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Sorrento

Today was another gorgeous day of sunshine in Sorrento and felt like a day for relaxation and eating. Highlights included a leisurely meal at Ristorante Delfino on the water by Marina Grande, strolling through the Lemon Grove Garden, and meeting various people - tourists as well as locals.

First - the eating. The meal at Delfino was amazing - enjoyed on the patio in the middle of the marina. I started off with a glass of house white wine and fresh bread with a touch of local olive oil. Then, the appetizer came - Frittura di alici (fried fresh anchovies) and the portion looked huge! Miraculously, every bit of fish disappeared quickly after a couple of squirts of lemon juice... a combination of hunger and perfectly cooked anchovies. More fish followed (Sorrento is famous for their seafood) for the main course - the recommended Orata alla griglia (grilled sea bream). When I saw other tables getting their main courses, waiters brought out plates with no fanfare; but for my order, they wheeled out a full service cart! The grilled sea bream was presented on a platter, then they filleted the fish in front of me, and arranged it on the final serving plate. It was every bit as tasty as it looked, slathered in butter and lemon juice. You would think my stomach would have exploded after eating so much, but there was room for dessert! With a complimentary glass of Limoncello (candy-like lemon liquer), I had a slice of Lemon Caprese cake served with vanilla gelato. The cake was surprisingly moist, yet spongy. I will have to learn how it's made...

OK - after relaxing in the sun and all that eating, I went for a stroll in the Lemon Grove Garden which is in the town of Sorrento. I hiked up to the town from Marina Grande and enjoyed the shade of not only lemon trees, but orange trees as well. The owner of the garden was nearby and offered me another taste of limoncello - just what I needed to power me home!

Throughout the day, I met a few tourists from England and a couple of local Italians living in Sorrento. The tourists were found at the local laundromat - it makes sense in hindsight, but where else would you find a lot of tourists? For locals, you can find lots at the post office, of course - just make sure you take note of the business hours! I've found that all businesses do take the typical afternoon siesta, and it lasts anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hours.

By the way, a few lessons learned - booking accommodations closer to town is definitely the way to go, the Travelon laundry sheets are good but I wouldn't bother with the shampoo/body wash sheets, booking train tickets in advance has saved a ton of money, and the best exchange rates can be found at banks in major cities.

Comments

Anonymous said…
"More fish followed (Sorrento is famous for their seafood)"

Correction: The Sorento is known for its excellent 5-star crash safety rating: http://www.kia.ca/pages/showroom/awardsaccolades.aspx?model=sorento

Oops, that was the wrong link ;)

So let me get this straight: you accepted an alcoholic drink from a stranger in a foreign country? Do your parents read this blog? :O (if they do, please delete this comment, lol)

"For locals, you can find lots at the post office, of course"

Wait, I don't get it. Is a "post office" where people go to print out their e-mails?
April 09, 2013 12:24 am
Anonymous said…
Oops, I guess I needed HTML tags for that link
April 09, 2013 12:25 am
lifeasj said…
Yes, my parents do check this blog, but no worries. :)

Accepting alcoholic drinks from strangers in foreign countries is okay only in special circumstances! This was one of those situations. ;) Generally, you are correct, of course.

And the post office is where people go to send things like postcards... crazy, I know. You use stamps and manpower and the result is tangible instead of digital!
April 09, 2013 2:27 am
Anonymous said…
Good to hear that you're continuing to enjoy your trip :)

Also, how come you always respond to me with a serious answer even when you know I'm joking? :P
April 09, 2013 10:54 pm
lifeasj said…
Because that's the best counter-response! ;)
April 09, 2013 11:38 pm
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