After breakfast we made our way to the bus stop in order to catch the bus to Amalfi where we intended to catch a water bus to Salerno. Once again the bus did not arrive as scheduled but on this occasion we only had to wait 30 minutes. The boat trip was enjoyable, stopping off at different ports on the way to Salerno. On the journey I tried to get to grips with my mobile phone camera so that I could document the day. The camera seems to have a mind of its own and features I thought I had turned off kept catching me out when I found that they were in fact turned on!
Once in Salerno we headed towards the Cathedral (Duomo di Salerno) stopping for lunch on the way. We knew we were in non-tourist Italy because the Italians knew only a little English which made ordering food fun and we weren’t completely sure what we would get. As we waited for the food to arrive Mr C located a nearby electrical store by searching on Google. It was only a short distance away and we went there after we had finished our lunch. I had low expectations of finding a suitable small camera but felt it was worth a look.
As we entered the store we were greeted by a man who indicated that we had to put our bags in a blue locking shoulder bag (to stop petty theft from the store). Mr C asked him if the store sold cameras and he pointed us in the right direction.
Unexpectedly the shop did have the type of camera I was looking for and Mr C was able to translate the tech specs for me. I chose the camera I wanted; we conducted a conversation half in Italian and half in English. I was offered a case at discount price and a memory card was added to my purchase. The shop assistant who was helping us with our purchase gave us a ticket and pointed to the cash desk. Once the item had been paid for, we were given a different ticket and had to ask what we were supposed to do with it. We had to go back to the camera counter and the purchased items were released to us. We then had to return the cash desk so that the items could be put in a carrier bag. Our personal bags were then released from the blue security bags. As we left the shop the door alarm went off, they had forgotten to swipe the security tag on the camera…
Purchase complete, we headed to the Cathedral which is plain, simple and extremely peaceful. It was only as we entered the crypt that I realised it housed the body of St Matthew which had been brought there in the 10th century. The crypt was also very peaceful and we sat for a while in reflection.
We made our way back to the harbour and purchased our return ticket to Ravello. The journey back was quicker than the one earlier in the day because this boat sailed directly to Amalfi where we caught the bus back up the hill to Ravello. Once back in Ravello we assumed our position in one of the cafe bars in the square, enjoying the sunshine before it was time to go to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.
We had chosen to dine in the Michelin starred Rossellinis Restaurant in the Hotel Palazzo Avino. The evening was an experience with a perfect view over the Amalfi Bay towards Minori and Majori all accompanied by a musical duo playing English classic songs. On arrival I was provided with a footstool for my handbag and the waiter in charge introduced himself before asking if we would like Pink Champagne as an aperitif. We were provided with a gourmet selection of bread (to which we did not do justice) as we sipped our Champagne and chose our meals from the menu. After our orders had been taken the wine list was produced – it was a mighty tome which would have taken a week to read. Mr C’s starter arrived before a wine decision had been made so a side table was provided for the wine list. Mr C enlisted help to choose a suitable ‘local’ dry white wine to accompany the meal. In between courses we were presented with tasty morsels to complement the meal. The desserts were delightful, I had chosen Tiramisu with a difference; it was a taste sensation. Mr C had chosen a dessert that was intriguingly entitled ‘Memories of Mont Blanc’. When it arrived it looked like a candle (or perhaps a stick of dynamite) complete with wick. The waiter proceeded to light the wick and said ‘I am not a terrorist’. The burning wick was supposed to unleash the smell of vanilla…
Comfortably replete, we soaked up the atmosphere as we sipped the remainder of our wine with yet more tasty morsels. All too soon the evening came to an end and it was time to retire for the evening.
I love your restaurant description. The service sounds fab, I appreciate a good wine list and …. I want to visit too! We’re thinking of planning a trip to the south, so I’m going to remember your travels here.
This is a restaurant that you should visit for the experience. I would also recommend the Villa Maria Restaurant, excellent food and service but quite different in style.
What an eventful time. I am envious. The whole area looks and sounds gorgeous, despite the odd ways of Italian shopkeepers.
I have taken an unintended hint from a few days earlier and named the restaurant in the Tavern, Ristorante Parzival, in acknowledgement of your travels and your fine accounts
I am sure you would love it there
A fine name for your Restaurant and yours has an equally fine view as its Italian counterpart