Capri and Back

April 25, 2012

Exciting day.  It started off rather early as we got up at 7:00 a.m.  so that we could have breakfast and be down at the docks before 8:00 a.m. 

This is the view of the town of Amalfi from the water. It looks much better from here J

We think it is much better traveling the Amalfi coast by boat as the scenery is outstanding looking landward…

This is the town of Positano that we stopped in two days ago.  This is as close as we got by boat because there was a HUGE swell out here at sea.

There were two levels to the boat that we were on, and we were lucky to get front row seats on the top deck.   It was cold, but you could see so much more from up there.   The boat was a good size, holding about 80 people.  The fun part was going up and down the giant swells and getting a bit wet from the spray.  The swells were as big as the boat and it was quite exciting.  The skipper left the second deck controls (to go down to warmer quarters) and we were right there, so we couldn’t resist taking Danika’s picture as she takes over the controls.  We are just coming up on Capri, and you can see it in the background.

On the way into the Marina Piccolo in Capri they took us in close in order to see the White Grotto.

Then it was around the corner to see the Faraglioni Rocks (the iconic view of Capri).

The famous Lover's Arch…

They told us our big boat was going to go through the arch.  I didn’t really believe it because the arch looked too small for us to fit.

But fit we did, and as we went through they said we should kiss our partner as we went under it for luck and a long happy life together.  Of course we had to comply, and Danika caught it on film.

They dropped us off at 10:00 a.m. at the small harbor, Marina Piccolo. 

This is Jason with the skipper…

Stunning.  We had six hours to roam around the Island, YES.  The only sad part is that the Blue Grotto (a famous cave on the northwest of Capri used by Roman emperors) was closed due to the high swells, so we didn’t get to do that.  It only took me a few minutes to get rid of my wobbly sea legs as we went ashore.

Then we walked up to the town of Capri and grabbed a bus up the steep, winding road to Anacapri where there is a chairlift to the highest point on the island, Monte Solaro. Jason made friends while David was getting lift tickets.

Jason and David were behind me along with the incredible views.

Danika was in front where the scenery was just as spectacular.  It was interesting going through the farming areas…

as well as weird things like this…

Getting to the top, breathtaking…

There was a 360 degree view of the island and we took pics of the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccolo…

The feeling of Ancient Greece and Rome abounds…

Then it was a 40 minute hike back down to Anacapri. 

We took a side trip to a church which added to that time, but it was well worth it.  We stopped for snacks and a rest, and the views were an added bonus…

and one of my favorite pictures...

Once back down in Anacapri, we were going to get a bus to Capri, but David and Jason went to the tourist information office and got a map so that we could hike it.  

We were NOT disappointed.  On the north side of Capri is Marina Grande where the ferries come in from Sorrento and Napoli.

 It is a beautiful hike that involves 700 steps.  Luckily we were used to the steps from living in Perugia, because they were pretty steep.  What a beautiful place.

When we reached the town of Capri, we decided to go to the main square.  It was crowded with tourists, and the main road leading in and out was like Rodeo Drive.  So NOT our scene.  We stayed long enough to take this pic and then headed back for the hike down to Marina Piccolo.

We had about 45 minutes before our boat left, so we got gelato and enjoyed the relaxing view.

Then it was back on the boat.  The sea was much calmer and it was much warmer.  We somehow were able to get the front row seats up top again J  Someone is truly watching over us on this trip.  So, this time when the skipper went below, David and Jason took the controls…

It is a two hour boat ride and Danika and Jason were so tired that before long they were both laying on our laps.

The views on the way back were just as wonderful with the sun setting at our backs.

By the time we got back we were so exhausted that we bought pizzas from an amazing pizza place (wood fired oven, Neopolitan thin crust) and had them down at the beach.  We just hung out until the sun set and it got too cool to sit before we headed back to the hotel for an early night.

~Mary