Far niente.
Far niente.
0 2023/12/21 17:07:35
The southerly view from inside the small hexagonal Tempio St. Peter Pantaniello ('Pete from the small marsh'). The floors are Campanian terracotta.
The southerly view from inside the small hexagonal Tempio St. Peter Pantaniello ('Pete from the small marsh'). The floors are Campanian terracotta.
0 2023/12/21 16:49:13
Time for a castle tour. Bus #7 will take you from Porto down to the terminus in Ponte i.e. at the foot of the bridge. The Aragonese Castello will appear right before you, perched 113 meters atop its own trachytic rock islet. An isle within an isle. Note the bass-playing llama on the bus promo.
Time for a castle tour. Bus #7 will take you from Porto down to the terminus in Ponte i.e. at the foot of the bridge. The Aragonese Castello will appear right before you, perched 113 meters atop its own trachytic rock islet. An isle within an isle. Note the bass-playing llama on the bus promo.
0 2023/12/21 16:27:24
Those ladies almost seem to be represented by this boutique's stone signage mere minutes away back in Ponte's main drag, via Luigi Mazzella. *be careful, there seems to be additional 'via Mazellas' throughout.
Those ladies almost seem to be represented by this boutique's stone signage mere minutes away back in Ponte's main drag, via Luigi Mazzella. *be careful, there seems to be additional 'via Mazellas' throughout.
0 2023/12/21 16:26:48
A pair of stylish local ladies.
A pair of stylish local ladies.
0 2023/12/21 16:26:32
Returning back down and then across the bridge during the golden hour will guarantee visitors the chance to see local Ischiatani taking it easy. Just behind this crowd is the very modest local Museum del mare (of the sea).
Returning back down and then across the bridge during the golden hour will guarantee visitors the chance to see local Ischiatani taking it easy. Just behind this crowd is the very modest local Museum del mare (of the sea).
0 2023/12/21 16:26:11
Btw, there is a nice combo restaurant-bar called Coco right at the foot of the bridge. It is run by a brother-sister team. One walks across the bridge, then takes an elevator to get up to the castle, be it for a stay at their seasonal hotel OR instead for a meal at either of the cafes up there. Ignore misinformed locals who might try to tell you that covid cancelled that lift or otherwise restricted its use for workers--simply untrue, at least in our experience.
Btw, there is a nice combo restaurant-bar called Coco right at the foot of the bridge. It is run by a brother-sister team. One walks across the bridge, then takes an elevator to get up to the castle, be it for a stay at their seasonal hotel OR instead for a meal at either of the cafes up there. Ignore misinformed locals who might try to tell you that covid cancelled that lift or otherwise restricted its use for workers--simply untrue, at least in our experience.
0 2023/12/21 16:23:29
Without doubt, the most macabre aspect about the site is its infamous Nun's Cemetery. Centuries ago, some sadistic religious leader got the idea to allow the bodies of deceased Clarisses Clare nun up there to simply decompose in their individual, walled draining seat. The remaining nuns were thereafter forced to attend group prayer hours scheduled throughout each day, by the row of those decaying corpses. The stench, the sight, the risk of serious disease, the shock to newcomers....no words.
Without doubt, the most macabre aspect about the site is its infamous Nun's Cemetery. Centuries ago, some sadistic religious leader got the idea to allow the bodies of deceased Clarisses Clare nun up there to simply decompose in their individual, walled draining seat. The remaining nuns were thereafter forced to attend group prayer hours scheduled throughout each day, by the row of those decaying corpses. The stench, the sight, the risk of serious disease, the shock to newcomers....no words.
0 2023/12/21 16:22:53
We saw a number of cats up there, but none quite topped this one for having a mysterious aura. It relaxed as though it owned that green space.
We saw a number of cats up there, but none quite topped this one for having a mysterious aura. It relaxed as though it owned that green space.
0 2023/12/21 16:22:40
In 1809, cannons from the English navy destroyed some of the castle. The full history of the Castle site goes back almost 3,000 years.
In 1809, cannons from the English navy destroyed some of the castle. The full history of the Castle site goes back almost 3,000 years.
0 2023/12/21 16:22:24
The paths take tourists all over. There are churches, chapels, towers, crypts, antiques and an old prison. The gardens include olives, grapes and citrus.
The paths take tourists all over. There are churches, chapels, towers, crypts, antiques and an old prison. The gardens include olives, grapes and citrus.
0 2023/12/21 16:21:44
After taking that elevator-lift, one arrives at some very compelling terrace viewpoints. Those panoramas allow for 360 views across the castle site, be they hilly landscape or eastward back to the mainland. So much of an experience on ischia could fairly be described as 'picturesque'.
After taking that elevator-lift, one arrives at some very compelling terrace viewpoints. Those panoramas allow for 360 views across the castle site, be they hilly landscape or eastward back to the mainland. So much of an experience on ischia could fairly be described as 'picturesque'.
0 2023/12/21 16:21:31
Ischia got style. *Next: apologies for the out-of-order confusion; we'll get around to that castle tour plus the rest of the Ponte area, as well as the rest of the island.
Ischia got style. *Next: apologies for the out-of-order confusion; we'll get around to that castle tour plus the rest of the Ponte area, as well as the rest of the island.
0 2023/12/20 17:33:25
Mr. Conte should be proud of his son Pierre-Mario (literally a 'fixer') plus lovely Gabriella ('Gaby') seen below with her beautiful mother.
Mr. Conte should be proud of his son Pierre-Mario (literally a 'fixer') plus lovely Gabriella ('Gaby') seen below with her beautiful mother.
0 2023/12/20 17:33:02
Average temperature was 17-19 degrees. Ottimo.
Average temperature was 17-19 degrees. Ottimo.
0 2023/12/20 17:32:18
0 2023/12/20 17:32:07
We self-caterers shopped at local Ischitani stores such as large and friendly Francesco supermarket, the deli-bakery Boccia (try their toasted mortadella sandwiches) and (unshown) Luciano Gelato. Staff at all three were very friendly. The latter sold to us even after we'd missed their closing by 10 minutes---try that in North America! Boccia's owner was a sports fan who warned me about the local Napoli soccer star which our own Toronto FC team had just signed for a fortune: "Poor character."
We self-caterers shopped at local Ischitani stores such as large and friendly Francesco supermarket, the deli-bakery Boccia (try their toasted mortadella sandwiches) and (unshown) Luciano Gelato. Staff at all three were very friendly. The latter sold to us even after we'd missed their closing by 10 minutes---try that in North America! Boccia's owner was a sports fan who warned me about the local Napoli soccer star which our own Toronto FC team had just signed for a fortune: "Poor character."
0 2023/12/20 17:10:27
This sleepy gato lies atop a car parked in the courtyard. That was where scenes from the Italian TV drama 'My Brilliant Friend' were recently shot.
This sleepy gato lies atop a car parked in the courtyard. That was where scenes from the Italian TV drama 'My Brilliant Friend' were recently shot.
0 2023/12/20 17:05:55
More visuals.
More visuals.
0 2023/12/20 16:08:53
Same pink building with the abovementioned INPS in the foreground.
Same pink building with the abovementioned INPS in the foreground.
0 2023/12/20 16:08:34
So close that we could almost reach out and touch it.
So close that we could almost reach out and touch it.
0 2023/12/20 16:08:21
Behind us was also interesting scenery.
Behind us was also interesting scenery.
0 2023/12/20 16:08:12
Our patio had true 360 views. Right below, this workman takes his lunch break.
Our patio had true 360 views. Right below, this workman takes his lunch break.
0 2023/12/20 16:07:53
Capri can be seen here in the distance, sandwiched visually between Ponte and the Castle. It is much more expensive than Ischia. *Incidentally, a WWII tragedy occurred in this vicinity during 1943. RAF bombers needlessly sank the postal ship St. Lucia just off the local islet of Ventotene. The death toll was 120 innocent civilians killed.
Capri can be seen here in the distance, sandwiched visually between Ponte and the Castle. It is much more expensive than Ischia. *Incidentally, a WWII tragedy occurred in this vicinity during 1943. RAF bombers needlessly sank the postal ship St. Lucia just off the local islet of Ventotene. The death toll was 120 innocent civilians killed.
0 2023/12/20 16:07:43
I rest my case. As well, there was another wonderful surprise. Mrs Z and I once discovered an amazing Swiss brand of shampoo-gel soap called 'Prija'. We'd first encountered it in our rental house in Meursault (Burgundy) and loved its herbal 'eruca sativa' smell and texture. We thereafter tried for years to buy some of that, all to no avail. Lo and behold, when we arrived at our Aquamarina apartment, the featured soap was Prija. What a coincidence.
I rest my case. As well, there was another wonderful surprise. Mrs Z and I once discovered an amazing Swiss brand of shampoo-gel soap called 'Prija'. We'd first encountered it in our rental house in Meursault (Burgundy) and loved its herbal 'eruca sativa' smell and texture. We thereafter tried for years to buy some of that, all to no avail. Lo and behold, when we arrived at our Aquamarina apartment, the featured soap was Prija. What a coincidence.
0 2023/12/20 16:07:23
The Contes will spoil you, oft by surprise. We found this packet from Vittoria Cafe/pastry shop in our entry lobby one morning. So thoughtful. Millie Grazie!
The Contes will spoil you, oft by surprise. We found this packet from Vittoria Cafe/pastry shop in our entry lobby one morning. So thoughtful. Millie Grazie!
0 2023/12/20 16:07:13
The Greeks settled here in 775 BC and as part of Magna Graecia called Ischia 'Pithecusa'. Red grapes here are ruby red. They have colorful names such as Per e' Palumm (Pigeon's claws) and Piedirosso (red foot). Ischia sees 3-and-a-half million tourists per year (many middle-aged Germans) and it'd be interesting to learn whether most prefer the local white or the local red?
The Greeks settled here in 775 BC and as part of Magna Graecia called Ischia 'Pithecusa'. Red grapes here are ruby red. They have colorful names such as Per e' Palumm (Pigeon's claws) and Piedirosso (red foot). Ischia sees 3-and-a-half million tourists per year (many middle-aged Germans) and it'd be interesting to learn whether most prefer the local white or the local red?
0 2023/12/20 16:07:03
Their advice about local wine was bang-on. The Romans called Ischia 'Aenaria'---the land of wine. Hence the oh-so clever name of the local bookstore 'Imagaenaria'. Readers will love that shop for its mom-and-pop feel. Above was the straw-colored award-winning white wine that the Contes highly recommended. They were right!! The white wine grapes grown on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Epomeo are the 'Biancolella' variety.
Their advice about local wine was bang-on. The Romans called Ischia 'Aenaria'---the land of wine. Hence the oh-so clever name of the local bookstore 'Imagaenaria'. Readers will love that shop for its mom-and-pop feel. Above was the straw-colored award-winning white wine that the Contes highly recommended. They were right!! The white wine grapes grown on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Epomeo are the 'Biancolella' variety.
0 2023/12/20 16:06:53
The wonderful Conte family own and operate Exclusive Home Ischia. Daughter Gabriella (above) is the main contact, but her friendly brother Pierre-Mario also plays an important role in the day-to-day process. Our unit was spotless, could've eaten off the floor.
The wonderful Conte family own and operate Exclusive Home Ischia. Daughter Gabriella (above) is the main contact, but her friendly brother Pierre-Mario also plays an important role in the day-to-day process. Our unit was spotless, could've eaten off the floor.
0 2023/12/20 16:06:37
Our splurge apartment overlooking the sea was 'Aquamarina', one of an adjoined pair known together as 'Exclusive Home Ischia'. I'd read about it years ago in a Moon Handbook guide. We paid $690 Canadian per night. That rate included a fully-equipped modern kitchen, plus a hot tub. If the latter is important to you, clarify which unit has the hot tub---there is currently but one.
Our splurge apartment overlooking the sea was 'Aquamarina', one of an adjoined pair known together as 'Exclusive Home Ischia'. I'd read about it years ago in a Moon Handbook guide. We paid $690 Canadian per night. That rate included a fully-equipped modern kitchen, plus a hot tub. If the latter is important to you, clarify which unit has the hot tub---there is currently but one.
0 2023/12/20 16:06:12
Our creamy-colored rental building to the right. We were on the top floor, near corner. The lower building directly below our patio was the INPS. I gathered that was some sort of combo government-run-job-agency-cum unemployment office? The island population is 64,000 but I've no idea what jobless numbers are nowadays. That INPS also doubled as a handy bus stop. Bus 7 goes from Porto down to Ponte, a distance that otherwise can be walked in about 45 minutes.
Our creamy-colored rental building to the right. We were on the top floor, near corner. The lower building directly below our patio was the INPS. I gathered that was some sort of combo government-run-job-agency-cum unemployment office? The island population is 64,000 but I've no idea what jobless numbers are nowadays. That INPS also doubled as a handy bus stop. Bus 7 goes from Porto down to Ponte, a distance that otherwise can be walked in about 45 minutes.
0 2023/12/20 16:06:04
Next: *a visit up to the actual castle.
Next: *a visit up to the actual castle.
0 2023/12/20 14:23:14
This view from our patio never got old.
This view from our patio never got old.
0 2023/12/20 14:23:00
The three of us continued our hike into Ischia's hinterland. Here, the view near Scola di S. Anna. We got lost soon after, a lucky stroke that resulted in seeing additional areas.
The three of us continued our hike into Ischia's hinterland. Here, the view near Scola di S. Anna. We got lost soon after, a lucky stroke that resulted in seeing additional areas.
0 2023/12/20 14:22:25
The very nearby view from the so-called Torre di Michaelangelo. He almost certainly never actually lived there, despite the tourist hype myth.
The very nearby view from the so-called Torre di Michaelangelo. He almost certainly never actually lived there, despite the tourist hype myth.
0 2023/12/20 14:18:49
Pescatori beach would've been packed had this been high season.
Pescatori beach would've been packed had this been high season.
0 2023/12/20 13:58:21
Local fishermen collected on that pier early each morn, to be transported to jobs elsewhere.
Local fishermen collected on that pier early each morn, to be transported to jobs elsewhere.
0 2023/12/20 13:57:11
Mom and adult daughters. Like Veronique, they were daytrippers from Naples.
Mom and adult daughters. Like Veronique, they were daytrippers from Naples.
0 2023/12/20 13:57:00
The Cartoromana belvedere overlooks the sprawling 'Termale Eden' spa. That popular thermal spa was in the process of preparing for opening in the next few weeks. Those islets trace the edges of Ischia's own submerged ruin, the 'Villa Romana'. Snorkelers love to explore those ruins. As we traipsed across that SE corner of the isle, we joined another hiker. She was lovely young Veronique, a Belgian archaeologist who worked in Holland. She was also very knowledgeable about Euro-travel in general.
The Cartoromana belvedere overlooks the sprawling 'Termale Eden' spa. That popular thermal spa was in the process of preparing for opening in the next few weeks. Those islets trace the edges of Ischia's own submerged ruin, the 'Villa Romana'. Snorkelers love to explore those ruins. As we traipsed across that SE corner of the isle, we joined another hiker. She was lovely young Veronique, a Belgian archaeologist who worked in Holland. She was also very knowledgeable about Euro-travel in general.
0 2023/12/20 13:56:44
The castle motif outline is seen on some local promo for this and that.
The castle motif outline is seen on some local promo for this and that.
0 2023/12/20 13:55:52
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