Morning soon came in Sorrento. After packing up our belongings and eating breakfast, we headed down to the waterfront to catch the ferry over to the Isle of Capri.
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| Looking back at one of Sorrento's cliffs. |
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| We waited in the shade until our ferry was ready to board. |
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Stephen checking out Capri. You can see it
from the port of Sorrento. Can you see it? |
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| Three handsome boys! |
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| Our ferry was "SUPER FLY!" |
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| All Aboard!!! |
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| Coastline shot of Sorrento as we were pulling away. |
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| The grandsons. |
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| The girls excited for Capri. |
The island of Capri has long been a resort area for many Europeans. From Sorrento, it was a quick 25 minute ride to Capri's port of Marina Grande. Upon arriving at the main harbor, we made our way over to a beach area. There the kids and adults decided to have some fun. Shoes were taken off and toes were dipped into the Tyrrhenian Sea--as well as a stone skipping contest between the kids and my dad.
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| We made it! |
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| Girls linked arm in arm walking away from the ferry in Capri. |
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Ian standing in the port of Marina Grande.
Capri was his favorite place. |
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| Port of Marina Grande. So beautiful! |
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| Mom with the boys...and a couple of nuns! |
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Dad teaching the kids how to pick the perfect
stone for skipping. |
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| Anna, Abbey and Melody cooling their feet. |
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| They spent a lot of time here. Skipping stones fascinated them! |
Stefania arranged for a private minibus to take us up and down the narrow mountainous roads leading to the Blue Grotto. From mid-March to November only residents are allowed to drive around the island. No argument from me--they were the scariest roads I have ever ridden on! Many times I had my eyes closed...both in fear and in prayer!
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| Our minibus! |
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| William and Miles getting settled in their seats. |
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| Ready for our journey to the Blue Grotto. |
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Stefania sharing facts about the island.
(Check out the narrow two lane road.) |
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Same road--with traffic. As we came up to the corner...yes,
we were met with oncoming traffic! Oy! |
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| An intersection--people went whenever they felt like it. |
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| Small vehicles for small roads. |
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My brother took this picture from his seat in the bus. It was
a sheer drop just inches from where the road ended! |
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| Miles took this picture of William from inside the bus. |
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Another picture taken from our bus ride. I was praying that
our bus driver would keep his eyes on the road! |
Thankfully, we arrived at the Blue Grotto in one piece. When Mom and Dad had mentioned that we were going to have to lay flat in the boats in order to fit into the entrance of the cave, I thought that they were exaggerating. Even as we made our way down the many steps leading to the grotto, it still didn't click for me that people were laying supine as they were pulled threw the entrance.
Here's how it works: once you get to the bottom of the cliff, you have to wait your turn for a guy in a rowboat to pick you and your family up off the cliff wall. The husband/father sits on one end, while the wife/mother and children sit on the other end. In the middle of the boat you have your drunk oarsman. Yes, that's right! The seafaring navigators are slamming shots of liquor and beer! These are the guys who guide you in and out of the tiny opening in the cliff wall. And they have to do it at the precise right moment or else you and your loved ones will end up smashed up against the sea wall or sinking to the sea floor. They are actually yanking you through the entrance by grabbing hold of a chain that has been fastened along the wall. It has to be timed right (as the swell of the wave is low) and then they have to move quickly, before the next wave hits. This leaves one hoping that the "captain" is a well-functioning alcoholic whose reflexes aren't slow to react!
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Down these steps you'll find the entrance to the Blue Grotto.
Mom and Stefania making their way down. |
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| Boats waiting their turn to enter the grotto. |
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Your vessel into the Blue Grotto.
(Notice the beer in his hand.) |
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To make your way to the boats, you have to
descend from the top of the cliff. |
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| The line to get onto your boat. |
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| Packed in and almost ready to enter the grotto. |
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| The men get pushed off to the other side of the boat. |
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| Going in!!! The entrance to the grotto. |
Apparently, our guide had plenty of practice doing this feat inebriated as we made it in unscathed. Once inside the cave, I was wondering what the big deal was...and then I saw it! As I looked back towards the entrance, there was the most spectacular color of blue lighting the grotto.
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| Christina's family waiting for their turn to leave. |
Immediately the guides break into song and belt out some Italian ballads as they steer you through the cave. Then it's time to exit. Again, you are instructed to lay flat on your back.
Since my little clan was the last of our party to enter the cave, we were also the last to leave it. I watched as my sibling's families assumed their positions. It was like watching a choreographed dance. A boat would enter on the lull of one wave, then on the lull of the next wave, my sibling's boat was pulled through the opening.
Let me mention here that when we arrived at the Blue Grotto we weren't sure if we were going to even be able to enter the cave as the tide was rising. Now, fast forward to us waiting to exit the grotto...after having stood in line to get a boat (tide rising), after waiting in the boat to get our ticket (tide still rising), after waiting our turn to enter the cave (rising some more), and after spending time inside the cave...the level of the sea water had become an issue. Watching my siblings and their families successfully exit the grotto was reassuring that we'd get out too.
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Stephen and his family exiting the grotto.
Check out the smiles on their faces! |
After having to let a few boats enter the cave, it was finally our turn to head out. We were austerely told to "get down." Our guide made his first attempt at pulling us through the opening, but because of the swiftness and rise of the water, he had to quickly yank us back into the cave. He readied himself for a second attempt and started to go for it again with the next wave. No luck! Back into the cave we went. I started to feel a little claustrophobic and could feel my anxiety rising. On our third attempt, the tip of our boat barely even made it to the middle of the entrance. At this moment, I began praying. It was during one of my "Hail Mary" prayers that the guide was finally able to thrust our boat out from the opening and into the sunshine!
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| Prayers answered...we made it out!! |
TO BE CONTINUED...
