The island of Capri is reachable only by ferry or private transport. We took a bus ride to the Port of Sorrento and bought a ticket on the hydrofoil that left in 2 minutes.........we ran down the dock, out to slip 5 and panted up the gangplank of the boat. In a quick 20 minutes, we docked in Capri.
Bombarded by vendors selling tickets on commercial tourist boats around the island and to see the Blue Grotto, we tried to avoid the commotion as we figured out what to do, found a bathroom and an ATM machine. Can't do much without cash. A local, older man wanted us to go with him and offered various options of touring, from which we could design our own specific adventure. He was kind, friendly, not too high pressure, left us alone to contemplate, then found us an ATM and a bathroom. He also rounded up another couple and told us if we all went around the island with him, it would be a bargain and a great one!
I love bargains. I gave him 50 euros and we were off. His name was Gennarino. His boat was small, but doable. I asked him if he had lifejackets......no, he says, just hold on to him if anything happens. So, no life jackets, no insurance or bonding, no license, no cell phone.....I put my trust in him. The other couple was Italian and did not speak much English, but they were friendly and laughed easy, so it was a good time.
We boated around the whole island. Gennarino had lived there most of his life, so he knew what was what, the legends, the stories and what I understood, was all good. Many rich families have homes on the island, the Krupps (as in appliances), the Onasis (as in Jackie), the Gerbers (as in baby food), the Ferraris (as in the car) and also the King of Sweden to name a few. Romans used to travel to the island in the middle ages to swim. Roman kings would make love to virgins and then throw them off the cliffs so they would never make love to another.......wow, what a way to go.
We saw caves, blue grottos, stalagmites and stalagtites, clear blue water and brilliant shear cliffs. It was awesome to be on the water and to see what you could never see from walking the island. After our boat tour, we did walk. Took a funicular tram up to the top, where the Capri village is and walked around from there. We went thru narrow pathways, right, left, up, stairs, turns......beautiful private residences hidden behind gates, with lovely gardens and a tropical feel. I took 140 pictures that day.
I would love to go back to Capri another time and stay longer.....expensive I am sure, but the memories would be priceless.
