Ascending in Atrani

In August last year, Jo and I stayed in beautiful little 3 bedroom home stuck to the side of the hill in Atrani, right next to Amalfi, and below Ravello. We stayed there with 2 other couples for a week, and it was a very special part of our stay in Italy. Not unlike the rest of Italy, climbing steps is a daily routine. I fell in love with the labyrinth of steps throughout the Amalfi coast and would love to return one day before I am too old to tackle them with gusto. From the piazza, below the road, where we needed to go for our regular alcohol or coffee fix, and the occasional feed, there were quite a number of steps to our rooms. I loved going up and down them, but they weren’t for everybody. This post aligns with the wordpress weekly photo entry

Solitude in a crowd

Back in August and September I travelled to Italy. It had a great affect on me then and now. Yes, it was a first visit to Europe and we had to go to where all the tourists go. But here in Australia I can find solitude whenever I want it. I forget how much I treasure it. Early in our holiday I was jetlagged and resisting adjusting. I just got up early; no-one was up.

Later I found I could find quiet places that the tourists didn’t like much. Like on the back walk at Villa Cimbrone, Ravello

It was more difficult to escape the crowds in Naples, Florence, Lucca, Pisa and Cinque Terra. I gave in to the wonders of the art, and sheer beauty of these places. By the time I arrived at Bolzano I needed my space.

At Venice I caught the vaporetto over to Lido, hired a bicycle and rode to the south tip of the island. Yeah this will do.Back in Rome a few days later I found solitude in a crowd. In the middle of a busy day at the Colosseum. It was there all the time, I just needed fine tuning. Added for WPC solitude.

Doors in Italy

Pontone

Positano

Ravello

Atrani

Atrani

Firenze

Lucca

Lucca

Lucca

Pisa

Siesi, Il Dolomiti

Some doors I stopped to take snaps of in Italy

Blue Grotto Shine. Isle of Capri

Back in September 2016 I visited the Isle of Capri, near the Amalfi Coast in Italy. We visited the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) on our journey around the island. It was still very much the early shoulder season, and the weather was perfect, so the flocks were out to see this natural wonder. I thought it maybe a tourist con, but it was very impressive. The blue shine in the grotto is due the red light from the sun being filtered out  by the water in the narrow entrance. If you choose to visit, do not be bullied into paying a tip to the boatmen. Ours suggested that is was mandatory to pay him, sang for only half of the time others were singing, and threatened me (jokingly) for not giving him a tip. Others may not get the joke.The Isle of Capri can be an exxy place to visit. Plan well and you can do it relatively cheaply. Did I plan well? No. But I did enjoy the day. Either catch the Circumvesuviana from Naples to Sorrento and travel by boat from there or go direct from Naples. By all means, do stay in Naples, as it is a wonderful city. We came over from Amalfi. If I was to return, I would consider staying in a B&B and having a good look at the island.

Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge

In Italy I saw a lot of art. Ancient art, renaissance art and modern art. Now it’s no secret that penises, breasts and bums are everywhere in all of this art. It became a tad passé after awhile. When I visited the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, I was overwhelmed by the art. So much so that I began to glaze over. Here I was in one of the greatest art galleries on this planet and I was getting bored. What the? I resolved this issue by associating sayings, conversations, or songs with the art. I enjoyed every minute after that. For Cee’s odd ball.
Does anyone know the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song Free Falling?

Italian Enlightenment

My recent trip to Italy was full of enlightenment.
My bald head does not get sunburnt if I forget to wear my hat
Old human things. Much evidence of incredible effort, patience, loyalty and subservience.
Wine tastes so good. Food tastes so good. Fresh.
There are as many varieties of formaggio there as how many more days I need to spend there when I return.
Stunningly beautiful ethnic group; both men and women.

Pisa

Many sadnesses too. What country does not have them.
Some trains go fast. Some slow. Take your pick.
Such beauty, everywhere I went.
Trump can take a running jump.

Return trip from Capri

Burano

Some of the less known columns at the Forum

Il Dolomiti

Good place for a snooze – Pisa

Good place for a snooze

H2O Italy

Water influences me wherever I go. The sea, fountains, mountain streams, clouds. Where would we all be without this wonderful stuff?

Italy was particularly special for water. With a beautiful coastline, wonderful lakes and rivers, and very potable drinking water. Added for word press photo challenge

Venice

While in Italy it was easier to say Venezia, Roma, Napoli etc. Now back in Australia, I am happy to revert to the anglicised names.

Is Venice special? Of course it is. It is an extraordinary place. If I was to return to Italy would I return to Venice? I don’t think so. I feel that Venice is being hammered, and needs to be continued to be hammered for its survival. While we were there, some locals were protesting at the number of tourists. I’m sure a lot of the traders do not see it that way. I’ll never see anything like it again. I want that memory to remain positive.

Time exposed canal.

Gondolas, more f-ing gondalas

Jo got to climb a bell tower at Chiesa San Giorgio Maggiore

San Marco and palazzo ducali

Looking towards Lido and the Adriatic

Time weary canal

Journey to Italy Aug/Sep 2016

I tried to update while I was on holidays. I think I was successful once, in Lucca. Then I wiped the tablet’s memory and I could not remember the WP password. That was the end of that. Apologies for facebook friends who have seen some of these pics. I won’t over do it; just a few favourites.

Pre sunrise, Atrani

View from high above Atrani

Coast road – scary

Collegiata Santa Maria Maddalena

Great weather for a dip