Capri

 

View from Anacapri

After so many days of walking, the legs were relieved to finally get a break. Today would be a sea day! It was our "free" day and 12 out of the group of 16 agreed to rent a private boat together for an excursion to the island of Capri. It was reasonable price working out at 125 euros per person for use of the boat from 9-5pm which included drinks and towels. The return transfers from the agriturismo was ann additional 10 euros per person return. These prices would depend on numbers obviously. Another option would be taking the local buses.

We were dropped off at the pier in Amalfi. While we were buying sandwiches for lunch (which were excellent by the way!) we got the bad news that there was a problem with the original boat we had hired. Vincenzo scrambled to find a replacement and thankfully found one reasonably quickly. We had a slight delay in departure time but because the boat was an "upgrade" we moved faster and made up most of the time. 

Capri, unfortunately, felt purely like a tickbox. Whilst the views were stunning, our time on the island was marred by our taxi experiences. We had opted to go to Anacapri as it was reported to have a more low-key feel in comparison to Capri which was high end everything. The charge from the Marina Grande to Anacapri was meant to be flat rate of 28 euros. Vincenzo warned us that the rate is determined by the government and not to pay more as the taxi drivers try to extort passengers. Both the taxi drivers for our group tried to charge us 35 euros. We just threw 30 euros at them and walked away. On the way back though, half of our party was stuck in a cab with a driver who had major attitude problems. He insisted on 60 euros, bargained down to 35 then took them intentionally to the wrong marina and demanded another 30 euros. The drop off included arguments and threats for the police to be involved! Stress for everyone...

Back to the island itself! We gave ourselves 2.5 hours on the island which was just enough to catch a cab (which fits up to 6) to Anacapri, take the chairlift up to the viewpoint, walk around for 45 minutes and make our way back. The taxi debacle stole 30 minutes of water time for us which was frustrating because being in the water was the best part of the day! Our skipper, Cosimo, was amazing. He was from Furore, where our agriturismo is and showed us his favourite spots both to and from Capri. After our land time, he took us around Capri by boat showing us important landmarks before giving us swimming time. The water was bliss! 

Back to hiking tomorrow!

Our ride! The Cuor di Leone. None of us were brave enough to use the sunbeds at the front whilst moving...

Leaving Amalfi behind

Fiordo di Furore. Apparently an instragram spot, also where they do redbull cliff diving. 

Positano

Approaching Capri

The cab ride itself was actually pleasant. All were open air with a top. 

Us 2 at the back

The line for the chairlift. The wait from here was about 15 min

You get on just like a ski lift but you have to run off to dismount rather than just gliding off at the end. And yes it takes suitcases too

Great views!

The town of Capri down the bottom

View of the boats down below. We would be one of those later...

From a shop called Luisa's in Amalfi. Definitely worth going too!

The back of the boat. It was really comfortable. We were all glad to be back on it!

Our boat included floaties with beer holders and noodles!

Faraglioni, the 3 iconic rocks of Capri

Appetiser tonight. The fried pizza on the bottom right is absolutely YUMMY! So is the broccoli tart on the top left. I know...broccoli tart who would have thought!

Deconstructed cheesecake. Great way to end the evening