TOWERS ON THE COAST

It's just a 20 minute climb up a concrete staircase at the end of the lungomare in Minori. Then another 200 meters along the narrow Amalfi Drive with no sidewalk and cars and tour buses passing within a few inches of your shoulder. Hand-painted ceramic road markers indicate the route for drivers. Magnificant views of the beach and bathers are a distraction the pedestrian cannot afford.But it's such a rush to arrive at the entrance to the Torre dei Normanni Ristorante and the view over the top of the old Norman watchtower.
Towers like this one are scattered up and down the western coastline of Italy...reminders of Italy's history of constant invasion by occupying forces. Some towers have held up well and have been restored to house romantic restaurants and exclusive hotels. Others have been left to the elements suffering wind and water erosion. But they are all evocative of a rich, dramatic history.

GOATS IN THE ROAD

You just never know what's going to turn up in the road that will cause you to slam on the breaks and shake your head in amazement! On a recent trip to Naples and the Amalfi Coast we (almost) ran into some very amusing and not-so-amusing obstacles. Negotiating the hair-raising switch-back turns that are the main road along this part of coastal Italy is a challenge. Add to that the inevitable cyclist, motorbike, pedestrian or tourbus.....and that's normal. Then you might come across a party in one of the roadside restaurants that doesn't have adequate parking......so....SURPRISE!!!!...a row of parked cars appears in your lane as you come around a tight turn. Or how about a tour bus driver and a city bus driver approaching a tight turn from opposite directions and neither one will yield.........or a rooster...or a herd of goats...or a spill of San Marzano tomatoes...all in a day's drive...and it's so worth it when you finally arrive at the restaurant for an authentic Neapolitan pizza!