The Blue Grotto....Eh (shrug).

Let's talk about the Grotto Azzurra or better known as the Blue Grotto. I don't think I've ever experienced anything more anti-climatic. Everyone says "make sure you see the Blue Grotto". My advice? While it is interesting and perhaps mysterious if you put pretend it's 2000 years ago and you're an ancient Roman expecting to encounter water nymphs, you're better off saving the $30 (PLUS tip (!!!) for the row boat operator) and spending it on a couple of really good drinks. A postcard would definitely have sufficed. First of all, I've never seen more boats in one place....that right there knocks the whole experience down a notch. Then, it was a 30 minute wait to board the row boat. Finally, it was a two minute tour. Literally. Two minutes. And to be really honest (and Dad, this is for you) our pool emits the same kind of light at night. And at least I can swim in that and stay as long as I want to....and I don't have to pay or tip. Thanks Dad, for our own grotto that I must admit is almost better than the famous one.

So after the tourist trap we boarded the local bus to a place just as beautiful that didn't cost a penny -- Faro di Punta Carena. One of the island’s most famous bathing establishments and located on the Anacapri side of the island, Faro di Punta Carena lies at the foot of a lighthouse (the second most powerful in Italy) and here the sun is guaranteed from dawn until dusk. The "beach" of Faro is small and is formed by a series of concrete platforms created in the rocks, directly above the sea. There are lounge chairs for rent higher up on the cliffs or you can find a spot directly on the concrete, right next to the crashing water and rocks to put your towel down at no charge. We chose the concrete and what entertainment we had watching the young Italian's fresh out of school on summer vacation leaping off of the rocks into the crystal blue water below. It was quite the social scene as they all dared one another to jump in. The water was freezing but Rich took the plunge and even took a leap off the high boulders. We didn't make it to sunset at Faro, which is supposed to be spectacular, but we plan on returning in the next couple of days to witness it.

The single most exciting part of the day though, hands down, was our lovely encounter with a young Korean couple on the bus leaving the Blue Grotto. We heard them speaking Korean so Rich started talking to them in Korean and I think we might have made their day or maybe their whole European vacation. I have never ever seen anyone as excited or as shocked as they were to learn we knew so much about Seoul or knew so many words in Korean. One of their actual comments was, "We never thought we'd meet a foreigner who would be able to say 'hello' to us in Korean." It made them so happy which in turn totally made our day. They were  also shocked to find out that we kind of like kimchi and when we asked if they miss their Korean food while here in Europe they told told us that they are staying with different Korean families while travelling so they don't have to go without their beloved Korean staples.  Yes, they really must have their kimchi wherever they go. This now makes two Korean couples we've had interaction with on this trip and also proves our theory that wherever we go, the Koreans will be there...and this couple was so friendly that it made us miss it all, just a little.

This is what it looks like inside the Blue Grotto...on the two minute tour....and good thing the pictures came
out because I barely remember what it looked like after the two minutes were up.
During the Roman period, under the rule of Tiberius, the interior of the Blue Grotto was used as a
marine nymphaeum. For many centuries, the islanders believed that the cave was inhabited by sirens and devils
and were too scared to enter. It was not until 1826 that the local fisherman Angelo Ferraro accompanied
the German scholar, August Kopisch, and the painter Ernst Fries in to the cave.
Their tales of the magical blue sea cave led to the grotto becoming Capri's number one tourist site.

...and this is what it looks like on the outside...another tourist vortex.
The cavity is approximately 60 meters long and 25 meters wide. The roof of the entrance is situated
approximately 1 meter above the level of the sea and, for this reason, passengers must lie down
in the boat while passing into the cave. The boatman sets down his oars and maneuvers the boat inside
with the aid of a chain attached to the vault of the entrance.

The concrete-platform-beach of Faro di Punta Carena.
This is the width of the whole thing and there's not much concrete behind us so one of the
most popular sun bathing spots on the whole island isn't really that crowded at all. Just how I like it.

Rich took the plunge into the icy, crystal clear,  blue water.
It wasn't quite icy but it was way too cold to actually be enjoyed in my opinion. I only do 85 and above.

Only 10 more days to go of being with each other 24/7. Awww.