We have long wanted to go to
the Amalfi coast and when Xavier (Sue and Martin’s son) and wife-to-be Emma
invited us to their destination wedding no decision was needed – only the how had
to be sorted. The intermingling of Amalfi views and wedding photos were hard to split
so this is for blogger followers and those interested in just the wedding.
The how started with finding
a suitable site for our large ‘van. This was a challenge in the mountainous
area of Amalfi but we did find a great site some 30 minutes South of Salerno at
Paestum village. What we did not know until the day after our arrival is that
we were a few kms from a 600 BC site. As if this structure was not enough there
were two more a kilometre or so down the road! Unfortunately we did not have time for a good
exploration of this unexpected find.
We opted to drive to Sorrento
where we had a B&B booked for a couple of days and so we were closer to the
wedding activities. The coastal drive took several hours and had some exciting moments
with a small wall being the only protection from the road to the sea several
hundreds of metres below. The numerous oncoming buses along a road which was
in many instances only one bus wide added to the excitement. All this while trying to take in spectacular views.
We arrived in Sorento, dumped
the bags in the B&B and the car in a garage next to the station and went
exploring. Just up the road this sculpture seemed to have a similar theme to the Viterbo giant.
In the evening we met up with
many of the wedding guests. All generations were suitably represented.
Sorrento is perched on top of
a very high cliff. Beach space is minimal so jetties protected by breakwaters
have been constructed purely for sunbathers. Quite an expensive way of
encouraging skin cancer.
The walk down to the harbour
was via a number of large flights of steps and then this zig-zag road. Going
down was OK but….
Sue insisted on us calling
into a Limoncillo shop which was near her hotel. Needless to say purchases were
made – although the choice was difficult given the enormous variety. Limoncillo
biscuits were a new and very pleasant experience.
It looks like this driver
also knows a thing or two about Limoncillo.
The wedding was up in the
mountains at Ravello but first we had to get to Amalfi. How else to travel but
by our own boat from Sorrento?
Especially as this was a
black tie do. Fortunately the temperature was in the high 20s rather than 30s
so it was a very pleasant trip.
The views were numerous.
Through the arch is a little fishing village. In the past fish had to be
carried in baskets up the mountain to the “road” at the top. A very hard
lifestyle.
Not sure I would have built a
hotel here. If the cliff below doesn’t give way below then there is always the
possibility of a cave in from above.
By comparison this cave was
very inviting. What was needed here was a James Bond wet suit over the black
tie attire….
En route we picked up the
groom and his entourage at Positano. We were a bit late in arriving so the
groom was understandably a little stressed – needs to chillax as some would say…..
We arrived at Amalfi pretty
much on time according to the boat owners – who were really great hosts- but
Italian on time is not quite the same as elsewhere.
Not that any of this bothered Martin who looked particularly
dapper with his cap and seemed to relish the opportunity to help others off the
boat.
He also helped to chillax the
groom…..
The venue was in a hotel at the top of
the village of Ravello which we arrived at following an adventurous coach ride
from Amalfi. What a location. Freshly cut grass terraces with a staggering view
over the coast as a backdrop to the proceedings.
With furniture shaded by well kempt olive trees
Who are we sitting next to?
The bride and her Dad
descended from the hotel via some steps. I think the bride was much more
relaxed than Dad Des.
Photos were not allowed
during the ceremony (so that the professional photographer was not getting
pictures of everyone with their i phones). I did sneak this one of the signing.
Not sure whether this was overlooked by the Scilian or Calibrean mafia but the
best man Ross and groomsman Andy certainly added some Italian presence.
I was allowed to take photos
with the professionals at the infinity pool and spotted that there was a full
moon. This probably is the number one photo of the whole trip……
I also took advantage of the
lighting by the professional team….
Even the poolside looks enchanting.
Given all the activity this was
a welcome calm reflective moment.
And as the sun set the moon really took on its role of adding
to the spectacle.
The evening closed with young
William leading us down the path through the now quiet village back to the bus. A
rather appropriate shot to round out what has been a fabulous Italian trip.
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