Pompei and Praiano

 This day started out a bit stressful despite the gorgeous sunrise we partook of.  We had plans to meet Caleb and Marci at the Venice airport for an early flight to Naples.  It seemed we just couldn't catch a break with anything to do with our transport, but thankfully made our flight in the nick of time.

 Goodbye Venice. You were beautiful.

 We hired a driver to take us from the Naples airport with a two-hour-stop at Pompeii.  We really could have used a half-day here, but I'm still so happy we got to experience the little bit we did.

 Next the driver took us to our AirBNB in Praiano.  The drive was quite a thrill with motorcycles zooming around anyone and everything, a very narrow road with and incredibly steep drop off, and a plethora of tour buses driving around like smart cars.

 Lunch!

 A very stairy walk to the "beach".

 We had a great time sitting on the side of the road to watch "bus wars".  Such a tight squeeze!   Most cars sport quite a few scratches and dents on their sides.

 The stairs to our rental were quite a challenge (around 220 of them).

 The house we rented had a fun patio that overlooked the ocean.  Ahhh! Paradise.

 Our driver told us about a dessert that's native to Amalfi - a lemon cake with lemon filling, and covered in cream.  The boys took it upon themselves to track said dessert down.  Late that night, we discovered the dessert on a menu displayed outside a fancy restaurant.  Caleb was nominated to go into the establishment and ask them if we could have two of the cakes "to go".  After a little persuasion, the manager agreed to let us purchase the cakes even though it was quite unorthodox for them :).  And what a good sport Caleb was to do it.  Dedication to a cause.  The cake was quite delicious.

 The quirky bathroom at the house.

 The next morning we decided to start out with a hike...Path of the Gods.  There were these interesting little carvings all along the way. And we also happened upon this convent built in the 1400s.

We never actually made it to the actual "Path of the Gods" before we turned back, but the view was still pretty spectacular and the company was great for many laughs.

 The washer at the house was broken so Nathan had the task of washing our sweaty undies and socks in the kitchen sink.  My hero.  The following morning, the socks were still quite wet so he sat blowing them with a blow dryer.  Quite a sight.

 After our hike, we took a bus to Positano where we did some window shopping, ate lunch and gelato, and admired the ocean up-close. Then we took a ferry ride to Amalfi Town.

 Look! More Amalfi cake.

 Chocolate and lemon gelato - another recommendation from the driver.

We had a nice dinner on the ocean front.  This is Nathan giving his best smile with his worst dish of the trip...some kind of shellfish soup that he said tasted like dirt.  There was this cat that sat at his feet most of the dinner so he gladly shared his soup with the little guy.