Pompeii June 3, 2014

June 3, 2014
We took a cab from Positano to Sorrento  to board our Azamara cruise ship. Met our friends, Myrna and Larry, for breakfast and to plan our day in Sorrento. We chose to take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii and they went on to Herculanium. The ruins of Pompeii are much more extensive than we had imagined. Also, impressed by the city planning especially the provisions for pedestrians (I.e. pedestrians only, water flushes of the streets, elevated steps across the streets to avoid wet feet, one way streets). The city of twenty thousand was extremely well planned with a real cosmopolitan mix of rich and middle class. Back on our ship we had a late lunch at the Pool Grill, sandwiches and wine/beer included. Later at 8:30 we had dinner in the Window Restaurant.

Positano June 2,2014

Positano June 2, 2014
Today is our relaxtion day. After leisurely breakfast we went the beach below our hotel. Spoke to a local couple about politics and economy in Italy. Feedback is that he economy is still bad with a depressed housing market. We went for a cool swim, temperature can't be much above mid 60s On our way back along the sea walk we witnessed strange video being shot of a wedding couple fully clothed swimming in the water while a camera drone hovered over them. Next, their friends are fi lmed jumping into the water and moving them. Must be the latest thing in filming wedding events. We also have witnessed several Japanese wedding parties and photo shoots.  Early dinner of fish and Sicilian white wine. No fire works tonight even though it is Day of the Republic, a national holiday.Time for packing.

Amalfi and Rovello May 31, 2014

Amalfi May 31,2014

After breakfast on our hotel terrace we took the steep but short downhill walk to the fairy landing for a 40 minute boat ride to the town of Amalfi another quaint town built on the side of the steep slopes. Took a lengthy walk above the town following a stream to a dead end then returned for a trail along the coast to the town of Atrani, a much less developed area but with a nice rocky beach.  After a lunch of sandwich beer and gelato back in Amalfi, we caught the local bus for the very curvy and steep 40 minute ride to the elevated town of Ravello. The town is picturesque with an extensive multi acred Cimbrone Garden owned and renovated by a wealthy Brit in the early 1900s. A faster descent in our bus took us back to Amalfi. Wayne looked for the Emergency Shop looking for a pair of sun glasses at a reasonable price. No glasses available at stores here for less than $145. Too many people waiting for bus back to Positano so we took the ferry back for 8 euros. Steep uphill walk back to our hotel for shower and dinner where we were treated to live music. Finished the day with walk down to center of town.

Rome May 31, 2014

Rome May 31, 2014
Up early to catch our train/bus combo to Positano. Confusion about need to validate our down loaded tickets. Approached by "good Samaritan" who helped clarify our ticket and walked us to our cabin. Negotiated his "fee" down from 5 to 3 euros. A two hour train ride to Naples then an uncomfortable one hour local train ride to Sorrento. Waited for local bus to take us the final leg to Positano. Way too many people in the cue we get the last seats on the ocean side of the bus. Others are allowed on to stand for the half hour curvy ride to Positano. We are not sure what those left behind did since the next bus was not scheduled for another hour.

There are two stops in town. Following Rick Steve's advise we get off at the second, Espanda and purchase another ticket to ride the orange city bus to our  Hotel Montemare. A young lady with a cute baby helped us get off at the right spot.
After getting settled in our very nice accommodations we ate lunch on the balcony restaurant overlooking the hillside city below.  The food, local fish and a fabulous egg plant salad, makes the long trip seem worth it. Wayne suggested a nap before taking a walk. We woke up an hour later to the thunder of a rain shower, no opportunity to venture out. Spent time planning the next three days
Around 8 o'clock we ate dinner on the terrace while watching lightening out over the ocean. Food is excellent with our sharing seafood pasta and another order of the hot eggplant salad.
Observation:  In the train stations there is little information services available to give directions/clarification. "Good Samaritans" are available for a price to assist travelers. Negotiate before accepting their offer to help.

Rome May 30, 2014

Rome May 30, 2014
Our day was spent walking the back streets of the city and taking a bike ride through Villa de borghese. We did pass through many clothing store and Miriam bought two purses. Along one of the side streets we stop for lunch at a trattoria, our usual pizza and salad. This pizza was the same capricciosa but not with the thin crisp crust.
Observation: Tourists need to learn to do the Italian Shuffle to avoid being struck by intermingling  cars, motor cycles, Vespas and buses. Pedestrian cross walks are meaningless here unless there is a stoplight. Even lights may not save you when vehicles are making right hand turns at intersections

Rome May 29,2014

Rome May 29, 2014
Our day was spent entirely at the Vatican Museum and Basilica. We purchased our ticket on line allowing us to avoid big line. Bus transportation system  is good but it is not set up to deliver visitors to the museum instead dropping them off at the basilica, a long walk away. The museum is fabulous with impressive displays of  tapestries, large painted maps of Italy, busts and full sculptures of famous and common people of Italy. The ceilings of the long halls are filled with colorful frescos. There are few places to sit so visitors must be prepared to stand up as they pass endless rooms and corridors. Signs hold out promise of the final destination, the Sistine Chapel. Once there everyone spends considerable time taking in the beauty and complexity of the Michelangelo frescos and side panels painted in cooperation with other artist. No one seems to want to leave this large chapel and the guards continue to shush the verbal crowds. After turning in our audio player we took the long walk back to enter the awesome, in size and beauty, the basilica, first passing Michelangelo's Le Pieta. Our feet are tired so we walk to catch a bus back to our hotel for a nap and a local
restaurant for a sea bass dinner and stop for gelato. Observations: The city is quite clean with hardly any

litter nor dogs. Bus system is clean and efficient. Security is hardly present in the museums. The guards man X-ray machines but just wave people through. Pick Pockets are prominent with many people having had a run in with them.