Capri Sun

Work with kids long enough, and the first thing you think of when you hear the word Capri is a sugary juice drink in a metallic pouch with a plastic straw that you jab into the pouch.  Not a soul we saw on the island of Capri was drinking a Capri Sun, though.  You’d think there would at least be one vendor selling them for novelty’s sake.  

Capri was, apparently, the domain of goats long, long ago.  Now, it appears to be an island of three things- tourists, people who need you to see how pretty they are and stray cats.  In fact, we’ve seen a few stray cats in Sorrento, one in Pompeii and a couple in Capri.  Honestly, I would have found the goats more interesting. We got an early start today and headed to the ferry boat that took us to Capri from Sorrento.  Off the ferry, we met up with our local guide, Francesca.  She was very good, and the first place she took us was a private boat with a captain named Vincenzo.  He kicked off his flip-flops and with bare feet took us all around the rocky coastline, showing us the different grottoes and features on the island.  It was gorgeous.  

The day honestly could have ended there, and we would have been happy, but Francesca took us up on a funicular This was our second funicular on this trip and our third ever, so we’re getting to be pretty used to these things.  Up we went, and on to the walking tour.  Fun fact, there is no shade up top- no trees to speak of are growing, so it’s a lot of Capri Sun.  We saw some great views, then we were kind of herded to a restaurant for lunch.  Our local guide assured us the food was good and the prices were reasonable, and most important all, that they had room for our whole group.  It was pretty mediocre, if I’m being honest.  Next time a local guide is that adamant about a restaurant for a whole group, I think we’ll make our own way.  

After the restaurant, we were given time to shop.  Cas and I aren’t much for shopping especially when directed to do so, so we wandered around in the afternoon sun, looking for spaces with less people in them.  When we found what I assume is some resident’s alley, we didn’t see any other humans for a whole five minutes.  It was kind of amazing.  We really could have cut an hour out of the time we were up there and been just as happy.  When it was time to take the funicular back down, we were packed in a crowded, hot space, waiting to board, when a guide from a different tour got everyone’s attention and said that a song was written to inspire people to use funicular car.  He asked everyone to clap, then he sang Funiculi Funicula quite beautifully.  I recorded a little audio, and I will put it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mpVi_AxTid_UjRLyJWMGukZEnesau_VZ/view?usp=drivesdk

When we got back on the ferry, then back on the shuttle and finally, back to the hotel, we all kind of went our separate ways to cool off and catch a quick nap.  Jeff and Reema organized a shuttle, and Cas and I went with them to the main square of Sorrento for dinner.  We wanted to walk around in the city proper, and we just hadn’t done that yet.  We had a lovely meal at a very relaxed pace, did a little wandering and headed back to the shuttle meetup point.

Tomorrow, we have a very, very early departure for Rome.  We have to get out of Sorrento before the morning rush hour makes it nearly impossible to travel the roads, and when we get to town, we have a nearly immediate walking tour that includes the Colosseum.  Rome is our last stop.  When we get all done there, we head back home and get back to our lives.  For now, we’re zipping up our luggage and getting ready for one last spot.  Good night.  

And here, again, are our photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PR6jn1ZzhDS6cx8q8