Got up late (loving this part), and got ready quickly. Andrea had breakfast all ready for us. (And she had the ferry schedules for us. Her husband, Valerio, was a captain of one of the Capri tour boats. --- I love the way they say Capri here.)
As I am not too keen on boat rides, though I would love to go to Capri, we thought our best bet would be to hit Positano by ferry. We were told parking over there was nonexistent.
Rushed down to the ferry area only to find a lot of people and no ferries yet. I don’t have words to describe how hot it is, let’s just say I was drenched and so was Savage. I used my grandmother’s handkerchief I had brought with me and the wonderful little hand fan that they gave me at the Croatian Music Festival (boy did I feel like a Southern Belle sitting in the shade, fanning myself and using a dainty little handkerchief. All I needed now was a mint julep to complete the picture -- but I don't drink those, too sweet). We had bottles of cold water for the ferry ride.
Not many of the people got on the ferry with us, I guess most were going to Capri and not Positano. Our ferry was warm on the inside also. I went on the front because the wind was blowing and I was a little seasick. Thankfully this was a fast boat -- only an hour to get there.
On the ferry with us were two U.S. sisters -- one was in a language school for the summer and the other was a teacher on her break. (Both are a dream of mine, a fleeting dream...) Also a very nice British couple who were on a two week holiday.
We arrived at 11:00. As it was lunchtime, we wandered around looking for a restaurant. We started up one of the alley/stairways, I had to stop. Savage didn’t find anything and came back down for me.
As we walked along the shore, saw some Mormons on the street, they were wearing long khaki pants in 100+ degree heat. Saw a lady police officer on the stairs, Savage had his "leering" glasses on and had to be dragged away. We went through the maze of alleys and settled on Chez Black. It was an open air restaurant and had fans. The fans were a little helpful, but how could they really cut through this air.
My stomach was still a bit queasy from the boat ride and how can you really eat when it is SO hot outside. I ordered a salate mista, watermelon (don’t eat much at home but am eating lots over here), and a mimosa. The food was good.
At the table beside us was a very young NYC honeymooning couple. Savage texted me a few choice things about them. It was very funny to observe them. But, of course, I ended up talking to them and most of what he had texted me was probably true. The young man had his bachelor party in New Orleans so we discussed that and his wife and Savage never had a clue the horrible things we were actually talking about ;). You have to go to NOLA to understand it.
Great people watching today - on the boat and from the table. I think Savage took the classic WTH photo of the trip. I just don’t see how any man could think he looks good in this outfit.
I got a few postcards and stamps and we went back for the highspeed ferry. With our luck it was broken and the next boat out was at 15:40 -- ie 3:40. OMG there’s nothing to do here and I just want the Villa Adriana pool. I started to get real quiet because I don't like to be on trips where people complain. And I definitely don't want to be the complainer. My attitude is you can make fun of it instead and Savage is kind of the same way. But I could tell he was really getting his knickers in a twist.
So we made the best of it and tried to find a bus, the tourist office was closed for their siesta but the nice lady helped us anyway. (I didn’t use my Southern charm, I let the Kiwi use his charm on her instead.) The bus ended up not being an option either. Found out that in addition to his vertigo, Savage also could get claustrophobic and motion sick in crowded buses as well. I know I couldn’t have made it the hour and half on the bus through the mountains myself.
There was a church here that we went into hoping for some A/C -- not, but a nice church anyway.
Drenchingly wet found a little cafe/bar and sat in the shade (not near a fan this time) and had cold drinks. Mine was way too sweet, maybe this laying off sugar is a good thing for me. I was feeling better and had lost some weight. Also if I had sugar I could definitely tell and it made me sick.
While we were there Savage pointed out I had a tan line on my foot from my flipflops/jandals. :) I haven’t had a tan line since sophomore year of college when I took tennis all summer. I could live in my flip flops, I am liking this type of attitude/lifestyle.
At this restaurant they had restrooms, I found it funny to try and go to the bathroom while I was so sweaty. It’s like you have to go in there (where it is airconditioned) and wait to dry off before you can even go in the restroom stall. Otherwise your clothes are so stuck to you they can’t be peeled off. And I was not the only woman in there just standing in the A/C.
We went back to the boat area and were in line with the nice British couple from the previous boat. The husband used to be a mechanical engineer for Caterpillar -- 31 years. Savage and the wife both laid into the husband and me about indicating/using your blinkers. Hum, I guess other people have these problems too. I am learning and he tells me I am doing better when I drive. Even though it is a machismo thing and he likes to drive most of the time. I noticed that in Italy, women don't drive much.
Savage went up top to sun himself (and probably escape my chatter for awhile). I stayed on the front of the boat on a chair with the British couple. She talked more than I and was a hoot. I started getting seasick and went to the side of the ship and the area where they unloaded. I stuck my head out of the side to feel the breeze - just like a puppy dog does in a car- this was a 2 hour “mini” cruise not the 1 hour fast boat. I felt like I was on the “slowboat” to China. When we docked, I was the 2nd person off the boat after the crewman.
The coastline here was AMAZINGLY pretty and the cliffs and water just crashed into each other. It is a very dramatic coastline, and would probably be wonderful to see from the air.
I guess Savage was beat too, HE said let’s get a cab back. :) it was a little expensive but worth every penny. I beat him into my bathing suit and into the pool, which is not the normal circumstance. That pool was great. It helped with the seasickness and the heat sickness. Villa Adriana is great.
Got to meet Valerio, he was as nice as his wife. He and Savage hit it off immediately, they both like to surf and Valerio had been to Savage’s hometown in NZ and surfed there.
After getting cleaned up for dinner we went in search of a restaurant they told us about on the boat -- 75 euros a plate is not within our budget. So we searched on. Found a restaurant that looked good -- it had outside seating and the seats were made out of barrels. But we were incorrect about the food/service.
not our restaurant but I like the name :) my favorite Mardi Gras parade
I will not dwell on the bad service and the not so tasty food, but it was our first not good restaurant experience so far.
The couple next to us was very nice (Savage says I talk too much and to everyone, but I like to hear other people’s stories). He liked these folks alot. --- They were British and the wife was a language teacher -- Italian and French-- she helped us with our service issues. (They had service issues as well.) And the husband was a master watchmaker. (One of Savages “things” is watches -- he loves them, I might have brought 3 or 4 pairs of shoes on this trip but he brought 5 or 6 watches. He was very excited about talking to this guy.)
He was very young late 20’s early 30’s and had dropped out of school and worked as a security guard at Cartier in London. While there he ate lunch and hung out with the watchmakers/repair people. He liked it so much he went to school to do that and apprenticed, etc and the rest is history. He collects Rolexes and his wife was wearing a Chanel watch. (I had my little Seiko on, the guy said that was a great watch.) He worked for a very exclusive and expensive watchmaker in Geneva four days a week and then flew home for the other three days. Cool job -- I guess you never know where the Lord is going to lead you. I know Savage enjoyed this dinner (except for the food).
Afterwards we wandered around the streets of Sorrento -- people watching and enjoying the cool temperatures. He had to buy his new girlfriend a happy to take to her in London. And I had to buy souvenirs to take home to family and friends as well. Overall, despite the sweltering day in Positano and the not so great food, it was a wonderful day.
This was a men's store ;) love the purse display.
Tomorrow we are going to drive up the Amalfi Coast, we have decided it is too hot to go to Naples and we didn’t want to fight the traffic.
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