The walk begins. Ravello on the Amalfi Coast

Yesterday we were delivered by our driver to Ravello on the Amalfi Coast from whence we begin our 7 day walk. On leaving Naples we drove down the motorway, Italian style, rather fast 110 km 30 above the speed signs. This scenario reminds me of the roads in the UAE. 3 lanes wide, fast, medium and slow allowing movement from one  lame to the other depending on the traffic and circumstances. We sucked it up as our driver careered off down the fast lane, however not once did we fear for our lives, just slight in trepidation as I watched the speed needle. Then we turned off the motorway and began the long accent up and over the "mountains". Mere steep hills in New Zealand! This route however was a windy, narrow and slow accent, a bit like the Takaka Hill with a great deal of negotiation around parked cars, or around corners with cars coming in the opposite direction. All of this was done with out tooting or abuse and a great deal of negotiation.  If car A remains stationary then B can squeeze passed allowing A to move on.

Ravello is a village perched high up on literally the cliff tops at the head of a number of very productive valleys.  385 m above the sea. The views, spectacular out over the Bay of Scala and out over the small gardens on the terraced hill sides. The whole landscape is literally dotted with paths and steps and more steps. Hundreds and thousands of the blighters, steep and large.



We have explored the village, renown for its ceramics, and the surrounding villas. This included Villa Cimbrone, once owned by Wagner and Greta Garbo. If you have ever watched the film, Food and Travel through Italy they too stood on the Terrace of Infinity. We jostled for position around selfie
sticks to take our pics of paradise.
The food is fabulous, as are most of the people. So

helpful and willing to chat. A stroll down to the village square for a meal, a glass of local vino in hand and lots of people watching is a great way to pass the evening and to chat with the locals. The village square in this tiny village is definitely the place for conversation, coffee and congregation of the families in an evening. We feel like locals and totally at home. Caio.