Sorrento & a visit to the Isle of Capri

After leaving Pompeii mid-afternoon, we drove back through Naples and then on to Sorrento, where we had incredible fun, which I think we needed. 

Naples was a little sobering, because there was so much evidence of poverty - run-down, crowded buildings and even a gypsy encampment near the roadway. Apparently it had been set up after they were moved on from another place where they had been squatting. A hard life for their children. 

We were glad to leave that port city. We gasped, however, at the steep drop from the road as we drove into Sorrento, with houses precariously balanced on the sides and on top of the cliffs. Yet again the bus could not get near the hotel. That night we went for a fun dinner at an award-winning restaurant in the nearby township further up the cliffs. What  hairy ride that was, but the views were spectacular when we were driving back, with all the ‘fairy lights’ below us. We had a great singer that night, who had many of our group up dancing and all of us singing and clapping along. (I previously mentioned this in a post about Florence.) 

The next morning we were up early to catch one of the first ferry boats across to the Isle of Capri, which was about an hour away. To get down onto the beach we had to catch an elevator that was situated in a little park near the hotel. 

Luckily the day was very sunny and the water fairly calm, though when we boarded a small launch at the pier on the Isle, the waves were quite rough. The launch took us around much of the base of the Isle, supposedly to see the rainbow colours of the water, but it was too rough to distinguish more than two colours. We were astonished at the height of the cliffs, though. We also saw the opening of a cave where some coral growing on the rock face could be seen when the water level was on a ‘down’.  

The view of the village at the water's edge from the boat as we returned was wonderful - a picture postcard of pastel-coloured buildings, some climbing up the steep cliffs, and others right down to the water’s edge. 

We then piled into open-top taxis and were driven half-way up the cliff along very narrow winding roads to another small and equally picturesque village. From there we walked through the village down to their botanical gardens, which were about a mile or so away. There was lookout at the other end of the gardens overlooking the ocean - what a stunning view! 

After the long climb back up to the village square and some delicious lunch, our next treat was to descend to the lower village and the launch to take us back - on a funicular! What an experience that was, and not at all scary. 

All in all, a great morning! I can well understand why so many people like to stay on the Isle of Capri.

The first three photos were taken from the coach whilst moving. 

Overlooking Naples, with Mt Vesuvius the background. 

Looking down at Sorrento. 

More of Sorrento.

On the beach at Sorrento.

Another view of Sorrento from the beach. The elevator saved a lot of steps! Notice all the motor scooters - the roads are too narrow for most vehicles.

View of the main township on the Isle of Capri.

Looking up at the cliffs on our trip around the base of the island.

An archway in a free-standing tall rock along the cliffs.  Our launch had just passed through it.

Another view of the lower village - from our launch.

An exclusive hotel at the upper village that we visited.

A path along the side of the botanical gardens.

The island residents pride themselves on their unique perfumes and their 'Capri watches', which some of our group purchased.

The spectacular view from the botanical gardens.This shows the beautiful colours of the water around there. And this is from only half-way up the island.

Part of the botanical gardens.

At another hotel along the streets of the upper village.