Thursday, October 9 –

Relaxed start to the day as we weren’t changing hotels. Got up in time to see the sunrise outside our balcony–just beautiful.

Did a quick resistance workout (just arms and core, legs getting plenty of work, see photoof stairs). FYI, a bidet works for doing dips in a pinch (I know you all needed to know that )

It was another perfect weather day, so after breakfast, we set out on today’s hike. It took us across an ancient route, through some varied terrain and then on towards the town of Amalfi.

Along the way, we ascended to explore the area up and around the Torre della Ziro, an old watchtower. After spending time up and around there, the route backtracked a bit. We determined it was a good time for lunch, so we stopped in the tiny village of Pontone for a pizza before heading down into the Valle della Ferriere Nature Reserve.

The Valley contains a very different topography than that of the other areas we explored. Lush greenery, a rushing stream and waterfalls, and an ancient itonworks that once produced nails for shipbuilding. It felt almost like a land that time forgot, with vegetation taking over the stone and concrete buildings once used for manufacturing.

The valley eventually led us to the seaside town of Amalfi, the largest town on the coast. It was here that we encountered the vast tourist crowds I had read about and feared. My distaste for being jostled by the crowds was not helped by a very full bladder. We stopped for a drink at a cafe with a beautiful view of the Duomo (and drink prices reflective of that) but also a blissfully uncrowded bathroom.

With that issue resolved, I could enjoy the drink and the views and tolerate the crowds. We subsequently visited the Duomo and its museum, dedicated to St Andrew. It contained a number of relics, which makes it important to the church, while still being a bit baffling to me.

From Amalfi, we took a bus up the steep and narrow roads back to Ravello, admiring how far we had traveled on foot.

After time to clean up, we found a lovely little restaurant tucked along a wall of the city and enjoyed a fine meal. We finished at a gelato shop, never a bad way to end the day.

Another day of too many photos and too many amazing views. I suspect this will not get old

24,907 steps

11.1 miles

80 floors