Wheels of a Dream

I don’t know where to begin to describe my day to you.  It was CERTAINLY once-in-a-lifetime.  It was breathtaking and I will do my very best to never forget it!  Seriously.  Okay- let me just start at the beginning.  I had morning duties running games on the ship, which is always exciting.  (No one came to shuffleboard and I played bocce with Cybil and her husband who couldn’t’ bend over to pick up the bocce balls.)  Then I ran and woke up Elena to get on a tender quickly and ride into the day’s port, Sorrento, Italy. 

Last year I was in Sorrento for about 2 hours, but I never guessed I would be back here so soon and I laughed when I arrived at the exact spot I remembered from my previous visit.

On my visit before, Laura and I had wanted to drive down the coast, but just didn’t have time.  The Amalfi coastline is world famous for its jaw-dropping views of the Italian hillside towns built into cliffs that just crash into the blue Med water.  The road just barely balances along these cliffs, making for an incredible drive.  Today I got info about a rental store and Elena and I headed there quickly.  We were sat on renting a scooter for the day and trying to drive along the coast!

Upon our arrival the young man and woman behind the counter let us know it would be 30 euro for the day for a two person scooter (a steal) plus some extra for insurance.  We handed over a credit card and our driver’s licenses, tried on helmets, and then the question of the hour: “Have you ever driven a scooter before????”  I very reluctantly answered no- that I had not driven a scooter thinking that was that.  The day was over or maybe we could rent a car.  “No problem!  I show you,” was the response we got!  Ha ha!  I was over-the moon!  Being the official driver, I was tested on starting and stopping (by far the most difficult part of driving one of these suckers).  The first try I just swerved all over and my instructor told me to use my feet to balance.  Then it all clicked.  From there I was fine and after doing it once more, I was given my driving test.  We went to a quiet road and the instructor had me drive down and back.  That was it!  I couldn’t believe it, but within 15 minutes I was entrusted with an aquamarine motor scooter and Elena Shapiro’s life.  Ha ha! 

It was a quick drive out of town following signs for Naples and then Positano to get us onto the legendary strip of highway.  From the first moment we were just giddy and screaming at the views before us.  We were high up in the mountains looking down on crystal blue waters and our own tiny ship in the harbor!  We were on top of the world and I cant’ tell the last time I had so much fun!  We were going around CRAZY hairpin turns every to seconds and laughing as we were being passed by locals on their own scooters. 

We pulled over at one point and I gave Elena a quick lesson and she did very well, so she drove for a few miles as well, with my guidance of putting on the gas or braking just for the stops and starts. 

Finally we arrived into Positano and our exploring began.  We walked down some steps and eventually drove through the downtown area.  Elena ended up buying a beautiful dress from a man with whom she bargained a good price for his creation.  By the end of our visit we were starving so we found a restaurant and parked ourselves.  Again- an awesome meal!  We were in a full dining room of 3 tiny tables with local families sitting in the other seats.  I had a glass of the local wine and the “Gnocchi of the Chef” which was a pesto gnocchi (potato pasta) with bacon, spinach, and tomatoes in it.  The meal was incredible and we were sad it was over and we had to make our return journey. 

Coming back the views were just as stunning as earlier and the drive was smoother after I had had some practice!  Ha ha!  It just turned out to be one of the best days on our journey yet!  The rental store was closed when we returned, but they just had us leave the key out with the scooter (which Elena and I nicknamed “Lady Liberty” after noticing the brand “Liberty” on the side of it).  I left a thank you note, though, letting them know how special the experience had been. 

On our return back to the ship by shuttle bus and tender we talked with some passengers who had done a similar tour, driving along the coast and having lunch in Positano, but they were with lots of passengers on a coach bus. They said, “Man!  That sounds great- that’s what we’ll have to do next time we are here!”  It was great.  Anyway- next time we are in a port I want to explore further by motor scooter I can answer yes to the question of whether I have driven one before! Ha!  What AWESOME day!

Tripp