Capri + Scooter = Awesome

On my boyfriend’s last day in Italy we went to Capri, one of the three Islands which lay in the Golf of Naples. It’s well known as being a tourist hot spot as well as very pricey. (Random fact for you all: Did you know that Angela Merkel likes holidaying yearly on the larger, less touristy Island of Ischia?)

Now everyone has told me since I arrived that I must not miss out on a trip to Capri and that I must go there with my boyfriend because it is sooooooo romantic. So it was always going to be on the itinerary for his visit, although it moved to the Friday due to the weather.

We travelled to Capri, unsurprisingly by a small ferry. I ferry ride was awful. We were not allowed on deck so it was incredibly stuffy and the sea was very lively, so you can imagine how incredibly seasick we both became. While we tried to distract ourselves from the persistent rocking of the boat, we read a flyer that had been handed to us when we boarded. It advertised a company who rented out boats for you to drive around the island. The boats appeared to be mini motorised yachts with space to lie and sunbathe. At 80 euro for two hours we were very tempted. I imagined us driving around the island for a bit, then stopping in one of the areas on the leaflet which is suggested for swimming, playing in the water for a bit, then carry on a bit more, the boyfriend at the wheel of the boat, me working on my tan. Unfortunately when we got to Capri all of the boats were occupied and there was a line of people waiting for them to return. We only had four hours on the Island so we decided to abandon our dream.

But all was not lost. Just before we got to the boat stand I had seen a sign advertising scooters for rental. In a bid to try and see as much of the Island as possible in our limited amount of time, I suggested something completely out of the ordinary: “let’s rent a scooter”. I’m usually against motorised two wheeled methods of transportation and refuse to let my boyfriend buy or even ride a motorbike or moped, however I did always have the hope that when I came to Italy I could ride around the streets on a Vespa. This was thrown out of the window as soon as I stepped foot in Naples and saw the reality of driving in the city. But now we were in Capri, this was my chance to tick something else off of my bucket list and my boyfriend’s only chance to drive a moped with my full support.

I admit I was a little apprehensive when we went into the shop and the woman continuously asked “You have driven a scooter before? You do drive one everyday? Everyday day yes?” but it was fine and very enjoyable. The views were amazing and we practically saw the whole Island, something which wouldn’t  have been possible without the thing. There was one awkward moment when my boyfriend drove on the left hand side of the road, luckily the on coming traffic was quite a distance away when we noticed. The scooter itself wasn’t the coolest moped on the block, it was some tacky yellow thing, but we weren’t the only ones riding one. In fact renting a scooter seems to be the thing to do in Capri, and why not, it is the easiest and most liberating way to see the Island. It’s also the coolest way. I mean cool as in temperature wise. It was such a hot day but on the scooter you barely noticed. I wouldn’t have enjoyed myself nearly as much if I’d been walking up and down the cliffs in the sweltering heat.

^How can such a beautiful place exist?

We had the scooter for 3 hours and we ended up with a spare 30 minutes before needing to catch the boat home. We stripped off into our swimwear and spent the half an hour on the free beach next to the harbour. It has literally been about 10 years since I’ve been in the sea and I stupidly forgot that it was salty. One mouthful and I was gagging. The waves were also quite big which meant that I looked very ungraceful, especially when I tripped over a huge rock on the seabed when I tried to make my way to the staircase out of the sea.

All in all an amazingly fun filled day, and one that I will never forget all thanks to the scooter. Literally it is something I will tell my grandparents about. When we went back to Naples we ate at Rossopomodoro, a Neapolitan food chain which supposedly has restaurants in Chelsea and Covent Garden. It was probably the worst food we have both eaten here in Italy, I’d like to say that’s quite an achievement since I’ve eaten over 200 Italian meals since being here.  I would not recommend the place to anyone. Please don’t waste your money on the place.

^ Appetizing?? I think not. Is it possible that is tastes worse than it looks?

 

Phew I’m glad that all of these long posts about my week as a tourist are over, now I can resume blogging about important things like Cumana strikes and buying toiletries ;)