Walking in the Amalfi Coast

We had definite ideas of seeing the Amalfi Coast this second time. All we wanted to do was "walk" in the hills above. Instead we ended up with many unexpected highlights.

* The highlight of any walking in the Amalfi Coast is supposed to be the "Path of the Gods." Since there is no bus to the start (Bomerano) from Amalfi on Sunday, we had to do the walk in the rain on Saturday. Since no one else is as crazy as us, we literally had the path to ourselves. Because of the rain, we marched at a steady pace and completed the walk in the "advertised" time, something we never seemed to manage. Even though, sometimes we were completely in the clouds, when there was a break, watching the clouds move in and out was just as mesmerizing as clear views. 

* On Sunday we walked from Amalfi up to Pontone, Minuta, Scala, and Ravello; then down to Atrani. I was amazed to see that all the villages are connected by a maze of well maintained paths and stairs, not evident from studying maps at home. I had gathered from seeing all the terraced fields that the locals must be very hardworking. On this Sunday we came across more working horses/men than tourists on our walk.

* Accommodation is expensive, probably due to lack of competition (most places are not operating this early in the season) than demand. We ended up in a little studio apartment above the Duomo. Navigating to, from, and around the apartment was more challenging than any medina in Morocco; and more fun; and the church bells were much more insistent than any calls to prayers. The little walk between Atrani and Amalfi was similarly super fun.

Lowlights:

* Positano is totally overrated. Maybe it's even better seeing it deserted.

* All the beaches are worthless looking IMO.

Next time, we will stay a few weeks, in a place with a view, and walk more.

Starting the Path of the Gods walk.


Clouds moving in.


Even these goats were staying inside and dry.


The clouds clear...for a minute or two.




Of course it rained the hardest on the toughest part of the path. Sun-Ling could easily spot my orange umbrella. ;-)




View to Nocelle.


And as the trail gets easy, the rain almost stops and the clouds lift - we can see to the horizon.


We saw several of these "cable cars" used to move loads up the steep hills.




Ran into guy in Nocelle moving a load up the stairs with this mini, uh, .....What would one call it?


Positano.


Very cool Romanesque dog-fish image on the Positano Duomo Campanile.


Amalfi at dusk.


These Japanese guys were acting as if they were John, Paul, George and Ringo. ;-)




The Amalfi Duomo and Campanile.


View from our apartment window of the Campanile on morning two.


Heading up to Pontone.




Looking down to Amalfi.


Looking down to Pontone.


In Pontone, men and boys were using horses or donkeys or mules to move bales of feed for sheep and goats.




View to Ravello from Scala.


In Ravello there was a 19 km trail run in progress.


The finish was in front of the Duomo.


Inside the Duomo: 11th century workmanship.




View to Maiori.


We walk through amazing terraces of lemon trees on our way to Trani.








Trani.


A fun maze of stairs and alleys on the walk from Trani to Amalfi.




Amalfi at dusk.