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| The hostel patio in Positano - very nice! |
| Glenn's Positano Journals 5-17-02 Friday morning and today's plan was to relax on the beach after what seemed to be a long week of traveling from Greece to Italy. We also needed to check email and write to Jana to see if they made it and what the possibilities of meeting up would be. We also had to relocate to the pensione and check out at the hostel was 9:00 am. We awoke around 7:30 am, showered, and packed our bags enough to get us over to the pensione. Once over at the pensione we dropped our bags off and headed down to the beach (Spiaggia del Fornillo). The Spiaggia del Fornillo was straight down the hill from the pensione and was a little more secluded than Spiaggia Grande (the main beach in town). We quickly found out why as the walk straight down to the beach was long (and, of course, a good work out for us young guys). The good news was that the reward for this effort included a restaurant down on the beach that offered a buffet breakfast for only 5 Euros per person. We were all up for that and enjoyed cereal, bread and jam, yogurt, croissants, juice, and hot beverages. It was yummy!!! They also had internet, which both couples took advantage of. The connection was not the best but it sufficed long enough for us to email Jana and Ray and check emails from them. Jana and Ray had gone to Pompeii today and were still hoping to be in Positano on Saturday, but if not then we might be able to catch up in Rome early next week. After breakfast and internet we headed down to the beach to relax, sun ourselves, read a good book, and play in the water. We played at the beach for quite a few hours before deciding to head over to the Spiaggia Grande (or main beach). The few items that we hoped to check out were obtaining a map from information (which is only open until 2 pm on weekdays), and price boat rentals for an excursion on Saturday. We were also ready for lunch. We found information open, bought panini's for lunch, and then headed to the beach to do some more relaxing. One of the last tasks of the day was to check into renting a boat for excursions on Saturday. There were a few places to choose from along the port. Each had boat rentals including driver. Some were more specific pre-determined tours around the islands to the emerald grotto or to Capri and the azure (blue) grotto. The tours ranged as high as 80 Euro per person, which was way out of our price range. We did find a group that had a small boat for 4 persons with driver for 200 Euros, but they did have a bigger boat for 10 people for 300 Euros. We continued to let them know that we really could not afford 300 Euros and that we had to check with another couple before we could confirm. At that point we walked away with the information that we had until we could locate the other couple, Radha and Amon, whom we had met at the hostel, to verify their interest. The four of us did not want to spend 75 Euros per person for a boat. We then went to relax on the beach while Erin decided to head home to shower and relax on the deck at home. Dave and Marile were hanging around the beach waiting for the sun to position itself for photo opportunities at the end of the day. Upon preparing to depart for photos, we decided to go ahead and reserve the 200 Euro a day boat for Saturday anyway. Well, upon talking with the gentleman again, we learned a few more things like the boat for 4 people for 200 Euros was for only half a day with limitations, but, again, the boat for 300 Euros per day would suit us better. The gentleman at the counter continued to press the issue about the bigger boat, even inviting us to see the boat, as that would convince us that we could afford more. I had left my towel and other belongings on the beach so I passed on checking out the boat, but Dave and Marile went. By now I was impressed with Marile's persistence and bartering techniques so I trusted that she could work a deal if a deal was to be had. Sure enough, upon their return they had a deal on a different boat that held 6+ people for only 200 Euros for the day, which included going anywhere we wished including Capri. Somewhere along the way we agreed to reserve it even without waiting to see if Radha and Amon were going to join us. From here Dave and Marile took off to take photos and I went back to my relaxing and falling asleep on the beach. I awoke around 5:30 pm when the sun was disappearing behind the mountain and quickly cooling off my beach location. I headed back to the room to clean up before dinner. Erin looked very relaxed and was happy to have had a hot shower. I quickly cleaned up with a hot shower of my own and we headed out for dinner. Tonight we were going to try the Mediteranneo where Dave and Marile had eaten last night with good recommendations, especially for the Mediteranean salad. Dinner was excellent!!! After dinner we caught up with Dave, Marile, Radha, and Amon to learn how to play Shanghai Rummy. We played cards until 11:30 pm or so when Radha and Amon had to head back to the hostel in time for curfew. That was fine with me, as I was pretty worn out from the day at the beach. We all called it a night and off to bed we went. |
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| Every balcony had flowers in Positano, especially this beachfront cafe/hotel |