Capri
We next join our intrepid adventurers as they join a boat headed to the Isle of Capri…
The day began, as all of our adventuring days have this trip, with a light rain and wind blowing in from the Mediterranean. This wind has been making the Tyrrhenian sea a confused body of water. The seas have been running 3-6 feet with a brisk warm wind.
We joined our ferry at the town of Amalfi and headed out into the brisk sea. A little disappointed that the crew would not allow anyone on the upper observation deck due to the dangerous nature of the motion of our boat. We wound up standing near the bow in the enclosed cabin (no seats available) and dreading the 70 minute ride to Capri. A few minutes out from the dock I see a crewman give a couple folks the okay to go up on the deck…I look at him and he gives us the high sign after watching us walk from the front of the boat to the back ladder well without falling in the wildly pitching aisle. He admonishes us to “walk low and go slow” as we duck beneath the rope closing off the upper deck. The wind is refreshingly brisk with some spray coming aboard and we both get choice seats along the starboard rail where the best views of the Amalfi Coast are. We are joined by maybe ten other travelers who are willing to brave the weather deck for a chance to experience the sights and smells of the sea.
After hugging the coastline to give us the best views, our skipper heads us into the Capri passage and around the south side of the island. We see the shoreline along the way and he sails us around the Faraglioni islands. There is a passage through one of the islands that smaller vessels can navigate.
We then head back around and dock at the Marina Grande where we disembark and head to the Biglietti and get our tickets for the Funicular ride up to Capri town. We get off the car and the views are indeed breathtaking. The sight soars from our height down to the marina and across the bay of Naples to the heights of Vesuvius. This is truly awesome. We both stand and take in the vista, speechless…
We have some lunch in Capri at a great little restaurant with a fabulous view of the bay of Naples
and then head off in the van sized bus to Anacapri for some shopping and more sightseeing. The only drag bout the entire thing is the wait for the bus. These things only hold about 30 people and that is if you use olive oil to grease everyone up to fit in the nooks and crannies. An interesting way to travel as the drivers think they are in Indy cars and the roads are the width of one and a half cars. This means often slamming on the brakes and wildly careening around some curves. A firm handhold on the rails in the bus is appropriate at all times.
We got to Anacapri safely, despite the Mario Andretti aspersions of our driver and got off the bus for some exploring. A couple of souvenirs later we sat down for our pastry/caffe afternoon rest
and then back to the bus stop for the long wait to get back to the marina for our boat ride home.
With a little time to kill, we spent it walking around Marina Grande. This little area is very heavily touristy with the typical souvenir shops and hawkers in the street trying to lure you in. The marina itself is beautiful and we got some great photos of the actual fishing fleet that lives here. The restaurants looked great but we didn’t participate as it was time to get back on the boat for Amalfi.
I hope you enjoyed this little tour of Capri.
Catch our next adventure from the hill town of Ravello to Atrani…walking down 5 trillion steps.
Anyone who is interested: The cameras used are a combination of my Samsung S7 phone, Nikon coolpix L120 point and shoot and the Gopro Hero 7 Black on a chest clamp.
BFD