Positano - May 16th

We are up earlier than we expected – sun is attempting to shine – what will do today? - we agree  that we don’t care!  - lets take the ferry to Positano!

We wander out the door to the port – we are experts now – it is 8:37 – we buy tickets – the tickets say departure time is 8:35 – we drift down to terminal 4 –  we board the ferry – she departs at 9:00 – so much for the accuracy of departure information – in some weird Italian way departure time probably refers to the time you must leave the ticket booth in order to get on the ferry before departure!

The ferry is a high speed cat – we board to find a paucity of fellow passengers – some on the upper observation deck – a tiny number in the large enclosed cabin space at water level – the boat fires up - the water swirls blue as she is turned – her wake white as she is pointed out into sea – once into the Mediterranean the water is choppy but boat ride smooth - she gets up to speed in an instant and tracks the shore at respectable displacement along the Amalfi Coast towards Positano – this is close to heaven – look up at the steep cliffs of the Amalfi Coast– look at the renowned road that clings to the cliffs of the shoreline – as delightful as the multitude of previous travellers have reported!

In 30 minutes the engines cut back – we approach Positano.

Off on to the shore - we realise that we may well have arrived in Positano with a incorrect understanding of the meaning of the term "a dog's life" - we photograph a local doing his thing!

We wander the port area – we tackle the steep shop, hotel and restaurant lined walkways that lead upwards and upwards from the port – we give up after just half the climb! – we seek sanctuary in restaurant right adjacent to the dark sand that is the beach of Positano – the view is a delight – sun lounges – boats – paddle boards – great views of the villas perched on the cliff to form Positano – interested al fresco restaurants – a delightful place.

Rejuvenated we set out to explore the steep lane ways of the little town – we are reminded of Bellagio on the shores of Lake Como – Positano a little less commercially intense – a little less photogenic but an absolute delight nevertheless.

We end our climb up through Positano at the bus stop on Amalfi Coast Road – we will take land transport back to Sorrento.

The bus is crowded – the competition to board intense – by some quirk of fate we score the last seats on the very back row – we score the left hand seats – a perfect view over the Mediterranean – the bus stops at the next village – more people come onboard – they take their position standing in the aisle holding for dear life as the bus negotiates the harp bends of the coast road – old women – old men stand while young people sit – the seated frown as the swaying mid-70’s lady accidently bumps them – not a thought that they might rise from their seat and make it available to her.

Watch out the side of the bus with awe at the view – watch out the side of the bus with consternation at the miniscule dimensions of the gap between the bus and the passing traffic – be amazed at the way in which the drivers cooperate to allow two giant, passenger laden commuter buses to pass on the narrow carriageway.

Back in Sorrento – a delightful day – I now know why people speak with such generosity about the touristic offerings of the Amalfi Coast.

This is slow tourism – we resolve to repeat this day again tomorrow – this time a ferry to Amalfi and bus to Ravello – we dine down the via on sardines and pasta.