Sorrento, Italy (via Napoli)

Sorrento, Italy, NOT. We were supposed to anchor at about 7:30 AM. When they did anchor they found it was far too rough to use the tenders, not to mention the ship bouncing around.

The night before had been very rough too. Many were sea sick and more were taking all kinds of remedies and preventives for “ill de mare.” (French meaning sick of the sea).

AT about 8:30 AM captain Dag came on the intercom and told us the bad news, but he had good news too. We were going just an hour down the coast to Napoli. (Naples). Most of the tours would still be able to run and now we could dock instead of anchor out and have to tender in.

The Dag also gave us some interesting news about the day before. It seems we had been about ten minutes from passing on the port. Originally we were supposed to use the ships tenders. Then as we were anchoring they said we couldn’t use them and had to use the local boats. They were supposed to provide four of them but they only held 40 people each and who knew how safe these old pieces of junk were. Cap Dag said he offered to pay for their tenders and use ours. They had to be a real bunch of jerks and just liked the idea of pushing us around. When we were ready they now only had two of them. It would have taken all day just to unload the ship. Just as we were about to leave, they changed their minds again and said we could use both the ships tenders and the rented ones. I might not get off here if we do go again. I found the locals to be a bunch of unfriendly jerks both this time and several years back.

The reason we originally were supposed to go to Sorrento is that it is mostly a very pretty tourist area on a pretty coast line and is closer to the pretty costal drives and scenery. Naples is a large and somewhat unsafe city with few tourist attractions.

We did not like any of the tours offered and decided to see if we could get a cab or van on our own. We found a guy with a nice large, new Nissan van. He spoke perfect English with just the right amount of Italian accent. He had a good sense of humor and we joked up and back all day.

The big attraction had been the Amalfi drive. A drive along a breath taking coast toward Sorrento. We also went through a few very long and winding tunnels through some mountains.

Once in Sorrento we realized it was lunch time. Our driver guide, Mario, took us to what was supposed to be the best restaurant in town. The restaurant was very nice looking. Just how you might picture a large Italian bistro. The help was friendly and they too joked with us. I have not been able to find good pizza in Florida and the stuff on the ship had been mostly just okay. Muriel thought a small pizza might not be enough so she ordered antipasti too. The waiter suggested she have the pizza first and then get the antipasti if still hungry.

They had individual pizzas listed on the menu but they seemed a little expensive for just a small pizza. 8 to 10 Euros. Euros were about $1.25. We each ordered one anyway. When they came they were huge. They were very good but no one could finish theirs, except Muriel and Bobbi.

As we were leaving the restaurant we met other people from the ship. They too were advised to go to this restaurant.

By the time we left it was almost 2:00 PM and closing time for the stores. They would not reopen until 4:00 PM. Oh darn! I was so disappointed. There was going to be no shopping.

On the way out of town, Mario took us down many winding, tiny, very interesting, back streets. Once back to Naples he showed us the few old buildings, of interest, in town. We then went down many teeny, tiny back streets and what were really alleys. Some barely the width of the van. There were both houses and stores on these mini streets. If someone were to walk out without looking they would be killed. These old streets loaded with mostly young people and motor scooters were as interesting to see as the rugged cliffs on the drive to Sorrento. We had a great day and it was no over yet. Tonight was the Pesach Seder.

The Seder started at about 6:00 PM. At about 7:00 PM the ship was going by the Isle of Capri. The ship went around the island so close you could reach out and touch it. Too bad the Seder was going on at the same time. Surprisingly the food was good and we all had a good time at the Seder. They had used Bobbi’s recipe for Apple Cake for dessert and it was very good. I read the four questions and Bobbi read a big part at the end.

Seder Sherm Out