Chasing summer

Hello again!
It is almost 2 years since I have visited this site, I am sure the same applies to most of you. Hello to any new friends and welcome back to everyone else.

So here I am browsing over my previous journal, I find myself a little surprised how many little adventures I have forgotten. It is now that many of my memories come flooding back. Pondering now more seriously over what lays ahead of me the dream begins to become reality. After all the sad farewells I find my feet leading me down the path toward the airstrip - my rucksack on my back (if it weren’t for my new toy, my DSLR) it could almost be deja vu.

I chose a direct flight to London however going cheap I get stuck with a few stopovers - Now I ask myself, 'is it worth saving a few hundred dollars?' My fist stop over is in Bangkok Thailand where I have to spend just over 8 hours. Wandering the airport (it's not worth paying the airport tax and the time taken to leave the airport and return) so wandering back and forth becomes my past time. After finding a coffee shop I read a little, potter around on my laptop when a stranger approaches me for a conversion (Once in travel mode this is so common I think nothing of it and welcome the company) 8 hours pass and I'm up in the air again. A brief stop over in Austria and 27hrs later touch down at Heathrow!

Fighting off jet lag for the night and following day (which is which I don't know) as slumber tumbles me from one to the other, I lose track. It's only been 2 nights and I am itching to get a move on. London is after all... just London.

After some speedy searches I book a flight to Italy - destination Sorrento. Last I heard from my parents they were somewhere in that area and looking forward to seeing me. The flight takes longer than I had imagined. Maybe I have brought a little too much jet lag along with me? However finally I touch down in Naples. Exiting the airport I am rudely made aware of my failure to dress correctly as the blistering summer heat makes a mess of my senses. 'This is not what I had imagined...' I think 'Am I at the right place?'
Finding a buss, train, anything but a cab seems a little less strait forward than usual. I had thought this would be a major airport... I soon learn or remember - this is Italy!
After waiting 1hr for the next buss... major airport? *shrug* I climb aboard and off we go - destination Sorrento. The buss driver seems nice enough but not interested in parting with too many words - even to native speakers I noticed. A few fellow passengers getting restless with the thought they may miss their stop and for some funny reason I assume the ‘know it all’ and reassure them that we are not there yet and will let them know when we get there. (Unknown to them I am not 100% confident I will even know when the stop arrives) However once we round the last corner it just feels right - looking around I notice a big train station, then doubts rest assured I inform my fellow worried travelers, a little smile of excitement mixed with relief betrays my eyes.
Destination Amalfi Coast - Italy. After a quick phone call (today’s technology makes it so easy). I find that Mum and Dad are casually exploring around Sorrento and just in time I rock up - perfect! A warm welcome and we're off to their camp site. The camper van they bought is more than I had imagined. Beautiful interior two large beds, shower, cooking, wheels and what more could you want. (This is something new to me) Only one problem I forgot to mention. ‘Mum, Dad I brought a friend.... first name Jet, last name Lag... Do you mind if I try out one of your beds...’

The following day I'm ready to roll and Dad has plenty to show me. Now I'm awake I see everything in a new light. This place is beautiful!

After exploring the town of Sorrento all parties agree it's time to see more of the famous Amalfi Coast line. We pack light and catch a buss up the coast, Fellow travelers had warned us that it might not be for the faint hearted. The buss driver drives as though it is HIS road. There is no MY side and bikes take the middle. Passing where there is the smallest gap. This all adds to the excitement and bound by a deep blue Mediterranean Sea, steep cliffs and gardens blooming all around. I'm sure all aboard are thinking to themselves what can top this.

The next item on the agenda is the Isle of Capri. Capri is just off the east coast of Italy’s main land - dressed with the most wealthy residences makes this island is most exotic. A boat tour is the best, only real way to see everything. The tour circumnavigates the Isle stopping off at the most popular destinations - namely the grotto's. These are like caves in the sides of the island. There is the white, green and most popular blue grotto. In order to witness the charm of the blue grotto one must enter the sometimes small opening via a dingy. Once inside you look back to the entrance and witness the suns rays illuminating the water. All the surroundings are almost pitch black adding to the dramatic majesty of this Grotto Azure.

A few days have past since my arrival so we all agree, it's time to pack and move on. We are now about to embark on the main goal of our mission and the target is Greece! It is sad to say goodbye to the Amalfi coast however we are eager to see what our next destination has to offer. Our next step is to find a ferry to take us over to the Peloponnesian Island (the largest of the Greek islands I think)

---

---