Sunshine and lemons and many, many steps

 We had the most wonderful morning, exploring the inner harbour and marina as we weighed our decision to go to Capri.  In the end, we decided to give it a pass.   The tourists are everywhere, often being led by a flag-holding guide who shepherds her flock more enthusiastically than a border collie.  Maybe it was because it’s a Saturday but the ferry line ups were long and the price was steep.  So, we shrugged and decided to keep our exploring through the magnificent markets and streets brimming with temptations.  Climbing back up from the harbour, some 400 stairs or so, lands one back in the town square and from there, you wander through pretty little parks and narrow lanes, part of a slow moving but happy bunch.  We stopped for a cannoli (overdosed on the chocolate for sure) and, much later I was treated to my first, but hopefully not last, limoncello spritzer.   Made with fresh lemons, a splash of limoncello and a twinkle of Prosecco.   Icy cold with slush, it was refreshing and delicious.   We found a park and watched the marina below, admiring the intense blue of the Mediterranean while listening to a busker play some traditional Italian guitar.

Mediterranean blue!

Looking up at the Excelsior, where Caruso spent his last days.

Busy harbour.  Zillion dollar toys of the rich & famous..  

Ancient columns and tunnels in hills, untouched and mysterious.

Wall painting downtown.

Parts of Sorrento feature steps cut into walls and cliffs, and they were there long before Christ.  And there is a Moorish aspect to some of the design, I am sure a carry-over from battles of yore.   We are not far from the coast of Africa and the jungle-like lushness reflects that, beautiful cacti and vibrantly healthy flowers are everywhere.  It’s like living in the middle of a fruit bowl.

This morning (it is now Sunday), the clouds have settled in.   We’ll go back to Sorrento for a little more serious shopping for souvenirs and perhaps find a church or two to explore.   And figure out whether to take a ferry to Naples tomorrow, or to get back on the train.  We have four nights in Naples to explore that big, busy city, and we are staying quite centrally in the Spanish quarter.   It will be a change after sleepy Tuscany and touristy Sorrento, but a nice bit of hustle before we return to the Amalfi coast, Salerno, and finally, Brindisi on the Adriatic side, our last port before catching the big bird to Rome/Calgary/Victoria.