after rome, we made our way down along the coast to the cliffside towns on the amalfi coast. people often quote john steinbeck who once wrote, when describing positano, "it is a dream place that isn't quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone." daron and i both found those words to be dead on. everything about this place was dreamy. everywhere you look, you see pastel-colored houses perched on top of rugged mountains over-looking the sea. i also read in one of my travel books that "it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say positano is one of the most beautiful places on earth." i thought the author was exaggerating...until i saw it for myself.
the first day we arrived it was late in the evening. all i remember of that night was sitting at our table outside starring at the view from our room (pictured above) with googly eyes until the sun went down. oh, i also remember constantly reminding myself that i wasn't dreaming and indeed, i was in positano and the amalfi coast was already exceeding my expectations.
warning: i tried to take pictures that captured the feel of this place but my very limited photography skills don't even come close to portraying what this place looks like in real life. i don't know if any picture does it justice. it's one of those "you must see for yourself"...
once we landed we grabbed a snack and hopped on a boat to take our tour around the island and to see the blue grotto, an absolute must!
^tons of boats meet at the opening of the cave
that takes you into the blue grotto.
then men in rowboats come pick you up to take you inside.
that takes you into the blue grotto.
then men in rowboats come pick you up to take you inside.
it's a little chaotic but after spending only a short time in italy i wouldn't expect anything less from the italians! ;)
^to the right of the guy's head in the middle is the opening to the cave.
can you see a teeny-tiny dark spot with the back of row boat?
everyone has to crouch down to be able to fit through!
^truly one of the most beautiful things i have ever seen.
i tell daron frequently that i cannot die without going back to that cave!
^i'll let you in on a little secret that lets you know daron is enjoying this nap.
he usually has a frown when he sleeps... check out that smirk he has!
he usually has a frown when he sleeps... check out that smirk he has!
after our time on the beach, we had a delicious lunch right on the sand next to the water. i fulfilled my dream of eating mouth-watering caprese salad on the island of capri while daron had a caprese sandwhich. before the last ferry came in, we headed up the funicular that takes you to the top of the mountain ridge next to the harbor. capri is known to be expensive and luxurious. and what we saw was just that. so since we definitely wouldn't be doing any shopping, daron and i bought the delicious mandorlati treat for 4 euros and basically just let our jaw drop at all the expensive shopping...
oh, you can bet there was some people watching in there too!
oh, you can bet there was some people watching in there too!
^part of the view from up top!
then we had to say goodbye...
then we had to say goodbye...
up next, the rest of our stay on the amalfi coast!
*a side note for next time:
one day i want to come back to the island of capri and stay for a few days so that i can -
1. swim at a private beach
2. swim in the blue grotto with just daron. the workers at the blue grotto repeatedly said swimming was forbidden inside the cave. but daron and i talked to a local who said if you stay on the island and make it to cave before 8, you can take a dip inside and have the blue grotto all to yourself. how amazing does that sound!?!?!?
next time...
No comments:
Post a Comment