We have found Sorrento to be a welcome change from the hustle and bustle and crowds of Rome.  Our little hotel is tucked away down a narrow street only a few meters from the main plaza in town, Piazza Tasso. Here are a couple of shots from our room.

It is quite entertaining to grab a bite to eat with a little wine and sit and watch the people pass through the piazza.

The four of us were picked up near our hotel and driven to the marina where we boarded the 36 foot beauty, the Big Biaggio.  Augustino, the head honcho met us out of our cab and welcomed us, noting that we had booked so many months in advance and yet the weather today was unsettled.  He said that it will be very stormy tomorrow and the next day and impossible to go out.  Since the weather was calling for 81 degrees with a chance of thundershowers, we said let’s go for it.

Since Barb is the only one of the Camanoescapers who does not consider getting on boats as one of the things she enjoys in life, as she climbed aboard she admitted that the Big Biaggio looked safe enough.  We left the harbor in Sorrento (the name is derived from the latin term, home of the sirens……see Homer and the Odyssey) and were treated to storybook views of an amazing coastline.  We stopped for a couple of hours in Positano and more amazing views.  Leaving Positano we stopped along the Amalfi Coast to go swimming at our own private beach.  With mask, fins and snorkel donned, Doug and I went over the side of the boat and had a great time swimming in the Mediterranean.  This actually fulfilled a long time dream of mine of really swimming in the Mediterranean.  The water was a little cool but much warmer than Puget Sound.

I am happy to report that Barbarina was AMAZING and was quite the deckhand.  Actually the only casualty in this entire Amalfi Coast trip was my iphone 4S which had an untimely meeting with the Mediterranean sea shortly after the following photo.  Lynda is holding out hope that after the phone dries out, she is sure it is going to spring back to life!  I just love her!!!  At dinner tonight, Doug remarked that I shouldn’t feel bad, because for the money we’re spending on this trip…..a new iphone is a drop in the bucket.

It is 11 pm here (2 in the afternoon at home) and we just returned from dinner.  It’s been a long day in the sun and everyone is all in.  I think tomorrow we will lay low and rest!  Ciao!!