The Swell in Sorrento

 

Sorrento was another tender port and as there were many excursions due to be tendered ashore before the independent passengers I expected at least a one hour wait after collecting my tender ticket.  As it happened the wait turned into three and a half hours - the reason was the height of the swell in Sorrento Bay.  Three tenders managed the trip from ship to shore but as the minutes ticked by it proved more and more dangerous for passengers to make that "leap of faith" from ships pontoon to bobbing tender.  The Captain announced that tender operations would cease until such time as conditions improved.  Every 20 minutes a tender manned by 3 crew would draw alongside down at Deck 3 to test conditions but after a few minutes it always retreated back to a safe distance in the bay. 

At noon, just as I had loaded my plate with noodles and Sea Bass it was announced that conditions had improved and tendering was about to begin.  Three mouthfulls of sea bass and I was off.  Of course, the majority of excursions had been cancelled and those passengers now all rushed to obtain independent tender tickets - it would be another 2 hours before they would be lucky enough to disembark.  Fortunately I was on the third tender out.  

Even though conditions had improved it still took 4 crew members to assist each passenger in the "leap of faith" and once aboard the little lifeboat we were like a cork in a huge ocean.  I thought to myself that if I could cope with these conditions without being seasick then I deserved a medal - but nothing ventured, nothing gained.   I tried to remember what I had read - focus on the horizon - easier said than done as the boat gallantly tried to cope with the swell.  First the horizon was way up high, then it was way down low - I hung on tight and prayed.  Needless to say the voyage was completed quite safely and I awarded myself a medal for not even feeling queezy (although I was quite scared!).

The city of Sorrento sits atop a high, high cliff overlooking the harbour.  P&O provided a shuttle bus for the climb up the hill (£4 single journey for Saver Fare customers) but if I ever go again I must use the lift/elevator which has been installed in the past few years (1 euro single fare).

Sorrento proved to be an interesting, bustling city with a main pedestrianised shopping area and many narrow side lanes leading off to the Old Quarter - full of delightful boutiques and souvenir shops.  

I only had time for a quick whiz around but it was enough to capture the colour and flavour:

I ended up in A. Gargiulo & Jannuzzi a large shop specialising in marquetry, linen, ceramics and Antica Murrina jewellery from Venice.  This just happens to be my favourite jewellery so I had a wonderful 30 mintues marvelling at the array available.  The young lady serving at this particular counter turned out to be a British expatriate and we had a long chat about her life in Italy with her Italian boyfriend and about my life as an expatriate in Hong Kong.  I purchased a delightful peach and light blue Murano glass bead necklace which I shall treasure just as much as the other pieces which I have acquired in the past. 

Not being prepared to shell out another £4 for the bus ride down the hill I walked.  A very easy descent - apart from the mad Italian drivers who career at speed along the narrow roads.

At the landing stage P&O had provided iced tea and cold water, and handed out cooling face cloths for those of us queing for the return tender.   How I would have loved to have had 2-3 days to explore this lovely city - never mind, at least I had managed 2-3 hours which was a lot better than nothing.