Islands of Italy South of Rome
David, Denise, Soren and Aeren arrived mid-day Father’s Day, June 16. After an afternoon to rest from the long trip, we took off Monday for a day in Rome. It’s about 90 minutes from the marina to central Roma by bus from the marina, train to metro, metro to destination stop.
First day we did the Coliseum where the highlight was Soren and Denise having their photo taken with some modern day gladiators. One in particular had on lime green (day glo) running shorts along with his red centurion cape and headgear. The Forum after lunch took quite a bit of time. We really needed a guide, but managed to figure some things out. The boys enjoyed wetting not only their whistles at a water fountain, but also filling their hats and plopping them on their heads to cool off. It had been a scorcher of a day. Threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain and purchased some cheese and meat for the boat before heading back to the station and the 90 minute trek back to the boat. A good deal is the combination transportation ticket, good for this 90 minutes, cost only .77 Euros. Nice deal.
Day two of sightseeing. Spent time at St Peters and the Sistine Chapel. Another hot day. Day three Dave and Denise went in and the boys stayed at the boat with us at Porto di Roma.
On Thursday, June 20, we slipped out of our spot at 0550. Arrived at Isola Ponza at 1435. Great weather except a bit hazy. Calm seas all the way (64.5 nautical miles). Festival night here at Ponza. Many boats. Marina full. Anchorage right outside marina chock a block. Other places just as busy. Most left next day. The highlight of Festival night was fireworks for the Summer Solstice at midnight. Such a show! About 15 minutes of spectacular rocketry.
The geology there included combinations of lava flows, ash and rocks in layers. That view when you looked up and the clear water close to shore sure made a dynamic picture.
Two days later we upped anchor and cruised 48 nautical miles to Isola d’Ischia. Beautiful day; light SE winds; a little NW swell. Toured the famous Castle and ate lunch in town. Most of the ancient stuff destroyed, but the castle looks formidable from the land all perched up on that rock. A good place for defense.
Monday we went just four miles over to the next island--Procida. Another castle high above and town nestled below. Tuesday we crossed the Bay of Naples to anchor at Sorrento. This turned out to be a very rolly anchorage due to the many ferries coming and going from Naples and Capri. While anchored there the family took the train to Pompeii. When they returned we went around the corner to stay overnight in a quiet cove, only to be asked to move the next morning because this area had now been declared a marine reserve.
From there just a short trip across to Capri. Anchored in 105 feet. Whew! Drifted quite close to the larger power boat next to us in morning, so pulled anchor and left. Took time to go rest of the way around Capri before heading towards Amalfi, 31 nautical miles away. Dave, Denise and Soren did the Blue Grotto trip in local boats out of Marina Grande and enjoyed it. We did it about 15 years ago.
At Amalfi we first tied up at the quay, but the swell coming around the point set all the boats in motion and we were in danger of damaging the rudder, so moved out to anchor. Too rough really, but nothing else to do. David and Aeren stayed on board, but Denise and Soren found a room. They regrouped the next morning at the bus stop. Bus to Salerno, train to Roma and on to Venice for them. We pointed TEKA III back to Rome so we would be there for their last night in Italy. Amalfi coastline quite dramatic and many tourists travel by bus to look down at the sea from the highway along the cliffs. We enjoyed the bougainvillea blooming everywhere.
TEKA III arrived back in Amalfi September 19 after a successful trip to Sardinia, Tunisia, Sicily and the Aeolian Islands. In the Aeolians we stopped at three islands, Vulcano, Lipari and Stromboli. These are all volcanic islands, Stromboli still active. But unlike other volcanoes who stuff their feelings and then make a huge blow out, it erupts on a regular basis, spewing ash and some lava only along part of the west coast of the island. Cruising by on a boat you certainly get a great photo op and find yourself saying, “Wow!”
We’ll stop again on the way down to the Strait of Messina in 2003.