Amalfi Coast ( Italy) 18 July - 25 July

`Thursday 10 July - Thursday 17 July It was a buzy week as I worked all week long at Mile End hospital. Kevin was able to relax and check emails / read / do some swimming / get our foreign currency and to get things organised for our trips.

We organised some cartons and packed some stuff to send home and packed some stuff to leave at Bellerbys which we will pick up later. We said our farewells to the college and the reception area of our accommodation and looked forward to when we would begin this phase. We also saw Mama Mia the movie which we both enjoyed.

Friday 18 July We were up early at 2.00am to catch the bus at 3.00 am to get to Victoria train station to catch the Gatwick Express by 4. 30 am. Checked in OK and flew to Naples , Italy. We arrived at 10.30 am Italian time and met our Tour Director - Lauri. Her English was pretty good and we could understand her.

We headed off to our Hotel in Minori, a 2 hour drive - to the Hotel Villa Romana. It was our first sight of Italy and it was hot. The road took us along the motorway before our drive around the Amalfi coastline to our hotel. Our first view of the coastline was mind blowing, with clear blue sea and mountainous cliffs. Kevin was up out of his seat clicking away at the views along the way.

We settled in at the Hotel and got changed into cooler clothes as it was 30+ degrees! Kevin could not wait to get changed into his togs and went for a quick dip in the pool before we walked over to Maiori ( a 10 minute walk) and had a wander around. Then it was back to our village Minori, and a stroll along the waterfront and then off for a swim back at the hotel.


Down to dinner at 7.30pm and chatting and meeting our other touring people, (13 in this hotel ). We also had a tour Meeting with our lovely Tour Director. Bed at 10 pm as tired out.

Saturday 19 July We slept in till 7.00am just lovely! A free day to spend how we want . After breakfast kevin was into the pool again before we caught the local bus to the town of Amalfi, arriving at 10.00am.

The whole Amalfi coastline is a magnet for the rich and famous ( and us too ) and has been so for 50+years. The road winds past Lemon trees, Olive trees, vineyards and tiny villages clinging to the jagged cliffs that plunge straight into the Mediterrnean sea - Breathtakingly beautiful !

We walked the narrow lanes and saw roses and bougainvillea climb round windows and on balconies and red geraniums in pots. All looking lovely. We saw their Piazzas ( town squares) and romantic churches and loved the "Dolce Vita" architecture.

We headed back to Minori our base and grabbed our swim gear and headed to the beach.We spent a couple of hours there swimming and sunbathing - having to pinch ourselves to remind us that we were actually in Italy!

The beach had a light grey sand and pebbles down to the sea. The sea water is transparent and appears to sparkle. It goes very deep quite sharply. It is also very salty but very clear. We headed back to the Hotel and had a dip in the pool as it was so hot.

Kevin must have swum a few lengths of this small pool by now. We had dinner at 8 pm then went walking out on the promenade as is common for the Italians. We spent some time with a lovely couple on the trip ( Eric and Muriel ) having a couple beers and a good old chat. It was just lovely as the evening was starting to cool off.

Sunday 20 July Up early again at 6.00 am and after breakfast we were away at 8 am to go to Amalfi to catch the ferry over to Capri Island for the day. This involved another magical drive around the coastline into Amalfi town and a boat crossing to Capri. We arrived at 10.00 am. This legendary island is surrounded by exquisitely pretty coves and by translucent green seas.

We had a quick look around the seafront area before walking up the steps to this magical city of Capri high above the sea. We had a quick look over this area before catching the local bus up to Anacapri, going up some very winding cliff roads.

We took the chair lift to Monte Solaro for a breathtaking view of the entire bay of Naples. What an amazing view and we took a few photos before heading back down. The whole area is very beautiful but it is expensive.

We caught the ferry home at 4 pm and arrived back to Minori again by around 6.30 pm and a change / swim in pool before dinner. A relaxing evening and a chance to watch some TV.

Monday 21 July Up at 6.00 am as today we were off to Sorrento via the Amalfitan coast, a beautiful medieval town. We spent 3 hrs browsing through the elegant shops, the Piazza St Antonino and Piazza Tasso and naturally the Marina Piccola ( The beachside area ) The water once again was sparkling clear and transperant and an amazing deep blue colour.

We visited a shop where cameos were made and had a taste of Lemon Liquer ( a popular liquer here in Italy, sold everywhere ) and also saw how inlaid furniture is crafted so it was a fascinating day.

Tuesday 22 July Kevin got a card from the fellow travellers at brekky for his birthday today. Wasnt this just nice.

We were next off to Pompeii for a 2 hour discovery walk back into Roman times. It was absolutely amazing ! We had an excellent guide who had alot of experience so that was neat.

After lunch we headed off to Mt Vesuvius - the only active volcano on mainland Europe. The bus took us 1,100 meters up the mountain and we walked the rest for a view of the crater. It was foggy and the view of Naples was not that wonderful but we did get some good photos before the clouds began to hover above which we knew this meant rain was coming along. A great walk though which was good exercise.

Just before we got to the bus we got caught in a sudden hail storm. The ice balls were the size of marbles and hurt as they hit you, we got drenched through as did some of the others. We got home by 5.30 pm to a welcome shower.

We had tea with everyone, but for dessert they turned the lights out and brought out a huge cake for Kevin with a candle on it and everyone sang happy birthday to him, then we all had a piece each. It was a surprize to me as well as Kevin.

We walked over to Maiori this evening to listen to an outdoor Jazz Concert which was fun. Home by 11.45 pm.

Wednesday 23 July Again up early and off to Ravello - a very pretty town on the coast for our visit to the villa Rufolo. It was built in the 12 century with fantastic views over the bay of Salerno. We spent 3 hours here.

Next we headed to Paestum, were a local guide led a tour of this impressive Greco - Roman site. Amazing Temples, said to be the best preserved Greek Temples in the world. Our guide was a professor at Naples university so we gained a good insight into archeology. Returned home again and had a dip in our pool to cool off. Dinner again at around 7.30 pm for a chat with our fellow travellers.

We again walked over to Maiori ( this time we all made the trip together ) to see another Jazz Concert (Cuban jazz ) It was good value. Home by 11.30 pm.

Thursday 24 July We slept in till 8 am as we had a free morning. We spent it relaxing and swimming in our pool. At 1.30 pm we caught a private launch for a mini cruise along the coast. We called in to the enchanting bay of Cona dei Marini to see the Emerald Grotto - a green cavern with stalagmites and stalactites. A bit of a rip off at 5 Euros pp though.

Next we stopped at the picturesque village of Positano and visited the cathedral and wandered the narrow streets. We had a swim at the beach which was lovely. We spent 2 hrs looking about and then went back via launch again. Arrived back at 7 pm. Had our final dinner altogether tonight.

Friday 25 July Up early as per usual, our last brekky in Minori then transferred to our bus for the 2 hr trip to Naples Airport for our flight back to London. The flight was delayed an hour. We arrived in Gatwick at 4 pm and said goodbyes and gave a few hugs to our fellow travellers. We had a good time together.

We managed to catch the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station pretty much straight away. Then on the underground via the Distict Line to Upton Park tube station. Next we got the No 58 bus to Central Park Road and walked the rest of the way to our accomodation. Kevin had booked this for the next 2 days prior to our next phase ( Scandinavia ) We were pretty tired out, but thoroughly enjoyed our Italian Amalfi Coastline adventure.

Today we went into Walkabout ( An Australian pub on the Embankment alongside the River Thames in Central London ) to watch on TV the All Blacks beaten by the Aussies. What an atmosphere. It was packed with a good mixture of Kiwis and Aussies. Since then we have been updating our blog and checking our emails before an early night.

Tomorrow we head off to Denmark, Norway and Sweden for 12 days and then we have a 9 day rail tour of Switzerland to look forward to. Until next time Aravichi cheers from June and Kevin