Thursday, July 16, 2000 Day 12

We got up, had breakfast and were on our way to the Isle of Capri(means Isle of the goats but was in fact Isle of the Wild Boars.

We boarded a boat and it took us about 30 minutes to get to the port (Marina Grande ) at the Isle of Capri. It is simply beautiful. We took a private boat around the island and our tour guide was Maria. The water is actually emerald and aquamarine. It is the most beautiful sight you ever want to see.

These splendid geological formations undoubtedly the best known feature of the island's jagged form - hold the numerous nests of Capri's large diomedei gulls. The first outcropping (Stella, or "Star) is joined to the coast and stands 109 m. high; the second (di Mezzo, or "Middle') is 81 m. high and has a natural tunnel roughly 60 m. in length that passes right through it, the third faraglione (reef), is 104 m. high and inhabited by the blue lizard (lacerta muralis coerulea), now a rare, protected specie.

A fourth faraglione, standing by itself in front of the Port of Tragara, is called the Monacone, named after the sea lion or "Monaca' ("Nun') seal that lived there until the last century.

The remains of Roman structures - which actually consist of an access stairway and a tub for collecting water and raising fish - have contributed to the legend that Masgaba, the African architect of the island's Augustan buildings, was buried there.

After the tour of the island we took a Minibuses for a panoramic tour eventually arriving at Anacapri situated at 280 meters above sea level from where you will have a wonderful view of the bay of Naples. If you don't use the minibus, your other alternative is to climb the 752 steps - Phoenician steps. These steps are actually closed when the two cities are not talking. We had lunch at the Buena Bella Vista. A pretty restaurant overlooking the beautiful waters of the Isle of Capri. We had a delicious salad and a choice of either homemade pasta or fish. We had ice cream for dessert. It was a delicious meal. We stopped in the Town of Capri for Limoncello tasting and then we toured the gardens. We then took the funicular to the port to catch the jet foil. It took us 20 minutes to get to Sorrento.

From 4:30 - 6:00 we went to the pool to relax.

For supper we went to The Ristorante Antico Franchischiello da Peppino.