Aug 27, 2009 - 19 Aug 09

19 08 09 – We have been racing between Ischia, Procida and Naples for a week or so now and we had a chance to sit on the transit dock in Capri for a couple of hours, so the boss took us in a taxi all over the island from Anacapri to Capri and back down again. We headed to Amalfi for a couple of nights, and what a pleasure! As we came into the harbour, the double take on the fellow’s face in the assistance tender was priceless and i could see him asking the boss if they would like them to drive it in. ... The last morning in Amalfi, i got talking to the guy on the ground and he gave me a little information about Amalfi and the fact that it was the first republic and has its own flag, which it gave the rights to Malta to copy, which they did but in Red and White instead of Blue and White. ... He explained that he has three names, depending on if he is in trouble or being praised, by which i take he uses his brothers names when he is in deep doodoo.19 08 09 – We have been racing between Ischia, Procida and Naples for a week or so now and we had a chance to sit on the transit dock in Capri for a couple of hours, so the boss took us in a taxi all over the island from Anacapri to Capri and back down again. We headed to Amalfi for a couple of nights, and what a pleasure! As we came into the harbour, the double take on the fellow’s face in the assistance tender was priceless and i could see him asking the boss if they would like them to drive it in. ... The last morning in Amalfi, i got talking to the guy on the ground and he gave me a little information about Amalfi and the fact that it was the first republic and has its own flag, which it gave the rights to Malta to copy, which they did but in Red and White instead of Blue and White. ... He explained that he has three names, depending on if he is in trouble or being praised, by which i take he uses his brothers names when he is in deep doodoo....

Jun 11, 2009 - Egypt recapped (very briefly) and Italy

Overall Egypt was awe inspiring and we would love to fill you in on all the stories but we are writing this to you from a hotel in Amalfi and there is a cue for the internet! We arrived in Italy 4 days ago. ... We did not think much of Rome but are completely captivated by the Amalfi coast. ... We leave Amalfi the day after tomorrow to go back to Rome where we should have a private computer in our apartment and we can, hopefully, upload some terrific shots for you all to have a look at. ...

Apr 30, 2009 - Last day Amalfi

17 degrees-and it is beautiful sunshine in this paradise called Amalfi Rambling around Amalfi is on the menu today. ... In our bus travels we saw that there is a nice outlook about 800 meters up the road that would be perfect to take some photos of Amalfi on a sunny day. ... Another point of interest I found out today is that the Amalfi paper is the only paper used for letters and official documents in the Vatican so if you have received one you know the paper came from here. ... PS on the way to the internet cafe' we saw some of the Amalfi soccer team on ...

Apr 29, 2009 - cont. Ravella and Positano

Wed 29th April---continued:- Ravello and Positano (J) After our little stop at the internet point this morning we decided a change of scenery might be nice, not that there is anything wrong with the scenery around here. Returning back down in Amalfi we just had enough time to roll off one bus and onto another going in the opposite direction—this time the destination was Positano 16/17/18km (depending on which sign you took notice of) away from Amalfi. ... The ferries were running today but we were too late to catch the last ferry to Capri from Amalfi, it leaves at 9:30am and we had gone to the internet point first (thank goodness!!). ... While sitting in the restaurant in Positano we could see the Capri Ferry back itself in along the side of the pier and the attached gangplank was pivoted over onto that pier, a couple of men were standing on the pier hanging on for dear life to the bucking gangplank and people then disembarked, the last disembarkation was a lad with a motorbike.Wed 29th April---continued:- Ravello and Positano (J) After our little stop at the internet point this morning we decided a change of scenery might be nice, not that there is anything wrong with the scenery around here. Returning back down in Amalfi we just had enough time to roll off one bus and onto another going in the opposite direction—this time the destination was Positano 16/17/18km (depending on which sign you took notice of) away from Amalfi. ... The ferries were running today but we were too late to catch the last ferry to Capri from Amalfi, it leaves at 9:30am and we had gone to the internet point first (thank goodness!!). ... While sitting in the restaurant in Positano we could see the Capri Ferry back itself in along the side of the pier and the attached gangplank was pivoted over onto that pier, a couple of men were standing on the pier hanging on for dear life to the bucking gangplank and people then disembarked, the last disembarkation was a lad with a motorbike....

Apr 29, 2009 - Amalfi Cathedral

While at the bus stop we met some fellow travelers from Dublin, Deidre and Adrian who ended up going to Amalfi so we spent the rest of a very pleasant day with them. ... The bus trip back to Amalfi was just as spectacular as our earlier journey, we have taken at least 60 photos from the bus but most of them are only relevant to us, we posted the Readers’ Digest version for you to see on the journal yesterday. ... On arrival back at Amalfi we decided to join Deidre and Adrian for a visit to the Duomo, Deidre also reminded me that as there is a Duomo (Cathedral) here, Amalfi must be a city. ... The Cathedral of Amalfi is one of the ‘must see’ things to do while on the Amalfi Coast. ... The first part you enter is the ‘Cloister of Paradise’, built between 1266 and 1268 and it is the ancient cemetery for the noblemen of Amalfi. ...

Apr 27, 2009 - Wandering around Amalfi

This morning we climbed up to the top level of Amalfi where there is a paper museum and saw a lot of the students lined up to go in. ... Amalfi has been famous for its’ paper making since the 15th century and many famous foreign authors had their books published in Naples so that the high quality paper made in Amalfi would be used. ... While up at the top level we also saw that a lot of those buildings are unlived in and are ripe for restoration---it is a good thing that we don’t live around here permanently or I might get ideas!! Amalfi is also one of the first four major sea ports in Italy, dating back to about 400 AD if my memory stands correct in. ...

Apr 26, 2009 - Rome to Amalfi

Sun 6thApril 2009 Weather:-Overcast 17-20 degrees Pick up car Rome Airport drive to Amalfi (302km) (2:56h) OH, WE FINALLY FEEL AS IF WE ARE ON HOLIDAY NOW. ... He drove us the 15km to their depot and within 10 min we were on our way—Herman driving along the A1 towards Naples to Amalfi. ... The Amalfi Coast the sign read, turn left Tom-Tom said—that was the beginning of the next twenty five fun filled kilometers. ... We followed the twisting turning narrow road all the way to Amalfi, on the right a sheer rocky mountain face and on the left a 3 foot high 1 ½ foot thick concrete barrier over which we could see the Thyrrhenian Sea. ... We finally made it to the middle of the Amalfi Center Roundabout--it was chaos--large tourist busses, cars, and motor bikes looking for a park. ...

Apr 22, 2009 - Amalfi

The Amalfi Coast Road We navigated out of Rome and onto the freeway to make our way to our last Italian stop, the Amalfi Coast. ... Well, we quickly realized this Amalfi Coast road is special. ... We had a reservation at a hotel just outside Amalfi, approximately 18 km off the main hiway which took us the best part of an hour to reach. ... The road constantly weaves back and forth along the south cliff face of the Amalfi pennisula. ... Pompeii The Amalfi peninsula is less than an hour away from the city of Naples. ...

Jun 5, 2008 - Amalfi Coast

I was going to go to Foggia today, but plans did not fall through, so I decided to go to the Amalfi Coast. ... From Salerno I took a bus ride to Amalfi. ... A sight to see though! I reserved a room for the night at A Scalinatella in Atrani, the town 100 meters before Amalfi. ... Beautiful place and not as touristy as Amalfi and right on the beach! Spent the rest of the day with Dave walking through Amalfi and Atrini and along the coast taking some great pictures. ... Met a girl on the street today that was from Seattle and she landed a job in Amalfi at a bed and breakfast for the summer throught word of mouth from Naples. ...

Dec 28, 2007 - A day in Amalfi

From in front of our hotel we could take a bus back into Amalfi then transfer to others that would take us up and down the coast. ... On one of our trips into Amalfi we started up between the buildings in narrow passageways on old, cobblestone stairs. ... As we climbed higher and higher we could finally look out over the bell tower to the sea.From in front of our hotel we could take a bus back into Amalfi then transfer to others that would take us up and down the coast. ... On one of our trips into Amalfi we started up between the buildings in narrow passageways on old, cobblestone stairs. ... As we climbed higher and higher we could finally look out over the bell tower to the sea....

Dec 27, 2007 - Sorrento & Amalfi

Then jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea is a mountain range forming the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast. ... At Amalfi (the town) we got off and found the bus that would stop at where we wanted to go, but this time was told to go to upper Furore. ... Until the early 1900's, the Amalfi Coast was cut off from the mainland by the rugged, high mountains and transportation was by boat only. ... The only comparisons we can make to the housing are the pueblos of New Mexico but these on the Amalfi Coast are built on step hillsides, not flat land. ...

Jul 4, 2007 - 07 07 04 Day trip to Almalfi

Good Morning, We had hoped to walk down with Sera to fetch Roberto the little boy she babysits, but were too late again at 8am, she had already left for he Amalfi beach. ... So, we are on our own to wander through the tourist town of Amalfi to look at the trinket shops and to swim at the sandy beach. ... Brian wanted to stop for an Americano coffee.Good Morning, We had hoped to walk down with Sera to fetch Roberto the little boy she babysits, but were too late again at 8am, she had already left for he Amalfi beach. ... So, we are on our own to wander through the tourist town of Amalfi to look at the trinket shops and to swim at the sandy beach. ... Brian wanted to stop for an Americano coffee....