the whole time I'm here so I can't let rain interrupt my plans.
After breakfast in the hotel I head off to the port. I stick out like a sore thumb with my shorts, t-shirt and jandels - everyone seems to be in trousers with jackets, closed shoes and an umbrella. Ooh well it's just water and I'll live, plus it's really not that cold. Somehow don't think I'll be using the hotel's swimming pool though.
On arrival at the Port I'm advised the boat I wanted to take is full and the next one is not until 2.30pm, I think not! There are two companies thankfully that go to Capri so after buying my ticket I have a short wait before the boat leaves. I was suppose to be meeting Monique and Gartan (who I went to Pompeii with) at Capri however after speaking with them their trip has been cancelled due to the weather and rough seas (they are staying in Amalfi town). It looks ok from where I am and as I've already brought my ticket I'm going to go.
Within minutes of leaving the Port one of the crew walks around with plastic bags asking everyone if they want one as a sick bag....I decline however if someone around me uses one then I might be needing one. Thankfully the journey is only 25 minutes.
At one stage I make the stupid mistake of looking out the window and see a very large wave coming our way - deep breaths are needed!! On asking one of the crew we are only 5 minutes away. Think I might be swimming back.
On arrival in Capri, I take the funicular up the hill and have no idea what I'll find there! On exiting I spot an information centre and discover I'm in Capri town - one of the two places I want to visit today. Pure luck! I wander around the alleyways, stopping in at Chiesa San Stefano which has either just had a wedding or about to have one - the white roses everywhere are amazing.
Unfortunately its raining quite heavily on and off, makes it tricky walking down the alleyways. Taking shelter under the trees don't really help me.
I noticed a large tour group and decided to slowly follow them, I had no idea exactly where I was and was pleased to notice we were walking towards the Giardini di Augusto. The views are spectacular! I could stand here forever looking, however the rain gods have other ideas. I notice a gardeners shed so dive in to take cover. Luckily the gardener is friendly and doesn't kick me out.
After a few minutes the rain stopped, a good time to run off to visit the Certosa di San Giacomo. On arriving I am surprised that the outside is so bland. It's a combination of a Church, museum and school. The Church has some amazing frescoes, a great place to take shelter from the rain which is now bucketing down. Such a bad day to be here....
After a good 20 minutes the rain seemed to have stopped, well reduced greatly so I head off. I get no more than 3 minutes and the heavens open - time to take cover for a vino me thinks.
Within a couple of mouthfuls of vino the rain stops, typically! On finishing, I wander around the quiet alleyways before heading back to the centre and take a bus to Anacapri. I had heard lots about this little town but was rather disappointed, to be there wasn't anything to see or do. Of course the bad weather didn't help. After no more than an hour I head back to Capri by bus.
I was still feeling dodgy from the boat trip and the windy roads were definitely not helping me. I knew I would feel better after having something to eat but the thought of having to eat nearly made me lose my breakfast. How on earth I was going to get back onto the boat to Sorrento was beyond me.
I had noticed a bakery on my wandering this morning so decided to head back there to pick up something light for lunch, no need to spend money on a sit-down lunch when I'm feeling not so flash. After a piece of Focaccia I started to feel a lot better.
I walk down to the Port, instead of taking the funicular, and enjoy the quiet alleyways - a nice change from the packed alleyways above.
The boat journey back is no better or worse than the one coming over, Prada, Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton bags are handed out to those that want them - I do get a giggle out of this!
I arrive back to Sorrento in one piece, however literally ran off the boat taking a few people out along the way. I walked back to hotel through the cobblestone streets, stopping off to buy a bottle of lemoncello. If I had a freezer in my room I would be having a glass or two once it was cold....of course that would have to wait until tomorrow though.
I had a couple of hours relaxing before I had to head out to meet Dawn and Nick. The sound of the sea made me feel sick after my boat ride so the windows were quickly closed! I needed to start to feel better and quick smart.
I left the hotel at 6.27pm - we said we would meet at 6.30pm, I couldn't believe I was running so late. It's so not like me to be late!
After tasting Dawn's vino decided I wouldn't be having anything, time to go elsewhere.
We walked down to seaside, area as last night, to the restaurant which had been highly recommended to both of us. Dinner very good, but I do think the other night was better. After going back to the city centre we found a bar and sat enjoying a couple of glasses of lemoncello - yum yum.
Sunday morning I was finally up at 8.30am, I had been up at 1am (about an hour after going to bed) feeling absolutely terrible and freezing cold. Was it the clams? The lemoncello? Or still recovering from the boat trips? Horrible feeling. Headed down to breakfast, will decide plan of attack later on.
Had a relaxed morning at the hotel, got online and researched hotels in Roma. Finally booked one and am hoping it will be ok. As I'm going to be there for about 12 hours I didn't see the point in paying EUR 100 ++ a night....time will tell if I made a good decision.
Late morning I headed off for a walk, decided to go in the opposite direction to the town (where I haven't been before). Typically I do this on the last day and realise what I've missed out on, this trip there is nothing to see. Wandered into the city centre and into a few shops before going to have a late lunch at the restaurant I had dinner in on the first evening.
Back to the hotel mid afternoon and had a sleep - pure bliss going to sleep with the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore.
I met Dawn and Nick outside my hotel at 6.30pm and headed off for a drink. I'd done research on 3 places, the first two weren't opened yet so fingers crossed the third one is. Thankfully within a few minutes of sitting down we are served.
On the way to the restaurant we heard lots of loud noises and on coming into the main square saw the fireworks behind the noise. No idea what they are for but it's quite impressive. I was amazed at how many people were out and about, definitely more than last night which surprises me given yesterday was Saturday night.
On arrival at the restaurant, which is packed, I see Viv and Martin - great minds think alike!
Monday morning I was up early although could have quite easily slept more, I'd been woken at 4.15am by rain that I'd never heard before. I was sleeping with my windows open and was shocked that it woke me. Thankfully there wasn't too much rain water everywhere.
I met Viv and Martin at breakfast and shortly after we headed off to the train station to take the bus to Amalfi town.
There was a line already for the bus, which wasn't leaving for another 35 minutes, so we split up - Viv stayed in the line while Martin and I went to buy our bus tickets. The friendly owner of the hotel had advised to buy a 24 hour pass instead of 2 one way passes, they were the same cost however the 24 hour pass allowed you to get on and off as much as you wanted in a 24 hour period. As we were taking the 11am bus I thought I may actually get up early tomorrow morning and go to another town.
The bus finally arrived and thankfully we were all fortunate enough to get a seat. I had been told the roads were rather narrow however the views were amazing. People were spot on however forgot to mention that the roads were as windy as hell. Within 20 minutes I was beginning to feel a little under the weather....I'm praying the trip is no more than 1.5 hours otherwise I will absolutely be getting out and walking there!
We had decided to go to Amalfi first, given it was the furthest away town. On arrival it started to pour with rain, brilliant if you don't have a jacket or umbrella! I made a run for the main piazza, first stop had to be coffee to warm up, use the bathroom, and dry off. We hoped the rain would stop by the time we got up to start exploring.
First stop was the amazing Duomo di Sant' Andrea - what an impressive site this is! The Duomo is reached by climbing 62 steps, on arrival at the top I loved standing looking down on the main piazza.
The front is covered with golden mosaics (hopefully my photos do it justice!), even more impressive up close. After wandering through the crypt we finally make it to the Duomo - just an amazing inside! For anyone that is planning a trip to Amalfi I highly recommend you visit this site.
The rain had stopped by the time we left the Duomo thank goodness. We took another bus to Ravello, which is situated above Amalfi. I know I go on and on about the views but boy they are good from here! We had a wander around, picked a place for a delicious lunch then headed back to Amalfi. Had a bit of a wait for a bus, which definitely wasn't on German time, but thankfully got on the first bus.
Wandered around Amalfi town before getting the bus back to Sorrento. I decided I didn't have enough time to get out at Positano, will have to visit there another trip. The three of us had seats on the back seat, reminded me of a bus trip I took with Ange and Aaron in Vietnam. Viv's chair wasn't in properly so kept moving, the heat from the engine had us burning up and the smell of the petrol/gas was high. Add to this the windy roads - not exactly a pleasant trip back to Sorrento!
On arrival into Sorrento we couldn't get off the bus quick enough (not easy when you are in the back row). Brought a few things from the supermarket then back to their room, which has a balcony, for drinks and snacks. Both Viv and I had said we weren't hungry but after a glass of bubbles we were happy to snack :)
Tuesday (28 September), my last full day in Italia, I had breakfast in the hotel before starting the awful task of packing up. I decided to take things for my night in Roma in a small carry bag, this means I won't need to be packing up again tomorrow morning.
I wander into the town and feel very sad that the first thing I notice is people walking out of the Duomo following a funeral. Again the road is closed and everyone is following the hearse down the road.
I have a couple of hours wandering around before going for my last lunch in Italia, tomorrow lunch will either be at the airport or on the plane (so not nice). I feel rather strange knowing my time has basically come to an end. I've had a great 2+ months and don't feel ready to be going onto the next thing. Am planning on spending my time in Asia working out what next.....which is a tad scary!
After collecting my bags from the hotel I bus to the train station, after a short wait I'm on a train to Napoli. I arrive earlier that I expected and end up having a good hour at the train station before taking my train to Roma. Definitely not a nice place to be for an hour!
The train trip was nice and quick, although with a very naughty child seating two rows in front of me it made it seem slow! At one stage I thought I might end up in jail.....how the mother manages is beyond me, although she has made the bed she sleeps in!
The hotel I booked was nice and close to the train station, so within 10 minutes of getting off the train I was checking in. Definitely not the Ritz but hey ho its only for a short night and the main reason of staying here is the proximity to the train station - didn't want another long commute again!
After dropping my bags I headed out for a walk, brought my train ticket to the airport for tomorrow morning (mainly to avoid the quees) and enjoyed my last Italiano vino and focaccia.
Wednesday (29 September) I woke early, had breakfast delivered to my room at 7.45am (caffè and pastry) then headed out for my last wander before heading to the airport. First stop was at a bar from another caffè (boy I'm going to miss these) then around the streets. I was shocked and amazed at the sights I saw on normal streets - Roma really does surprise me and every street has something to offer to the eye.
Time to head to the airport, where the last 2+ months have gone is beyond me - I want to stay here forever!
Addio Italia, grazie per tutto! Londra sto arrivando.
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