We take the bus to Positano, Ravello and Amalfi. the trip is breaktaking and beautiful as we pass through towns first looking back to Sorrento and Capri, and then the Amalfi coast. Again olive trees, and orange and lemon groves are everywhere. Houses clinging to hillsides, with roof gardens exqusitely planted and refreshed with spring flowers. There is of course a premium on flat space so hills are terraced and carefully planted. The morning colours of far away hills are soft mauves and purples. The beauty of this coast is breathtaking and the bus trip astonishing with the navigation skills of bus drivers. Everyone takes care on this road and we arrive safely. Within minutes of arriving in Positano, I spot an antique shop and am now travelling with 6 beautiful champagne glasses, made in Venice in 1940's handpainted in gold.

 And, an arabic coffee pot from 1910 which had found its way into this shop owned by Il Capitano, an old salt who had worked in the oil industry and travelled to the Arab countries, India and Australia in his time. I am carrying these in my handluggage, an extra handbag (yes a handbag of glory!) I just had to buy in Napoli. I am hoping I get these things back safely to New Zealand. We have lunch in a seaside cafe and choose fried fishes and salad which is beautiful. Shahla has a great eye for non touristy cafes which means the food we are eating is fantastic and not so expensive.

We take another bus for Ravello which is up further. We walk to Saint Frances of Assissi's resting place from 14 C. On the way there are stunning views of old farm houses set against the sky line, beauiful patios with the sea far below. We take a late afternoon coffee in the piazza in Ravello and are stung for our coffee here.  I am philosphical about this as its hard not to be caught and take advantage of the seating outside of the cafes. there  are no prices for the coffee, nor any indication of the service charges until you receive the bill (il conti), by then of course it is too late. The sour taste left in your mouth doesnt last long knowing you are in one of the most beatiful places in the world and to linger over coffee is a great thing to do on holiday. The cornetto I had was pastry filled with ricotta and caramelised orange peel. Probably the best I hade ever tasted. The scene above is the Ravello piazza and the costly coffee location.

Back to Amalfi by another bus and we wander into the piazza there. There is a large staircase leading to a beatiful church painted with golds. Somehow the italians have managed to retain the former glory of these magnificant churches.

We begin our bus trip back to Sorrento around 6pm and the setting sun reflects and beginnings of the night lights flickering along the coast reflect a deeply satisfying day. There is a warm buzz in many different languages on the bus. Over the trip home a number of young people get onto the bus, ready for their saturday night out. Each one greets the driver, buona sera, and the driver greets each person. I notice both a deep valuing of each individual identity here, and a respectful greeting beginning each connections. The driver easily engages with who ever is standing closest. These buses are full yet not crowded and I feel lucky to be part of all of this generous spirit.