I definitely couldn’t afford to be late this morning. I was headed the Amalfi Coast. More specifically Positano. So I set 3 alarms just to be sure. I am again thinking how grateful I have no room mates as I think my inability to be quiet as a mouse is lacking.

I get all my stuff together and head off to the bus stop. It was saying it would take 20 mins to walk. So I leave very early and arrive at the bus stop. As I look over towards the direction of the sassi there is incredible collies in the sky as the sun is rising. I can see some of it through the breaks in the buildings. A sunrise over the sassi would have been amazing. But alas no!

I arrive with about 20 mins to spare, but getting there early was a good idea. Now, where to wait. I sat down at the spot I’d recognized from missing it a few days earlier. Another bus rolls in and I didn’t realize that it would block the view of the other side of the road, where my bus actually stops. Fortunately I look up at just the right time and see my bus come around the corner.

There was a changeover at the next stop which is, you guessed it, back to where I was as an accidental tourist, Taranto. I had a couple of hours to wait so I knew exactly where I was going and what I was doing.

Got myself a coffee and something to eat. Also did some booking and planning for the last part of my trip. It’s so very strange to see this shop. They are the epitome of a variety store. They are a bar, a tobacconist, bakery, supermarket, poker machines & bus tickets.

The time passes quickly so I head outside. I need to find shade through because it’s 29° and I have about 20 minutes to wait. I am feeling super relaxed this time around, cause I know exactly where I am and what I’m doing and can’t wait to hit the Amalfi Coast.
The bus trip was amazing. As we headed west right through the middle of Italy the scenery is incredible.

It’s about 3 hours on the bus to Salerno where I get off and head on the ferry. It’s the most scenic way to get to Amalfi. I got off the bus and felt a million dollars, relaxed and ready to hit Positano. If you’ve not heard or seen it, let Google be your friend. It’s definitely a good workout too. Being based literally on the cliff face I know my legs are going to get a work out. That’s for sure. There’s 760 steps to my hostel. But thank goodness there’s an awesome information pack on their website that helps guide you on how to get to the top with luggage. But first the ferry.

I got my ticket and was surprised to see that it was quite small. Smaller than the ferries we have in Sydney. While I’m waiting I chat with a few American backpackers and we exchange stories bout where we’ve been and see if we can share info or insider knowledge. They give me some tips about Rome which is where they’ve come from, and I can’t shut up about how amazing Matera was – yet another group of people that haven’t heard about it.
It’s time to board and the crew welcome me ‘ciao bella’, the men in Italy are truly as nice to look at as the view.

The boat ride is incredible, it going to take about an hour. I spot lots of backpackers and so many accents/ languages but lots of Americans.

I can truly not believe I’m here. It’s postcard material. As we get close I spot all kinds of things in the cliff face and along the ridge top. There’s gardens and houses, monuments and crosses, and goodness knows what else. And the water is so blue. It’s like a deep blue colour you know you can get lost in. I can’t wait to get in the ocean.

Ok so now I’ve arrived. Although I will not be carting my suitcase up all the way I do need to tackle some stairs to get to the bus stop. So the narrow windy roads down to the beach means that a regular bus wouldn’t fit the twists and turns so they have these bite sized busses. Luckily right across the road there’s a shop that’s sells food and drink. I’d not eaten for hours and there was a slice of pizza in there with my name on it. I grab and see the bus has pulled in, better head out.

I tell the bus driver the stop I need and he knows it immediately. I got to chatting with a guy who was here on holidays too and gave me a few tips about getting around.

Once again I’m thankful for the info pack that was provided by the hostel so I could find it immediately. As I’m about to walk up the stairs I spoke a couple of backpackers I’d seen on the ferry. They actually did the stairs with their backpacks on. They were covered in sweat. Poor buggers.
We head to check in and are greeted by the lovely Lydia. A gorgeous young British woman who is super friendly and has a great vibe. The view is incredible and I just soak up the sun on the balcony while I wait my turn to check in. Seems the 2 American backpackers are fresh out of medical school and about to start their residency. Alex and Tim are shown to their room and it turns out we’re neighbours.

I’m given the tour and key and sent on my way. Once again I walk into an empty room, no one else with me. I wonder whether anyone will come later?
I unpack, set up and decide to head back over to the bar in the hostel and that is where I realize I’ve walked into the best hostel in town. Turns out of the 4 staff who work in the front of house, 3 are Aussies. It’s not long before I meet them actually as they’ve been out on a day off and drink beers at the beach all day. They are a FUN bunch. Joe walks in, well stumbles in, and there’s a lot of awesome banter with everyone. He said oh hey I’m Joe, give me a kiss, and pointed to his cheek. I obliged and immediately hit it off with all the staff. They’re super warm and friendly. Well they’re Aussies of course.
I quickly made friends with a bunch of travelers there. I soak in the view while we do happy hour. I get to chatting with the doctors and we become fast friends. Alex, Tim and I decide to head to what we thought was a restaurant with a great view that Lydia had suggested so we all regroup, redress and head out.

The challenge is to actually to find which stairs to take but Tim seems to have it all in hand.
We arrive at the place and realize it’s kind of just a bar. We all feel underdressed And decide we definitely need to eat so we have a drink and head down further toward the beach in search of a restaurant. But nothing really took our fancy so we decided to hitch the bus back up and head to somewhere local.

We order some dinner, but not sure what’s coming out. Language barrier isn’t the worst I’ve experienced. But seems we have ordered well.
Ok NOW we are ready to have a couple of drinks at the hostel and head out. We each excuse ourselves to get changed and the boys come back looking very dapper. We also attempt to corral other people in the hostel, with some success.
I’ve told them I’d be their wing woman tonight and asked them what’s their type. Benefits of having a guy best mate is that I speak their language. I’d already proven my worth by pointing out the women walking into the hostel. They approve of my taste.
We all head out together and have been told about this club called Music on the Rocks which is pretty much the only club in Positano.
We are NOT disappointed. It’s basically a club that is built into the rocks of the cliff face. We’d been told that groups of guys sometimes get turned away and so me, being the token female was pushed to the front of the pack to put on my prize winning smile to get the guys into the club.
Success!!!
A big night was had by all. We danced, met some locals and other travelers. Such a fun night. The three of us decide to stop by the deck chairs before finding a cab home.
I love Positano!!!