Tuesday Travels: Sorrento and Positano, Part 2 (Positano)

Photo: Positano nestles in the steep hillside. Beautiful sky-blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea lap at the shore below the town, and fluffy clouds cover the mountain tops.

Today, let's travel to Positano, a place where John and I wouldn't mind spending more time--and almost got to! (More on that story later.) 

Traveling by bus on curvy, narrow roads was quite an adventure. Who knew that we would have to execute three-point-turns in order to handle the switchbacks?

Photo: View from the left-hand side of the bus, as we attempted a sharp turn. We are traveling downhill. On the left is a short concrete wall and vegetation. Even though Italians drive on the right-hand side of the road, it appears we are going to run right into the wall. (We didn't.) The buildings of Positano are in the background.

Positano is a popular destination in the warmer months, but because we were there in January, we appeared to be the only tourists in town. Once we got off the bus, we wandered down narrow pedestrian streets to get to the beach.

Photo: A narrow cobblestone path between two buildings

At times, we walked through tunnels made from plants growing overhead. I imagine it would have been beautiful and fragrant during the warmer months, but even in winter, it was beautiful.

Photo: Sturdy bare vines cover the space overhead between two grey walls.

When I found where the vine was rooted, I had to take a photo. It is amazing that something so large could grow from such a little patch of dirt. 

Photo: A knee-high arched cut-out in a concrete wall holds a bit of dirt. From it, two sturdy vines grow.

As interesting as the walk down to the beach was, the best views came when we reached the water.

Photo: A panoramic shot of the sky-blue skies of the Tyrrhenian Sea on the Amalfi coast, with the colorful yellow and pink buildings of Positano rising from the shore on the right side of the photo

Photo: Two fishermen chat near their poles as they await a catch near water's edge at Positano.

Photo: A huge old anchor rests against the rocky hillside

Photo: A stone building, looking very much like a rook piece from chess, sits on rocks that appear to rise straight out of the blue water of the sea

Although we didn't want to leave, it was soon time to meander back to the bus. We gave ourselves plenty of time to continue to take photos, so we could remember the beauty of Positano.

Photo: The yellow, pink, orange and red buildings of Positano hug the mountains, while the sand of the beach is in the foreground.

I loved seeing different fruit trees growing.

Photo: In the foreground, colorful planter boxes sit on concrete steps. An orange tree grows on the street level above, and a mountain rises in the background.

Photo: Green bananas grow in front of a blue tarp. A white house with a green roof stands in the background.

Photo: Grenade-shaped fruit hangs on leafless branches in the foreground, while the background offers a view of the buildings of Positano, a palm tree, and the beautiful waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea

We soaked in the stunning colors all around us, as we took our time heading back to the bus. We kept an eye on our watches so we wouldn't be late, but we also wanted to maximize the time we had in Positano. 

Photo: The colorful yellow and blue dome of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with the beautiful blue Tyrrhenian Sea in the background, and purple flowers in the foreground.

We arrived at the bus a minute or two before the agreed-upon time, only to find we were the very last people to board. It was getting toward dusk, most of the shops in town were closed, and the weather was a bit drizzly, so everyone else headed back to the bus early. Apparently, the bus driver thought everyone was on board, and prepared to depart. Fortunately, a couple of our new friends noticed we weren't yet on the bus, and had the driver wait for us. They assured him we wouldn't be late. 

Although we loved Positano and would love to spend more time there, we're thankful for new friends who noticed we were missing, a bus driver who was willing to wait, and for the rest of the group who was patient with us. (We made it a goal to never again be last to arrive!) 

Have you ever (nearly or actually) been left behind? I'd love to hear your adventure!