Amalfi Coast

 The Amalfi Coast is something not to be missed if you are in Southern Italy.

Click Here for the bus ride from Sorrento to the first city on the Amalfi Coast, Positano.

 Click Here for a quick tour of the city of Positano.

 Click Here for a look at the waterfront in the city of Amalfi.

 Click Here for a look at the city of Amalfi.

 Click Here for a look at an Amalfi funeral.

Click Here for more photos of Amalfi as we prepare to leave.

Click Here for a large number of photos of the drive along the Amalfi Coast.

Amalfi Coast: Traveling from Sorrento to Positano

 We decided to take a SITA bus to see the Amalfi coast. In Sorrento, the bus station is co-located with the Circumvesuviana train station. We had a little bit of trouble communicating in order to purchase a bus ticket, and a bit of trouble understanding the bus schedule but eventually it worked out and we made our way to a long line, waiting for the next bus. I was standing in that line when I took this photo.

 There are many other buses coming and going, so it is best to ask around to ensure you are standing in the right line. Several times, we saw people who had been waiting 10 to 15 minutes finally figure out they were in the wrong line.

 But eventually we did get on the bus and Nikki found a seat next to a senior woman from the states. She and her female relatives regularly go to Amalfi. Nikki told her about our trouble finding pizza that was different than what we would eat in the US, and the woman gave us some very good advice: Buy from the street vendors - that's where the best pizza is in southern Italy!

 Now, a few photos of the scenery along the drive to our first stop on the Amalfi coast, Positano.

Amalfi Coast: The City of Amalfi Waterfront

 The main road along the Amalfi Coast, SS163, changes names as it winds it's way along the coast. By the time the road reaches the city of Amalfi, it is called Via Matteo Camera and passes by the small Amalfi bay.

 There are many buses lined up in the parking lot by the bay, and as we stepped off and away from the bus, this is the first thing we saw. Fairly picturesque, in an industrial sort of way.

 I took the chance to take this photo of Nikki with the city of Amalfi in the background. The rows of buses is directly behind me at this point.

 I snapped a few more photos of Amalfi from this location.

 It is just as lovely as it looks.

 A fishing boat passes by on the waterfront.

 This building is intriguing as it appears to be undergoing some sort of remodeling, with a massive amount of scaffolding around it.

 Let's walk along the bayfront and take a few photos.

 A restaurant right on the water. We usually skip lunch while on vacation, but standing an hour in the sun had made us hungry, so we started looking for a place to get a snack. We did not stop at this restaurant as it smelled seafoody and nothing from the ocean touches Nikki's lips. It is a long-standing rule she has.

 A few of the bus parking with Amalfi in the background.

 Now, all the photos I've ever seen of Amalfi show immaculate buildings, and there are definitely plenty of those, to be sure. But there are also places that look like they could use a little sprucing up, as the peeling paint on these buildings demonstrate.

 I'm not sure what the interior of these buildings look like, but judging from their exterior a remodel may be due. And note the obligatory Italian laundry hung on the balconies.

Lots of sea out there.

 A curious little rock formation. Do you suppose they removed the rest of the rock for the buildings and walkways but left this sliver?

 A quick peek at the scaffolding framed in an appealing way.

 Nikki politely carrying my red camera bag. What a woman!

 So I take a photo of her...

 Finally we get to the Amalfi "beach". Not much of a beach, but visitors are making due with what is there.

It is curious to see the boat dragged aground without a trailer.

Amalfi Coast: The City of Amalfi

 From the waterfront, we cross the street and find a cafe that bordered SS163. Since it was as close to a street vendor as we could find, we ordered pizza to test the old bus lady's theory and was she ever right! Delicious! As we basked in the sun, relaxing now that our hunger was satisfied, we began to watch the people. There was an Italian teen enjoying the afternoon with his girlfriend and their chihuahua puppy.

  There was the gentleman driving the electric cart, getting a very fine glimpse of the woman in the pink dress as tourists waited in line in behind him.

There was this colorful fellow chatting with a cabbie and apparently catching me taking is photograph.

We then start walking further into the city and immediately this beautiful building comes into view. This is the only building in Amalfi that I had read about before we started the trip. It is the Amalfi Duomo, or Duomo d'Amalfi.

 The current structure was built in 1203, though there was a previous structure on the site as far back as the 9th century. During this era, Amalfi was a powerful sea-republic.

 Many mosaics line the front of the building and the bronze doors were cast in Constantinople in 1066. The building contains a crypt built in 1253 which is reportedly well worth seeing, but we did not go in...you'll have to find out why in another post.

 Out front is the Piazza del Amalfi with this fountain as the centerpiece. Visitors can't help but gather here in the refreshing atmosphere.

 As with most areas, it would be almost deserted then out of nowhere would come a crowd of people.

 On one side of the piazza stands this building.

 Note the amusing water spouts used for the fountain.

 Well what do you know, another Fiat 500! Luigi would be proud. I don't remember seeing it at the time, but the photo also shows a stoplight. Why it is there, I do not know as I don't recall a cross street there.

 The main street that runs perpendicular to SS163 and goes up into the hills is Via del Duomo. This narrow street was built centuries ago before anyone had even considered the possibility of motorcars. Therefore, pedestrians mingle with autos and motorcycles which, for Americans unused to such situations, can lead to dicey moments.

 I believe this is a sidestreet off of Via del Duomo.

 If one follows Via del Duomo long enough it takes you into the hills and farmland. But this is about as far as we went, nowhere near the farms. Someone has created a nice little complex for their residence.

 I found this vehicle interesting so I took a photo. Little did I know why it was there...you'll have to read about it in the Duomo post.

 One of the many mopeds that zigged it's way through the crowds.

Fresh baked Italian goods! Delicious! Unfortunately we had just had our pizza, otherwise I would have bought a slice of this as it looks marvelous.

 A fruit and vegetable stand. Notice the lemons as we are very near limoncello country.

 Yet another motorcycle.

 ...and another...it is somewhere around here where we found a gelato shop (they are numerous) and purchased two gelatos. This will become important in the next post...

Get a load of the Italian English on this canopy! "Local Typical Food"! What a hoot!