Rainy Day in Salerno

For our final port in Salerno, we planned a Viator 5-Star boat ride along the Amalfi Coast to Positano and other idyllic Italian villages.

Days earlier, weather forecasts did not look promising, and we finally surrendered to the inevitable, cancelling that much-anticipated boat trip on what indeed turned out to be the rainiest morning of our trip.

I was determined to get out to see Salerno, hoping to make the most of our final port, so while we were set to meet Mike and Linda around 10 AM at the International Cafe, Julie and I headed out with coffee for a first sweep through Salerno, hoping to beat the rain.

Following a map, we walked past a curved, modern building and through narrow streets of the old town.

We visited assorted highlights, like Giardino della Minerva and the Temple of Pomona, which dates back to Roman times.

Temple of Pomona

Most renowned in Salerno is its Duomo, which houses the relics of St. Matthew in its crypt.

The Duomo (Cathedral) is appropriately dedicated to that Apostle of Jesus Christ.

Founded in 1076, it was consecrated by Pope Gregory VII in 1084.

Regardless of its history, we doubted any church interior would likely top St. John's Co-Cathedral in Malta, so we did not buy tickets.

Without a guide to share interesting background stories about the region and somewhat rushed by the weather, we really did not give Salerno a fair shake.

Nonetheless, I don't think I'm being too harsh in saying Salerno simply did not seem as pretty and well-maintained as any of the Spanish ports we visited earlier on our trip, much less Malta.  I think that would have been true even on a sunny day.

That is not to say there weren't hints of splendor from a bygone era to be found sprinkle among the rainy streets.

We sloshed back to our floating resort, meeting up with Mike and Linda at our appointed place and time.

They said it was too stormy outside for them.

Julie and I couldn't justify heading back out on our own, now that rain was falling harder.

Mike recommended "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," which would be showing in the Princess Theater, so I decided to attend that.  I rarely go to movie theaters these days, so that itself was a treat of sorts.

Julie went up to Skywalkers to read her book and occasionally look up at the panoramic city views.

When the rain finally subsided in the afternoon, Linda messaged Julie about going to town, but Julie was content where she was.  I was still in the Princess Theater watching the movie.

Had someone come to retrieve me, I would have gone back to town, but by the time I got out of the movie and found Julie, the time to go had passed.

Mike and Linda went on their own, finding a nearby restaurant with a cool vibe and decor, including a vintage Chevy booth to have drinks and a meal.

Mike said the Trawlermen, who had been a standout among the guest acts on board, were also there.

I regret missing that last foray into Salerno, but I think bottom line is that had we been able to take that boat trip on a more typical sunny day on the Amalfi Coast, we would have all come away with a better taste in our mouth.

In retrospect, we should have switched to a driving tour of the same destinations, but concern about the discomfort of such a long ride and the rain blocking enjoyment of the various stops dissuaded us.

We enjoyed our final evening aboard Caribbean Princess.

Just in case the rain made my reflections less than inviting, I wanted to include a video taken in the better light of a sunny day by a different observer.