Ever onward – destination Positano

Water taxi back to the station (one more canal ride!) for a fast train to Naples.

Waiting for the water taxi – he’s late – who cares!

Not sure about the actual logistics of getting to Positano – was planning to catch the 6 am train 💤💤💤 .  Helpful ticket officer sorts us out – Venice to Naples 5 hours.  Is something I have overlooked 🤔🤔🤔😩?

Big yes – next leg to Positano – call three shuttle services, not luck – that was because the very helpful Marius was waiting for my call with my fourth attempt  😳) Called, booked with email confirmation, offered stop over at Pompeii -perfecto!   … Gotta love a good wifi + phone –  technology rocks !!

At some stages we are flying along at more than 300 kms an hour – drinks (there is always drinks 😬) hardly move, him still, trying to work out how he feels about it.  Enough talk about bogies and tracks to soothe him himself -still  not convinced.  

And standing at the station is Marius, sign with our names, with water in the car for us, Bellissimo! Heat haze covers the Bay of Naples but can see the majestic Mount Vesuvius in the distance. Naples – between the station and Pompeii – has a dusty appeal, but am taken aback to see massive areas of shanty towns of refugees. Always amazed how Italians seem to find at least a small space to plant a productive gardener tomatoes, herbs and olives at the very least. 

Arrive Pompeii – Maurius drops us at Porta Marina  and stresses to come out the same way otherwise we may be lost forever …. Especially as we only have our camera & water, could be an interesting rest of the trip !  It is also very, very warm ☀️☀️☀️

Fascinated by the bronze statues – obviously as you can see …

 Loved the bath house excavations, the Basillica and amphitheatres 

Him concentrating on getting something of interest in the selfie background – should of been considering the him selfie  face 😍

Manage to find the right entrance to exit ✅ head out towards the Amalfi coast, via the longest (and longest construction time too Maurius tells us) underground tunnel to bypass the weekend traffic; despite there being some very interesting drivers in and out of the tunnel !

Both let out a simultaneous “Wow” as we round the mountain towards Sorrento – every clique, every angle, everywhere – then turn towards the Amalfi coast … More blinding beauty.  Get dropped at the bus stop at the bottom of our Croce – OMG – next time half the luggage or quarters on lower grounds!  Up the hill – then STEPS – met by young couple who mistakenly think they are our hosts.  Before I can properly explain  myself, the young gentleman has grabbed BOTH our bags and hiked up two flights of stairs 😂- big score!

Huff and puff our way to Casa Wanda as directed – met by the lovely  Marianna.  

Spectacular view, great apartment – primary issue, no supplies 😬    Time to try out those stairs …

Off for supplies, drink or two, back down the stairs and the extra 500  stairs to the town for dinner.  

Delicious seafood dinner and THAT view 

Trudge our way back home – way too early to defer to the bus yet ( will rethink that tomorrow!) Looking forward to a slower day – pinching ourselves we woke up in Venice and going to bed in Positano.  Vive l’Italia 🇮🇹