It’s been a rainy spring on the Amalfi Coast, but yesterday was the perfect day to take my scooter out for a ride. While I have been out for some short trips, this was the first time I enjoyed a ride with the spring scents in the air, the sun shining and the trees all leafed out. As soon as I rounded the first turn, it all came right back and I fell in love all over again with the feel of the curves in the road and the fresh air. I zigzagged my way down the road to Atrani and parked the motorino near the beach. As I was taking off my helmet I caught a pretty view reflected in my rear view mirror. What a gorgeous day!
The sun said summer but the cool breezes blowing in off the sea made it a bit chilly if you stepped out of the sun. The colors were stunning yesterday evening, the deep blue of the sea, the brightly colored boats on the beach and the green, white and red of the flag flipping in the wind.
Brilliant doesn’t even begin to describe the colors on the beach. I took off my sunglasses to soak in as much of it unfiltered as I could. I took two photos while I was standing there, which is a record minimum for me. (And my husband wasn’t even there to appreciate it!) That’s how stunning it was. I must go back on another sunny and clear evening, but with my wits about me to take more photos.
As I opened the storage container behind the scooter to pull out my helmet and ride over to Amalfi, I caught one last glimpse of Atrani. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. My first spring ride on the scooter was very well timed, as yesterday I received in the mail the June issue of Italia! Magazine with my latest article about my experiences learning to ride a scooter on the Amalfi Coast. Couldn’t think of a more appropriate way to celebrate! (And they even selected my photo of Atrani to use in the article – perfect!)
If you haven’t yet picked up a copy of Italia! Magazine, it’s a lovely publication filled with gorgeous photos, interesting articles and lots of great Italian recipes. For those of you who love the Amalfi Coast and Campania, don’t miss the June issue with articles about Naples, climbing Mt. Vesuvius and, of course, more about the twists and turns of riding a scooter on the Amalfi Coast!
you are very courageous to drive a scooter along those roads. complimenti…
It took a long time last year going very piano piano to feel comfortable, Mary Jane. Now I feel like I’m starting to get the hang of it pretty good, but I’m glad I took it slow!
Laura, your photos are creative and beautiful as always!
Oh, thanks, Denise! 🙂
I was proud of myself driving a car (with my visiting and rather nervous New Zealand tourists in it) around those roads this time last year, but I am envious of your scooter 🙂 such freedom!
Ciao Kay! The scooter really has offered me quite a bit of freedom, because I haven’t braved up to your experience of driving on the Amalfi Coast. While I love driving and have crisscrossed America by car (and moving truck), I’ve never enjoyed or gotten comfortable driving a manual transmission car. I just hate it! Our old Fiat Punto hasn’t been easy to learn on either. Later this year I’m probably just going to have to bite the bullet and take lessons from the local driving school so that I learn how to drive manual transmission cars here on the Amalfi Coast. I’d pay anyone who could make me love it though as I doubt that will ever be the case. We’ve also talked about just trying to track down an automatic car here in Italy! 🙂
Congrats on your article. Loved your post.
Thanks so much, Linda! 🙂
Outstanding photographs! I love the reflections you captured. A wonderful way to share your day.
Thanks, Amber! The day was just so brilliant it was shining everywhere I looked. LOVE those days!