Amalfi Coast: The Road Not Driven

Everyone recommends tourists not attempt to drive the Amalfi Coast road. Rather, one should take a tour, a taxi, and simply get a 24 hour pass on the local bus from Sorrento to Salerno. We opted for the latter--ensuring I'd get to see some of it and Vicki would not have a heart attack--taking the train to Sorrento and then the Sorrento-Salerno bus. It was a hoot. The day began sunny but later turned cloudy and hazy. Not so good for photographs, but just fine for seeing in person. Plus we had a most memorable lunch in Amalfi.

One of the wilder parts of the coast, before

Positano

The islands here mark the end of the Bay of Naples and the

Bay of Salerno; they used to belong to Rudolf Nuryev

Our bus ride was interrupted, pleasantly, by a stop to let a

cycling competition pass

Another view up the coast toward Sorrento

Positano coming into view; the natural aspect of the coast,

when you can see it, is impressive enough; the human,

built aspect--the road, buildings, etc.--nearly overshadows

the natural

Positano, vertical city



One of the many ancient towers along the way, built

to warn of approaching Saracen pirates

Looking back toward Positano

Amalfi (some of it)

12th century church at Amalfi

One of our best lunches ever, at Il Tari in

Amalfi, the paccheri with veal, tomatoes,

onion, provola and pecorino cheese, basil,

etc. I may have to become a pasta fan

The beach at Amalfi; nothing to write home about



Statue of local hero, Flavio Gioia (no relation

to Dana), who improved the compass

Typical traffic encounter--and why I didn't drive