The long and winding road
Trip Start
Sep 11, 2010
1
33
40
Trip End
Oct 24, 2010
Sorrento, Campania, Italy
Friday, October 15, 2010
We decided to hire a driver today so we could see the parts of the Amalfi Coast that we really wanted to see, and not have to redo the bits we were already familiar with. Our driver was a local called Francesco, and he drove a classy Mercedes Benz Vano at our pace, stopping wherever we wanted so we could take photos. He knew all the best places and could add lots of valuable information and insights for us that made the journey really interesting. We asked for some free time in Positano and showed Trish and Rex some of the places that were familiar to us, walked around the famous church, did a wee bit of shopping and checked out the beach. Francesco kept apologising for the weather, which was overcast and not the azure blue skies the Coast is renowned for.
Marco the Italian hunk, rowed and serenaded us in the Emerald Grotto. Trish and Karen had their photos taken with him, and he was keen to have more information about any unmarried daughters that might be interested in relocating to Amalfi. (I think Trish has contact details for further gen if anyone’s interested). The pool was much smaller than the blue grotto, but it was still very pretty and the same effects were there – just on a smaller scale.
Our last stop was Ravello for lunch (we’ve got used to European hours, so lunch at 2.30pm seems normal). We were all fascinated by the owners’ family lunch – kids called downstairs by grandma to wash hands; sat down at the beautifully set table with the menfolk; all given plates of spaghetti with tomato sauce for starters; then a huge plate of small fried whole fish came out … and the fat, family cat; most of the food cleaned up (some by the cat), and then the wash hands ritual in reverse. It was lovely to see, lots of talking going on, lots of good food being eaten, and all the kids automatically took their plates out to the kitchen when they’d finished – nice manners.
The ceramics in Ravello were truly works of art and Philip and I were really tempted to buy a beautiful ornament – of Bacchus, naturally - to hang on our fence. It was expensive, and would have to be shipped, and we were in a hurry as Francesco was waiting, so we decided not to make a rushed decision. Interestingly, back in Sorrento similar items cost 3 or 4 times more.
It was our last night in Sorrento, so we walked to a fish/seafood restaurant recommended by Francesco, for a mixed seafood/fish grill which was deboned and served tableside. It was a lovely relaxed meal, we were all nicely tired (it was 11pm) and a good way to wrap up our Sorrento sojourn.
Comments
Great idea getting a local to take you out and about!
Might try that next time :-)