Day 55

Day 55: Assisi

Today we left Capri on a morning ferry at 8 am to head to Naples to get back on the tour bus to go on a guided tour around Pompeii.

Pompeii was so unusual and interesting. It's amazing to think that these ruins were actually actual building shops and homes. They showed us a brothel which still had posters up on the walls. They showed us where a bakery, restaurant and shop fronts used to be. Then they took us to the town square which had an amazing view of the volcano which made all of these ruins happen. We then got shown the dog, the person and the baby who died in the lava. This was a bit gruesome but it was cool to see that the shape of the bodies still where intact. It's amazing how for 2000 years the volcano didn't go off until that day. When we were walking around Pompeii we noticed that lots of people still live near the volcano like I would be freaking out if I knew that's what called all the ruins.

After Pompeii we continued driving to Assisi. We stopped off at a commonwealth war memorial of all the fighters that died in the World War 2 fighting against Germany. Most of the countries these guys served were England, Canada, Australia and South Africa. 

Then we got back onto the coach and continued to Assisi. Assisi is stunning its more in the rural region of Italy. There were so many beautiful landscapes that I saw looking through the window of the bus. There were so many flowers and the grass was so lush and green. It was around a 5.5 hour drive. We didn't get to the hotel for about 6. 

We had to get ourselves organised for dinner at the hotels restaurant. We got a 3 course meal which was so delicious. After dinner we headed back to our rooms and packed because we are heading off on the coach to Vienna tomorrow. 

Xx

Day 54

Day 54: Capri

Today we went for a site seeing walk around a specific area in capri there were gorgeous little shops and a amazing garden. From the garden there was a viewing deck of the coast of Capri and the faraglioni Rocks. These are rocks that you can actually ride a boat through there is a hole in the rock which would fit a little sail boat. Later on today we are getting on a boat and having a closer look at these rocks.

After the guided walk you could choose to do an optional activity of going to a little villa called the Villa San Michele. The Villa San Michele was built around the turn of the 20th century on the Isle of Capri, Italy, by the Swedish physician and author Axel Munthe.

Villa San Michele is undoubtedly unique and a living example of the dream that became reality. Perhaps a dream springing from a longing for beauty or an individual’s attempt to deal with his feelings of powerlessness. Axel Munthe coined ingeniously and may have devoutly believed. Is he perhaps like Icarus when from the heights of Capri’s steep cliffs he stretches out for more.

" My home shall be open for the sun and the wind and the voices of the sea - like a Greek temple – and light, light, light everywhere!" 

Villa San Michele is a place for you who yearn, dream and search for answers. An international meeting place, where dialogue between people from all over the world can take place in the peace and beauty of its magic settings. 

There was a stunning garden and up the top there was a little church with a stunning view of the coast of Capri.

After the villa we had free time so mum and I went on a chair lift which took us up to another viewing point high in the mountains called Monte Solaro. It took 15 minutes to get up to the viewing point it was pretty slow but the view was incredible!!!!

We met the rest of the group and made out way down to the marina to get a boat to cruise around island. The driver of the boat went inside a small grotto to show us the blue turquoise water. We sailed through the hole in the Faraglioni Rocks. Faraglioni is the Italian word used to refer to stacks, a coastal and oceanic rock formation. They are formed by erosion from ocean waves. They are found at the coasts of several regions of Italy.

When we got back to the marina we had the rest of the afternoon free time. Mum and I went to a beach just to have a look. The beach was not like any of the ones we have back in Perth. There was not any sand, the ground was made of thousands of pebbles. It was so uncomfortable. It really made me miss home.





We headed back to the marina and we brought tickets to go see one of the biggest blue Grottos in Capri. I have always wanted to go to this place called the Azzura grotto. And doing that small grotto on the boat before wasn't enough for mum and I so we went to get tickets to do the blue grotto. 

We got on a boat to head to the Azzura grotto which is on the other side of the island. We had to wait a while for a guide to pick us up on another smaller boat which fitted 4 to 5 people in it. We waited a good hour on the boat because there were boat loads of people and people queuing on the island as well. We eventually got in the boat and made our way through the grotto through a little hole in the wall. When we got in it was pitch black and then you could see the light coming through the hole making the blue water illuminate in a lovely turquoise colour. We then got to swim in the water. It was so nice and refreshing!!!

We didn't get back to the hotel until 5 pm. By the time it was dinner time it was around 8 so we had to find a restaurant that we could eat at and of course do some last minute shopping.

We had to pack our bags and then get ready to leave Capri tomorrow. 

Xx