LEG 6: SALERNO AGROPOLI AMALFI RAVELLO SAILING THE AMALFI COAST July 4 to July 13 The arrival of the Macdonald team from Vancouver was a great event. The planning of Leg 6 was pivotal in the logistics of sailing from Marmaris to Salerno. It seemed that leaving in early April would work easily. However I did not anticipate enough days of bad unseasonal weather around Croatia and S Italy so we had a big push to get through the Strait of Messina and finally 700 miles later, into Salerno! The total now is over 2000 from Marmaris. Allan put a great together great team from Vancouver Toronto and Nevada with Yardena, Devyn and Luana. We were all sorry Ian could not come at last minute. We are all interested in the beauty and the depth of the history of this region so it was very easy to agree on the jaunting about. The map shows our cruising grounds along the Gulf of Salerno and the Amalfi coast.
Golfo di Salerno. Our playground for the next 10 days
Our first sail is to Agropoli. We were lucky to have a kind gentle breeze. This provided a perfect chance for Devyn to practice helming with the big sensitive Manca wheel.
Allan and Devyn sailing out of Salerno
Devyn very quickly learned the correct Bruce Farr position for helming. She has great concentration and will make a great sailor when she gets time away from her intensive studies.
Agropoli sunset on the city bluffs
Terry and Devyn. We enjoy great views above the harbor and...great seafood!
Allan and Devyn at Agropoli. Salerno is back in the distance
Agropoli sunset. Amalfi in the distance
Our first walk back into history was to visit Paestum. The highlights here are the three well preserved Doric temples, the extensive remains of the old city and the wonderful museum.
Doric temple of Ceres with the Paestum rose in foreground
Paestum Doric temple of Ceres later named Athena with massive Doric columns. The local limestone has withstood the winter storms since 500BC.
Devyn and Paestum mosaics.
Detail of mosaic
Paestum - I think Devyn is standing over the Paestum swimming pool.
Doric temple of Neptune Paestum 5thcentury BC
Allan and Devyn checking the plan of the extensive Paestum city.
Paestum - Doric temple of Hera 14 columns long a massive structure. The city prospered because it was accessible from the sea. Now after silting it is a few miles inland.
Hera and Neptune and a long view north of the city
Clay masks for sale at Paestum
Paestum - black figure vase with a head to be examined! Who knows the story? Please write back to me!
The Paestum museum has a wonderful collection of simple drawings from the inside of burial tombs depicting the lives of the entombed! Here men entertaining men.
“The Diver” now a famous tomb drawing perhaps because of the simplicity and grace.
Men enjoy music and entertainment. I think it is the double flute on the right.
Paestum - painted tombs chariot race with 4 horses IV century BC
Paestum - tomb painting of the returning warrior
Black figure vase painting. Who is riding the white bull? A Free beer to first one to guess and email me. Google is allowed.
Paestum - chariot race with pair of horses.
Some great finds from Paestum excavations.It is good to find that it has not all been removed by the Brits and the Germans. Love is in the air?
T he Paestum museum is beautifully presented. The ancient rose variety from 5th century… at least.
Paestum - sun masks and ceramics
During the sail back to Salerno Allan enjoys a swim in the Golfo di Salerno.
Deck work is quite demanding. Manca is on auto pilot. Crew relaxing! SOG 5.7. Skipper is NOT sleeping.
Salerno to Amalfi. Yardena on whale watch duty a very relaxing day. No whales.
Devyn learned tacking and helming very quickly.
Sailing along the Amalfi coast we enjoyed the beautiful seascapes; castles, terraces, villas, the lush agriculture.
Amalfi comes into view
Amalfi coast - Ravello is up on the crest of the hill. The only modern building is the white blob. I think is i a museum.
Amalfi the villas have survived partly because of the rugged terrain.
Julio, the dock master, comes out in his red rubber ducky to meet us then pilots Manca into an incredibly small harbor tucked in between a rock and a restaurant. Stunning views surround us.
Amalfi views from the bow of Manca. Wow to wake up to this.
Manca snug inside the harbor walls
Manca and Amalfi behind.
Manca’s progress from Mamaris April 9 to Amalfi July 10
Amalfi and Duomo Plaza
Detail of the 13 century Chiostro del Paradisio well preserved.
Our favorite hang out for croissant and coffee. The cafe is in the Lonely Planet. Left to right Yardena, Luana, Allan and Devyn.
The Andrea Pansa: Yardena and Devyn
Amalfi. Devyn and Terry smiling after chocolate croissant
The crew decides to go to Capri by ferry. We were told it could be 200 Euros a night for Manca. So it seemed easier to take the fast ferry from Amalfi. 38 Euros return. I had the chance to take the bus to Ravello. Here I was stunned by the beauty and the vistas. I spent nearly six hours strolling around with no fixed plan. A photographer’s paradise. Seems you could point the lens anywhere and get a great scene.
The little red bus is the way to go to Ravello. 3.50 Euros
Lemons are a popular motif. They they grow in abundance on the terraces steep slopes of Amalfi.
Wagner helped make the town’s music festivals popular.
Ravello
On the way to Cimbrone Villa I stumbled into a church with this beauty hiding in a corner.
Part of the monastery at the entrance to Cimbrone Villa.
Cimbrone Gardens
Cimbrone Villa Misty Sea view
View looking south from the bluffs of Cimbrone
Cimbrone Villa view looking north to Amalfi
Cimbrone seas view with umbrella pines. These beautiful trees also produce large edible pine nuts.
CIMBRONE - HOTEL GRETA GARBO SLEPT HERE! Thanks a lot! NOW THE CHEAPEST ROOM IS 800 EUROS
I ENJOYED A WONDERFUL LINGUINE FRUTTI DI MARE AND A GLASS OF LOCAL WHITE. NO TAX NO COPERTO 21 EUROS. THE VIEW AND GARDENS MADE IT WORTH EVERY CENT.
IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR AN ARTIST TO CAPTURE THE BEAUTY OF RAVELLO THOUGH MANY TRY. THE PAINTING SEEM IMPOSSIBLY BEAUTIFUL BUT IT TAKES A VERY GOOD PAINTER TO DESCRIBE THE REAL BEAUTY
AMALFI TO RAVELLO GARDENS TERRACES AND THE SEA
LATER IN THE AFTERNOON I STUMBLED INTO MANY BEAUTIFUL HOTEL GARDENS AND LOBBYS NO MATTER HOW EXPENSIVE - NO ONE SEEMED TO MIND ME TAKING PHOTOS. VILLAS BEAUTIFULLY MANTAINED
THE AGED TERRACES PROVIDE A BEAUTIFUL SETTING FOR THE HOTEL LAWNS AND GARDENS
THE BIG GLASS OF RED CAME WITH A BIG BOWL OF MUNCHIES AND OLIVES, A STUNNING VIEW AND LACE TABLE MATS 8 EUROS
RAVELLO INFINITY BAR
One of the hairpin bends on the way up the steep hills to Ravello
TIME TO PLAY IN THE GARDEN!
JUILO'S LOCAL KNOWLEDGE WS REQUIRED TO SQUEEZE MANCA INTO THIS NCIHE AMONGST THE ROCKS
Smiling cruisers Luana Devyn Allan Yardena at end of Amali cruise! Was great fun to have you sail on Manca!
The team packed and ready to fly to France for the next adventure: The Grand Tour 0f 2013. Hurry back please great sailing ahead!
THE TRUNDLE AROUND SALERNO AGROPOLI AMALFI AND RAVELLO A BEAUTIFUL ADVENTURE. ALLAN AND CREW ALSO JUMPED AT THE CHANCE TO ADD POSITANO AND CAPRI THEIR DAILY JUANTS. GREAT FUN FO ALL.
BETTER PROOF READ THIS AGAIN BEFORE FIRING IT OFF TO MIRAN OUR TRUSY WEBMASTER. LEG 7 IS A LONG ONE AMALFI TO NICE FRANCE NEARLY 400 WITH LOTS OF STOPS IN SARDINNAIA ND COSRICA WE MAY HAVE A CHANCE FOR A LAND TRIP TO ROME.LAS TWO WEEKS THE WEATHER HS BEEN KIND.
OOPPS THUNDER ROLLING OVER THE HILLS NOW TIME FOR A COLD BEER
AMALFI SUNDAY 14 2013
Manca location at end of Leg 6