Day 13: Sorrento

Sorrento, Italy

Pool day!! Despite the threats of thunderstorms today, we woke up to another gorgeous day in Sorrento! After a nice breakfast on the terrace overlooking the Bay of Naples we got comfortable at the pool. We noticed a cruise shipped arrived in town and imagine the city center is a little extra crowded today (perfect time to lay low at our resort). The pool area is spectacular – about 5 pools cascade down the mountain with various sitting areas and nooks! We found a nook the four of us could catch some sun in and catch the view (see this pic – I think we did ok scouting out a good spot)! I also think I could get used to laying under olive trees! After a quick dip in the pool and laying out for a few hours we noticed Bryan’s bee sting was quite agitated and the skin all around the area was very warm. The local hospital was right in town, so we decided to be precautions and make a visit to prevent infection/any discomfort for the flight home. We’re thankful it wasn’t a true emergency because it took some time to figure things out when we arrived to the hospital…luckily, we spotted a sign for a translator, but it took about 20 minutes before we could finally hunt down a nurse and asked her if she could locate the translator. We found the sign (see picture) to be pretty humorous 🙂 A very kind, young women finally emerged from the hospital and was immediately able to help. She took us to “registration” which was in the same room as the doctor and a few emergency rooms. We watched the lady at this computer hunt and peck on a keyboard (I think teaching typing classes in Italy could be vastly popular) to enter Bryan’s info and we were immediately taken to the doctor. Bryan was very quickly receiving a prescription for four different meds to combat his infected sting….we quickly headed down the street to the pharmacy and the pharmacist was extremely helpful. We thought 4 meds was a little overkill for a beer sting and she agreed. Bryan got a antibiotic and steroid and should now be comfortable for our last couple days/the trip home. We had lunch back by the pool and enjoyed a few more hours in the sun before a little rain appeared. We relaxed for an hour or so back on our room balconies and got ready to head out for the night. I guess there’s a silver lining in everything – after the rain disappeared we spotted a beyond beautiful rainbow covering the city/bay (see photo) just before we headed out for dinner! Dinner was at the Mueum Caruso Restaurant. What a neat experience! It is just off the main square and looks like an old building with stained glass windows, and a warm/traditional interior. It is part restaurant part museum dedicated to the great singer Caruso. One review of this restaurant commented “Stepping into the restaurant is like being transported back in time to the first part of the 20th century. It is like eating in the house from the original Godfather movie. It is very traditional and full of personal effects and photos that once belonged to Caruso.” They’re spot on. You are welcomed by the immaculate waiters and top notch service (down to having the appropriate glass wear/flat wear with each course). Tonight we all commented how much we’re going to miss this part of being in Italy…the service everywhere is exceptional. If we could get 20% of this effort in restaurants/stores back in America I think I could deal. Our meals were true works of art and all fabulous! Mom and I shared amazing crab stuffed ravioli; Jeff and Bryan had pasta with giant mussels in it, and we each tried our own main dish: lamb, pork chop, scampis and tuna steak! My tuna steak was served on top of a bed of lettuce with fresh saved green apples, oranges, and peaches. A combination I would never had thought to pair together, but it was so refreshing. We also had delicant desserts with dessert wine (like port), cappuccinos and lemoncello to close out our last night in Sorrento. Before heading to bed we strolled around the nicely light pool at our hotel and enjoyed the tail end of what turned out to be a beautiful night following the afternoon rain! Tomorrow we’ll lounge at the pool/hotel until about 1pm, and then we’re back to Rome for one more night before we start the adventure back home. Ciao!