The Crowning Excursion

Everyone has heard of the Amalfi coast I think.  I did not know it is a 26 mile long two lane winding highway running from Sorrento to Salerno high above the sea.  I am in awe of the bus drivers who successfully maneuver this route.  They need to stop short to let other buses pass and use mirrors around curves to know when to proceed.  The many motor scooters darting in and out constantly are a real danger to themselves but that doesn't stop them.  Everyone is surprisingly patient and polite, backing up when necessary and no horn blowing except to announce your entering a blind curve.   

We started in Naples on the highway exiting to Sorrento to pick up the Amalfi Coast Road.  We stopped at the Limencello factory where we could use the restroom and we bought a hand painted bottle of Limencello for Terry and Carol for doing the airport run for us.  I had a sample sip and it can grow hair on your chest!

Our next big city was Positano but we just drove through and didn't stop.  Our first stop was Amalfi where Ted and I grabbed a bite.  

Mosaic in the restaurant. 

Church on the town square (note the steps!)

I will just post photos of the coastline first. 

Hotels.  Only a small check in lobby is on the road.  The rest is down the cliff.

The switchbacks.

See the figure holding flowers in the rock formation?

One of many watchtowers.

An umbrella pine.

A house built in a crevice.

Villages built into the mountainside.  

When we arrived in Salerno we continued on to Pompeii.