We took the boat back

Despite not sleeping well last night, we woke up at 5;45 local time and headed out the door to catch an early bus to the Amafi coast. It was actually only about a 90 minute trip, but if you dont go early it is a mob scene. They have 48 seats, and then people stand in the aisle(room for about 25 more) So, we wanted to get out early. We were running a bit late as we walked to the station, and we had to run some. This was not exciting to Janna who was already sweating in the 85 degree 6am heat. Ouch.

Needless to say, we did beat the rush (The next bus left at a more travel friendly time of 8:30). So, we got a seat right at the front, and didnt need to put in our fantastic itallian motion sickness gum until about 4 minutes into the trip. So, with our breath smelling good, we headed out. The trip was amazing and a bit frightful. I dont know how there arent more fatalities on the road the way that people drive here. On this trip, it was winding and at the edge of a cliff, but that is not what made it unique. What really was the trip was that the road was the size of one normal U.S. lane. We were in a coach bus. When we passed other coach busses, they squeezed by. We were frequently passed by people on scooters. When the bus came to a blind curve, it honked its horn as it approached. Although the horn was more like an air horn than a car horn, this (in our ever so humble US opinion) is still perhaps not an adequate traffic control measure.

So, the ride was memorable, and to be honest the traffic was light at that hour, so we arrived in Amalfi in good shape. We bought a hiking map and beat the now 90 degree heat and started hiking before it got hot. We got a spectacular view from the top of the trail, and with minimal wandering, made it back for both a swim and to catch our ride back. Despite the fact that we had a round trip ticket, we took the ferry back (about $30 total). It was smooth, fast, windy, and beautiful. And, since we took the 12:30 ferry, we beat the traffic. (Sometimes it seems we travel like we are 70, but maybe old people just know enough to leave early).

We enjoyed a siesta after being turned away from the grocery store (it closed for siesta at 1:20 and we showed up at 1:30 looking for food). So, if you cant beat them, join them. We cooked a delicous dinner, and now that it is 7:00 and the heat is STARTING to break, we are going to enjoy the town. We get most of a day here before taking bus straight to the Naples airport and leaving for London. We wont get to London until late in the night(ah what we have learned about flying on cheap airlines. We have quite the trip across london becuase we are flying into Stanstead instead of Heathrow) , so for sure dont expect anything tomorrow.

But we feel ready to tackle London. They mostly speak English there. (Although Janna keeps insisting it is a different dialect of English than American English) How tough can it be to cross the city? (Sounds like a topic for the next blog)