Sorrento in High season is bustling with activity, mainly swimming or taking a boat or bus somewhere else. Sorrento in Low season is just taking a boat or bus elsewhere. Today we opted out of the Optional trip to Capri. We've been there before and Grand Circle was charging $140
per person to take the hydrofoil over, go up to Anacapri and have lunch. It evidently did not include a boat ride around the island as our tour 15 years ago did. So we decided to do Capri on our own. I want to see the Blue Grotto, which we did not see before.
First step, catch the bus to the Marina Piccola. Just around the corner from our hotel we arrived at the bus stop at 10:50, and it was due at 11:05 - the last bus until after siesta at 4:30.
We waited and waited an waited. By 11:40 we decided to bag it and walked across the street to the a restaurant for coffee. Of course, as soon as we sat down and ordered the bus arrived. Que sera.
After a leisurely meal of a cheese omelette and 3 cups of very expensive coffee - 3.5 € per cup. Hint: when the waiter asks if you want more coffee, you may think its a free refill, but it isn't. Just say NO. Although I was so desperate and the cafe Americano was so good I probably would have had 2 cups anyway, but with 3 the coffee cost more than the omelette! Sitting outside on a beautiful day in a cute restaurant can definitely get expensive.
We wandered around town for awhile, but frankly it all seems the same after a time. There really is nothing to do in Sorrento except visit the Cathedral (closed for siesta until 4:30) or one of 2 small museums. Of course there is the beach.
To get down to the water is a vertical climb down a few thousand steps. These steps are next to the restaurant where we were.
Then you have to get back up. We were told there was a bus back up but we know how the busses are here and I really didn't want to have to camp on the beach waiting. I read on Trip Advisor that there is a lift and Bob managed to find it. For 1 € each way we rode in comfort 1000 feet down. I went to have another cup of coffee (also 3.5 € ) while Bob went to get the info on taking a ferry to Capri. The cost was only 28 € each, and the last ferry left at 2:30. Of course it was 2:29 when Bob got back to the restaurant. I had just gotten my coffee, so we waved to the ferry about 100 yards down the pier. So much for Capri today. Too bad because it was sunny today and 63 degrees. At least the view was spectacular!
Our only other chance to see the Blue Grotto is on Saturday when the group is going to Pompeii, another place we visited 15 years ago. Cost of that excursion is only $100 per person. Bob doesn't want to go again, but I know they've excavated a lot more since we were there in 2000. If the weather is as bad as predicted we definitely won't go to Capri. The Blue Grotto depends on the weather and the seas, meaning if the sea is at all rough they can't get the little boats through. Pompeii is away from the coast so maybe it won't rain there. Another day spent in Sorrento, especially if its raining, does not appeal.
The TV in our room looks like an old PC monitor. Only BBCNews and CNN are in English. I did hear about Tunisia, which makes our trip to Malta a little worrisome. Hopefully the barbarians will stay on their own side of the Mediterranean.
I almost forgot. Last night we went to a musical production of Sorrentine singing and dancing. Bob didn't want to go but he ended up liking it quite a lot. For me it was much like seeing "CATS" again, and about as interesting. I fell asleep in both. I do have a few pictures however.
Last in the day's adventures was dinner at Chantecler's Trattoria. I had the catch of the day and it was sea bass. To die for. Plus starters of pasta Bolaganese and Lasagna Sorrentine. I do love eating in Italy! I did not have coffee. We had half a carafe of wine and one beer - 5.5 € . Very reasonably priced restaurant.
I'm off to bed. Tomorrow is an included tour of the Amalfi Coast.