One Word: Capri!

Yesterday, we went to Capri and it was simply amazing and the best day of the vacation so far.  We started off meeting a driver who took us to the little Marina de Praia - the only water access here in Praiano.  We boarded a Zodiac with a young couple from Georgia for the short but bumpy ride to Positano where we joined 8 other people on a bigger boat (still not large) for the ride to Capri.  The coastline was surprisingly similar and just as spectacular as the one between Bandol and Marseilles in the south of France that I toured last year.  It took about 2 hours to get to the island which we circled before docking at Marina Grande, the large port where all the ferries and boats come in.  On the way there, we stopped at several grottos.  We had hoped to see the famous Blue Grotto but, because the seas were a bit rough, it wasn't open.  It was a mixed blessing:  I was disappointed not to see it but it did give us more time to explore the island which, even at that, wasn't enough.  If I ever get back here, I would try to spend one night on Capri. Here are some photos of the trip there.

In the distance, Faraglione di Terra, Faraglione di Mezzo
 (Stella) and Faraglione di Fuori (Scopolo)

One of Grottos we visited

More of the Coastline

Stella and Scopolo closer up (we went through the arch)

Another Grotto (can't remember which one)

In Capri, 8 of us from the boat teamed up to hire a tour bus (10 Euros per person) to take us to Anacapri where we went up the chair lift to the top of the Monte Solaro, the highest point on the island to admire the amazing views, and then back to Capri where we had lunch.  I am not sure we ever did see the famous Piazza Umberto I there because, the next thing we knew, it was time to get back to the boat for return trip.  Again, the scenery was stunning and, at one point when we reached a pretty cove, the skipper brought out snacks and Prosecco for everyone.  Impressive - and probably the closest thing I will ever get to sipping champagne on a yacht!   

Views of the Fragliones from Monte Solaro

Nawal ahead of me on the chairlift down

View of Anacapri from the chairlift

Yes, there are fries on that pizza ordered by one of our group

View of Positano from the boat

Sea view of Praiano - our apartment is up there somewhere

Once back in Positano, thankfully we didn't have to switch to the Zodiac for the trip to Praiano.  The skipper lives there so we just stayed aboard.  Much easier and way easier on our backs!  We finished the day eating at a well known restaurant called Vivaro.   We went there just after 6 (and were the only people there) so we could have an early evening.  However, we ended up staying at the restaurant until 10 p.m.  It was so much fun!  What makes Vivaro unique is there is no menu.  The owner, who also does the cooking and serving, just asks you if you want meat or fish and he then lists off what he has and how he would cook it for you.  The meals are 30 Euros and include wine.  He brings lots of extra goodies - like a wonderfully cooked giant prawn with some pasta and a scrumptious dessert with complimentary liqueurs (one was a crema di melons and the other was limoncella which this area is so famous for).  What a day although we were exhausted!