Amalfi and Capri

Pompei and the AMALFI COAST

we caught the Frecciarossa train from Rome to Naples, then the local train to Sorrento, we stopped at Pompei and spent hours exploring the buried village, was amazed at how similar the needs of people of 79AD are to us today eg brothels, takeaway shops bakeries and sports arenas.
We continued on to Sorrento where we caught the Sita bus to Praiano what an experience bikes buses cars tooting and passing on very narrow stretches and the views where amazing houses built on rocks overlooking the blue Mediterranean.
The cassa stella marina was like all our previous accomadation a little out of the ordinary and so was Guiseppe!! the motel owners brother
Day one we had a later start and then explored Praiano and the ceramic and lemoncello shops then onto Amalfi where we discovered more ceramics and Lemoncello and after lots of tasting we all purchased bottles of Lemoncello, then back to Praiano on the Sita bus and out to tea at the local pizzeria  the Trattoria S Gennara we shared a pizza and a lovely bottle of merlot.
Day two was up early and our taxi driver drove us up into the mountains over 600mtrs above sea level to Bomerano, where they make the best mozzarella and the Grand Furore wine and this was the start of the Walk of the Gods, the views were amazing we saw vineyards on steep hills, goats been herded along, mules carrying building supplies and cyclamens growing wild, after a hot few hours we stopped for lunch in a cool grotto, then onwards we went, finally getting to Positano where we had a downward climb of 1500 steps, we looked around Positano then home for a shower and of to Vivaldos for an amazing meal of salad fish then tuna and of course our usual bottle of Prossecco
Day Three We caught a local taxi boat from Praiano to Capri our lovely captain showed us all the sights along the way through holes in rocks to little caves with orange like sponge growing and the blue Grotta Azzurra , where the little boats take you into the cave, to the house owned by Sophia Loren, we just loved Capri and on arriving sat and had coffee and bruschetta and cake, we then shopped for coral necklaces earings and cameos and scarves, we caught the venicular tram to the top and had a wine and lemon juice and a wander around, by then it was time to meet our captain for our journey back to Praiano though on the way we stopped in a lovely cave and we all swam, the water was cold but refreshing, we had our last meal back at Esmereldos next door to the Cassa Stella Marina, then home to pack for our early taxi ride to Salerno where we were catching the Frecciarossa to Rome then home to New Zealand.
We all agreed the the Amalfi coast was magic and we would go back with the husbands

Day 3 in Rome

Today we went to the Vatican city. First we went into San Pietro.  The queue snaked all he way around the Piazza but amazingly was quite quick moving so didn't take too long to get in. The church is amazing! huge! Very ornate and full of statues. We found our way it eventually through the crypt which was quite simple and lovely. It houses all the dead popes in ornate sacophagos. Then we bought some postcards and posted them from the Vatican!  After lunch obligatery glass of wine to fortify us it was on to the Vatican museum and the Sistine chapel (La Cappella Sistina). Words cannot describe it - it is awe inspiring! We could not take photos of the Sistine. Someone was always going shshshshshshshshsh and telling people off for trying to take a sneaky photo. Not us! It is beautifully but we were all standing like mere cats with our eyes to the ceiling trying to mark it on our memories for when we had to leave. Every Inch of the chapel is painted.  Once out of there we caught a bus back to our whare where Janine and Kerry are zzzzzzing. To wake up for dinner!

ReSecond day in Rome

Today we went to the Colosseo and on the way we found a beautiful corner of the park adjacent to the colosseo and enjoyed a glass of wine in the sun. Yes it was only lunch time! The colosseo was pretty amazing. The reason for the wine stop was that we were quite tired from wandering through the Santa Maria Maggiore and then along all the streets looking at everything. From the Colosseo we went to the forum and then over the river Tiber to the ancient part of Rome.it was very pretty with lots of restaurants and little shops. I bought a pair of amber and silver earnings there. Outside the restaurants they has musicians playing. In fact everywhere we went we came across the same musicians as if they were following us. We visited more lovely churches. Then back across the river we went and caught a bus back to our corner of Rome. Our feet were killing us! It was getting quite late so we had a rest in our room before heading out to a local restaurant called Babbos specialising in fish. Kerry and I had shrimp Risotto and Janine had sea bass and vegetables. We also had bruschetto with eggplant and bruschetto with tomato to start. Our food was accompanied by a really nice bottle of prosecco. For desert Kerry had a gin sorbet, I had custard with pastry and chocolate chips and Janine had tirumisu. We all agree it is the best meal so far. Janine reckons it is the best in her life! So all in all a good way to celebrate my 52nd birthday! We didn't go mouth to dinner until 10pm. Bedtime was midnight! What a life aye!

Rome day 1

Today we walked and walked. First of all we went around the corner from where we are staying to a Pizza and pastra restraurant and had lunch as we had been up since 5am to get to the airport outside of Paris and the Ryanair flight to Rome. Our accommadation is not what you would call a hotel, more like a bed and breakfast. It is called "A Place in Rome" and difficult to find because there was no sign hung outside to let you know you are in the right place.  We stumbled upon the owner lurking outside as he was expecting 3 ladies.  He then led us up the marble stairs to the top floor of the building that houses private apartments.  The reception counter is right outside our door to our bedroom. There are 3 other rooms as well.  It is small but adequate with a great shower but quite strange to lie in bed and hear other people check in and out right outside our door. James, the owner is very charming and talkative with lots of advice that was usefull.  For breakfast we go down to the road, across the cobbled street and up a lift to the 2nd floor where breakfast was laid out.  we had a toasted sandwich, ham for Janine and me and cheese for Kerry, then a pot of yoghurt and a fruit tart, rounded off with orange juice and coffee.  What was strange is that our host James and the maid Rosa both stood and watched us eat. James talked all the time.  Outside the french doors we could see the neighbours roofs and washing lines. It was very picturesque. OK back to our first day. We walked to the trevi fountain and the Spanish steps, on the way stopping at the presidents Palace to look at the exhibition on there. It was wonderfull and we were inspected by a very tall security man that looks like he stepped out of the bond movie. We also walked to many Piazza's and up and down lots of streets, been wowed at every turn.  The churches are magnificent. One of the churches we went to on our 2nd day and one of the less opulent but still glorious was the 5th century!