Chopsticks Times 6: June 2023

So, it was one of our last few days as a family of seven all in one place. We wanted to do something all together and just get out of the city for a day. When the kids were little, they studied Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius. Part of that curriculum had them read "The Red Sails to Capri." They enjoyed the book. At the end, they realized that while it was a fictional book some of the places were real. So, Regan looked up Capri and the Blue Grotto. The kids were so excited at that time about how beautiful it was and said they would go there one day. I agreed that it would be fun, but said it was not likely going to happen because it was so far away and would be too expensive. Well, God has a way of surprising us! Now, we live in Italy. We managed to find a super cheap deal on an airBNB for one night and went to have a look around for the day. It was beautiful and relaxing! Now...getting started was a bit crazy as we packed our backpacks and packed up 3 dogs for a friend to watch for us.

This place is a little out of the way for us to get to, but the dogs REALLY enjoyed all of the green space! Leda is a dog trainer and her husband trains police dogs. I think the puppies were in good hands.

When we arrived at our airBNB it was time for lunch. We were starved and ready for lunch. Our host recommended this restaurant to us (we asked for something not expensive) These homemade chips were delicious.

We all tried new things. I opted for the spaghetti made with yellow tomatoes grown on Mt. Vesuvius. It's apparently the only place these particular tomatoes grow so I wanted to try them. They were very sweet!

The view form the restaurant

Trying to pose in front of the olive tree...Katherine is a bit ticklish ;)

Some rain clouds were rolling in and we had a few sprinkles, but we could still see everything.

We arrived at our airBNB...it was a bit of a scary drive (haha) super narrow and windy roads, super steep hills, too!

Looking out the back

Our view from the balcony.

This picture makes me laugh because you can see the kids' personalities. Regan and Lauren holding hands and talking and walking down the hill from our ABNB, Benjamin and Katherine at the bottom of this section because it was "easier to run down it" and looking back at the rest of us like "what's taking so long" and then Hudson not picture here hanging back with me and Jonathan taking pictures.

We made it to the main street...yes, it's 2 ways. Yes, everyone walks on the "side" to get where they are going. And yes, the cars drive too fast through these windy little roads.

Dinner at the local pizzeria. Benjamin got a calzone. The rest of us split pizza, fires, and a second calzone.

stopping to look at the view

Now, walking back up to our ABNB...I guess we worked our dinner off!

Another view once we got back...the sea is to the left. It kindof blends in with the sky in the picture. This area is part of the Amalfi Coast

We got up early to go visit the Blue Grotto. We left at 5:45 to drive down the mountain to the sea port in Sorrento.

We got there in time to get parked, put on sunscreen, take a family photo, and meet the boat driver at 7:45

We were all a bit surprise at how small the opening to the cave really is! It's only open certain times of the year because the tides are too high in the winter months. Our guide told us that yesterday it was only open for 45 minutes because they couldn't get people in and out safely.

We are just a little excited!

We were the first boat to arrive and the 3rd to enter! It was beautiful!! The light from outside shines through an opening under the cave which makes it "glow" like this.

To go in, you have to have a boat take you to the entrance and "wait in line" where another small row boat will come up to your boat to take you in a few at a time.

Just enjoying the ride around the island of Capri

Benjamin decided he like the seat best

the lighthouse

The Green Grotto

Looking at the Green Grotto

Our boat dropped us off for a few hours to let us explore the island of Capri. He said that if we wanted to swim that we should go ahead and start with that because by the time he came back to pick us up there would be soooo many people that you wouldn't be able to walk or swim...he was right! We practically had it to ourselves!

selfie :)

Jonathan swimming with Hudson. He's a good swimmer, but a little nervous about it being deep waters

making the "swimming loop"...Hudson and Jonathan on the left, Regan, Katherine, and Lauren on the right

walking on the island of Capri

Love the look of homes

yep, another narrow street, but at least we have a bit more of a sidewalk here!

enjoying the walk and the views

Hudson taking many selfies

Loving the quiet walk

and all of the views!

Hmmm...I wonder how much this hotel costs? I'm 100% sure it's unaffordable ;)

cute little lizzard

The island was quite expensive, so we skipped lunch and opted for a refreshing treat to cool us off until we could eat an "early" dinner around 6:00

These guys got a stawberry icee

Me, too! Katherine got the lemon icee

Lauren wanted a picture on the rocks, but the sun was right above us. So, it was hard to get one without the shadows.

resting in the shade before our boat driver picked us back up

Enjoying the ride

Hudson LOVED the big boats!

especially this one

Faraglioni...the famous rocks of Capri (and used, as well as other locations nearby, in the How to Train Your Dragon movies)

having the time of his life

The look she gave us when the boat driver said that if you kiss while going through the opening in the rocks then your marriage will be everlasting...she didn't think we would kiss, so of course, we did :)

This guy thought it was hilarious as well.

The boat in front of us going through the rock

Look at all these little caves in the rocks...and that water!

He stopped here to let us go swimming. The girls jumping in from oldest to youngest...Regan

Katherine

Lauren

Loving it!

Working up the courage to take the plunge!

Lauren jumped in with him.

Our guide had pool noodles! He said it would be nice if they got tired while swimming or treading water.

He's done. :)

Those little specks way out there are my girls.

They were taking advantage of every second!

Going to take a look at the Coral Grotto

Which got it's name from the pink/purple coral that grows just beneath the water line

a waterfall

it's cold!

Heading back to Sorrento

picture from entering the Blue Grotto...you literally had to lay down so that you could fit the canoe through the opening

Driving up the mountain....Hudson was getting a bit car sick. The kids told him that if he pretended he was the one driving then he would feel better. So they all "drove" in the back seats!

from the balcony of our ABNB

getting situated in our canoe for the Blu Grottoe

More beautiful photos (different phones)

Jonathan hanging out

The rest of us squished together :) Benjamin decided not to go in after he saw the opening

driving around the island

swimming with the girls

trying to dry off a bit before walking around

Back in Rome :)

Taking advantage of a hot afternoon and watching a show together...3 girls and 3 dogs, haha

Delicious pineapple in Amalfi

Hudson jumps at every chance he gets to eat clams...he knows we never eat them and loves them!

more views

walking around

clouds have rolled in but that won't stop us from getting a family selfie

Regan and Lauren

They shared an onion pizza

walking back to our ABNB and needed a selfie in the street ;)

Beautiful at this time of day

morning drive into Sorrento

This is a really good one of Katherine

Katherine and Regan

Jonathan and I on the bench in the boat...my favorite spot while he was going fast

Jonathan waiting for us to get situated in our canoe

more lovely Blu Grotto pics...because I just can't choose between them all

so cool

These are the boats in line to get in. I'm so glad we were first!! They said that the wait can be 2-3 hours sometimes. So, if you ever go...go super early! It's worth getting an early start for!