Bright memories – 13

I think I might have saved the best for last. The memories go on and on, but for now I’m ending this series, on beautiful Capri. On another scorching day, in what was apparently the hottest May for 20 years, we caught the morning ferry from Sorrento. Not the high speed hovercraft, but the journey was short. Shimmering in a heat haze, from the second we disembarked on Capri the only way was up. Avoiding the queues for the funicular, we crammed onto a bus and strap hung as we zigzagged up and up to Anacapri. I don’t think I’ve ever been higher without flying! Can there be a lovelier place to stop and eat? Ravioli Caprese, with Tiberio white wine, at La Terrazze.

It all went a bit wrong from there. You can blame the wine if you like, but we started to descend by a series of steps and didn’t stop till we reached the harbour at the bottom, completely bypassing Capri town. I was soundly berated by the husband. Not that he wanted to see Capri town, but he definitely didn’t want those endless steps in the heat. It did no good for me to point out the glorious landscape. Appeasement had to come in the form of chocolate and almond cake and reviving Spumante. I left them to it while I raced back to the cliff lift. I couldn’t possibly miss out on the Piazetta and those iconic Faraglioni Islands. I’m sure I wore an exhausted but beatific smile on the ferry journey home.

  • Overlooking the castello on Ischia
  • 3 happy boys at the hotel pool- mine in the middle

I wish I had more photos from those golden days. Islands always call to me and we just had time to squeeze in Ischia on our second last day. I’d glimpsed pictures of hot springs and thermal baths in an idyllic setting, but had no idea where to find them. In a spirit of optimism we boarded the round the island bus, sure to come upon them! We got off at the terminus and looked bemused, until the kindly driver of an endearing little taxi-bus, with open sides and stripey seats, took pity on us. He took us to the booking office for the Aphrodite Thermal Park in Sant’ Angelo, and from there we were whisked by water-taxi across the harbour to paradise. Time flew in those fabulous gardens, and soon it was time to find the bus back to the port, and one last coffee in the harbour beneath that Aragonese castle.

Enough reminiscing. He’s 31 now, and about to buy his first home. I wish him a bright and happy future. Thank you all for traveling with us.

114 comments

  1. Capri has now taken a more solid form thanks to your wonderful post but I’m most curious about the thermal baths in Ischia . I have to google that . Going back to Italy through your posts have been an amazing fun, Jo. Another brilliant one!

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    1. If you follow the link to Aphrodite Thermal Baths you can see the spa, Sheetal. And the link to Capri tourist information is there too. If I don’t have photos, or even if I do, I like to offer a wider view. Glad you enjoyed the series. I loved going back in time πŸ€—πŸ’•

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  5. What wonderful memories to reminisce about Jo. I have had the pleasure of visiting Italy twice, each time focusing on different regions. Such a beautiful county to explore. I would love to go back some day but so many places yet to explore when the world opens back up to travel.

    We hired a boat to take us from Positano to Capri when we visited, such stunning views in every direction! Most ridiculously expensive lunch we ever had in Capri, we ordered the fresh catch & I think it ended up costing us somewhere around $150 (in our monies) but we did have a laugh over it!

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  8. These series of Bright memories are super bright indeed. You managed to take us along the memory lane and led us into virtual imagination of your wonderful trip. Thank you.

    WhereΒ΄s next? πŸ™‚

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  10. I have to sympathise with your husband, those steps in the heat! But we were all younger in those days, so even I would have coped then. Perhaps you need to find yourself an island to live on? Oh, hang on, you used to. 🏝️ Does the last sentence mean a house has been secured? Or still looking?

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    1. I hardly dare say it out loud but they had an offer accepted on a house last night. So happy for them! Just need a few things to run smoothly now πŸ€—πŸ’•πŸ’•

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    1. Sadly that’s not so likely, Manja. There are places I’d still love to see but my world is getting smaller and priorities change. Italy brought me so much happiness and I still have Italian friends here with that lovely sunny disposition. You’re a bunch of charmers. Ciao, bella! πŸ€—πŸ’•πŸ’•

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