Capri (pronounced CAH-pri) (5/13/09)

So today we woke up fairly early, and strapped on our bags for the long walk down to the Marina in Sorrento. We bought our tickets for the ferry only 5 minutes before it left and had to run to catch it. Once we were on the ferry it was fairly peaceful until we pulled into Capri, where it became a madhouse. Thankfully, there was a man from the JW Marriott (our hotel) who took our bags (and sent them to the hotel) and directed us to get Blue Grotto Tickets.

Unbeknownst to us, we also bought a round trip sightseeing tour of Capri, which turned out great. We started with a trip to the Grotto Azzura (The Blue Grotto). Once there, the boat stops, and we all jump into small rowboats 3 and 4 at a time. (We went in with an Australian couple.) Our boatman pulled us in through the small hole as the swell of the water was at its low point. Once inside, it’s a three minute row around this cave with an amazing blue glow. All the boatmen sing inside as they row us around. I think only one or two pictures came out decent, but the memory will never fade. Of course, after we left, our boatman complained our tip was too small, but that’s par for the course. From there it was a wonderfully scenic trip around the island, along with stops at its other Grottos (including the green grotto), a trip through the arch at the Faraglioni rocks, and incredible views all around.



Once back at the Marina, we took the Funiculare up to the main town of Capri where we saw small streets filled with expensive boutiques. We checked into the hotel and were treated like royalty (it’s good to be a Platinum member). We took the bus up the ‘Mamma Mia’ Road (translated by our boat driver as the ‘Oh My God’ Road) to the smaller town of Anacapri, which was very pleasant, and much quieter. We strolled over to San Michele Chapel to see its famous Majorica Tile floor depicting the story of Genesis. Then we took the chair lift up to Monte Solaro for its commanding views of the island. Lastly, we took a very long hike (in flip-flops) down the side of the island to a small, yet overpriced, private ‘beach’ (Beach=rocks with a ladder into the water). We weren’t there long, but swimming in the shadows of the Faraglioni rocks was amazing and refreshing. It’s too bad the hike back up was so miserable! Tonight we asked the clerk at the hotel desk (a trainee) for a local place to eat that was inexpensive. Antonio directed us to Lo Sfizio, which Lisa and I agree may have been our best, all out meal in Italy thus far. It was fabulous (and inexpensive too!)



The best way to describe Capri, is to take the scenery of Yosemite, the shopping and chic culture of Rodeo drive, and the beach culture of Miami Beach, and combine it all into one. A very memorable experience.

So tomorrow we take the ferry to Naples, and then the train to Orvieto in Umbria. Arrividerci to the south of Italy!