We are definitely in the waning days of summer. Although we are still in shirtsleeve and shorts weather, there is a chill in the air at night. Our bed in the main cabin is very comfortable, and Renne' and I sleep well at night. We are under covers with the hatches open all the time. This week has been perfect for weather. We have had some rain, but not since we left Marina Piccola in Mesino.
We decided to stay in Capri yesterday and tour the island. There is great competition between the two main cities. You can see that initially in just the names - Capri (town) and Anacapri -translated it means Capri and NOT Capri. Capri is a town for the rich and famous. Although the main economy of the entire island has been tourism for 2000 years, Capri knows how to do it for the mega-rich. It is like Rodeo Drive in Hollywood or the Ginza in Tokyo-
And it has some of the same stores! Anacapri on the other hand is much more relaxed, has some beautiful churches built in the 1500's and 1600's! I know Capri has one or two also, but you don't notice them at all! Prices are very reasonable also!
Our adventure yesterday, was not the cities so much as the bus rides to them. The roads are so narrow when the buses pass one another there are only 2-3 inches space between them. The roads look over cliffs 100' high. And hairpin turns that make the hair on your arms and the back of your neck stand straight up! The only cars and trucks allowed on the island are for commercial purposes. These are small trucks. And Smart Cars for the most part. There are a LOT of Cushman style work vehicles here for delivering luggage, the UPS truck is Cushman style, food, supplies, etc. they are the real work-horses here besides the buses. We heard a siren coming through Capri, and Doug quipped, "Jon, you need to see the ambulance." I couldn't see around the truck, but it seemed to take a fair amount of time coming through the throngs of people walking through the streets. As it drove past us, I asked if it was a Cushman-just joking, realizing it was disrespectful of the patient aboard on the way to the hospital, but it was! We had to laugh!
We had taken the dinghy to the marina area when we left the boat, but got chased away from the docks by the same people who chased us away from the mooring balls. All we wanted to do was walk through town. We finally discovered, if we ate dinner at THEIR restaurant, it would be okay. We finally relented, but said we would return later to eat. When we did return, we stopped for a couple of beers, wine, and an appetizer, but discovered the only way to the dinghy was 200 yards across the water. They wanted to make sure we ate or drank SOMETHING! Although that was our original plan, guess they have bought that pig before! LOL!
Back on the boat, we defrosted and grilled pork chops, stir fried fresh broccoli and garlic with a touch of soy sauce, sautéed fresh mushrooms and garlic with a touch of Lea and Perrins, and cooked beans and red peppers in the pressure cooker. What a feast. Who says lining on a boat is camping out!
We played a new game yesterday. Guess we got tired of FARKLE every night. We played Mexican Train Dominos. Most enjoyable way of spending the evening!
We WILL move to Amalfi today. It is getting late in the season, and we have to be moving south! As Jerry Reed used to sing, "We have a long way to go, and a short time to get there. . . ".
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THIS IS THE DREAM! This is what all of the Marketing folks at all the manufacturers of boats are selling. 4.2kts of speed over the ground, 1 foot seas or less, 15 kts of cool breeze, high Cirrus clouds in the sky, beautiful babes on the bow in bikinis, and a paradise of islands to sail to. We are blessed with friends, good careers to build our retirement funds, blessed with opportunities we could only see in our minds eye 5 years ago. Who could ask for more.
We stopped for the night in Positano, Italy, just north of Amalfi. We are in town for Internet purposes and to pick up beer, wine, and some Bacardi and Coke. We will head back tot he boat in a few hours for dinner.
We will see you at the docks of the marina in Amalfitonite for sundowners. So rum and cokes, Peroni beer, and wine for all at the docks tonite!
See ya there!
Jon and Renne'
Aboard Plankton, with Doug and Barb
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