Funny Faces & Other Funny Photos Part 1

Funny face of Amalfi

Traveling alone, I often take photos of complete strangers. It is that or take photos or nobody. After I tire of all the wonderful architectural elements, I am photographing, one of my favorite past times is to take photos of people making funny faces or doing funny things.

Here are a few of my favorites from a cruise I took in April/May of 2013. Enjoy!

Pissed-off face

Before I left for my cruise from Civitavecchia, I was in Barcelona. Above I took a photo of a guy who was none too pleased I was taking his picture, or so it seems. It was at the Book Fair by my hotel.

at Dubrovnik

At Dubrovnik, this photo is more of funny people than funny faces. The whole crowd just looks off kilter, don't they?

The Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast Panorama

As I mentioned in my last two posts, the Amalfi Coast and the town of Amalfi have the most beautiful views. I loved all the little towns along the way that we passed through.

Amalfi Coast view

More inforrmation on this beautiful part of the world can be found here. I did something different this time. The last two times I did the Amalfi Coast by road, so this time I did it by sea from Salerno to the town of Amalfi and back. More to come on what I saw!

Cruising Solo: Sorrento

Me at a lovely restaurant in Sorrento

Cruising solo is always interesting and fun, at least for me. I get to meet a whole lot of people I probably wouldn't otherwise. On my last solo cruise on the Norwegian Jade, I ate most of my meals alone. Sometimes I brought my Kindle, other times I chatted across tables with other cruisers. 

Fellow cruiser from Norwegian Jade

Another fellow cruiser from Norwegian Jade

I met a lovely couple at lunch on a tour of Sorrento and a boat tour from Salerno to Amalfi and back. I don't remember their names, but I do remember their kindness and their unique story. They live in northern California and buy condo buildings and refurbish them. We had more fun discussing the pros and cons of the different cruise lines. Like me, they are avid travelers and love to cruise as well. We just hit it off for that one fab lunch. I never saw them again after that.

I also took a lot of great photos at Sorrento. We did a walking tour and it is full of gorgeous architecture.

Architectural detail from a Church at Sorrento

One of my favorite photos

This photo is so amazing! I took it as a gentleman was running in to the Church, not to be late for Mass.

More architectural goodies from Sorrento to follow! 

Impressions of Amalfi Part II

Bell Tower of St. Andrew's Cathedral at Amalfi

St. Andrew's Cathedral at Amalfi

The Cathedral at Amalfi sure is one of the main draws. I have reported on earlier posts about this beautiful place. It is so unique as well as it is actually two Cathedrals and has so many additions that it is like going back in time in layers.

View from Amalfi Coast road

Half the fun of going to Amalfi though is getting there. The Amalfi Coast is something to remember. I have already done the coast tour three times, twice by road and this third time by road and boat, and I would go again in a heartbeat.

Lookout point on Amalfi Coast tour

Amalfi Coast

Bikini on the Amalfi Coast

We even passed a place called Bikini!

Impressions of Amalfi Part I

Map of Amalfi done in tiles as we entered the town

There are only a few places in the world that stand out to me as the best places I've visited. Santorini at Greece and Eze at France are two of those places. I have now found a third - Amalfi, Italy.

Town square of Amalfi

I love Italy. What's not to love, really? There are tons of small towns, beach views, mountains, friendly and fiery people, architecture, art and wonderful food. If I had to pick one country as my favorite, it would have to be Italy. So it was no surprise to me that I would find another favorite place while on my visit along the Amalfi Coast. This trip, I did a shore excursion that went to Sorrento, Salerno and then we picked up a boat to see the Amalfi Coast from the water to Amalfi and back. 

Amalfi Coast view

Moises and I had visited Sorrento and Salerno ten years ago and loved them both, but Amalfi stood out as a place I would love to return to. It is small and oozes charm. It was hot and crowded and had a to die for Cathedral. I took so many photos on the tour that day that both my camera and my phone ran out of battery. Pity too as I was just getting to the best parts of the old Cathedral underground, but then again, that only means I want to go back.

Great people watching in Amalfi

Statue at Amalfi by the Cathedral

Cathedral steps at Amalfi

Amalfi Cathedral Wall Paintings

St. Andrews Cathedral at Amalfi, Italy

One of my favorite spots on my recent cruise was the town of Amalfi, Italy. I did a ship tour that went to Sorrento, then Salerno where we boarded a boat to Amalfi and back. It was the first time I got to see the Amalfi Coast from the water. I do have to say that the view is more impressive from the road, but it was still amazingly beautiful. The sun warmed us as we made our way out of Salerno, passing Vietri sul Mare and the hotel Moises and I stayed at in 2003. Nice memories, but the most impressive memory from the tour was the town of Amalfi.

The Cathedral at Amalfi is a combination of the old Cathedral and the newer one shown here. 

Bell tower at St. Andrew's Cathedral 

I paid the extra fee, maybe 6 euros, to visit the ruins of the old Cathedral. The wall paintings are exquisite. 

Wall painting Amalfi Cathedral

The wall paintings are from the 9th or 12th century. I have not been able to confirm which they are. But I noticed something interesting. The one above has the face showing, but most of them had the faces cut out. I would love to know why. If any reader has any information on this, please let me know.

Typical wall painting with face cut out at Amalfi Cathedral

Two faces cut out and one showing

The day had gotten very hot and there were throngs of people milling around the small town, but the Old Cathedral was quiet with very few people and unbelievably cool. There was areas I would have loved to photograph, but by then I was out of battery on my camera and my phone. Boo hoo.

More information on this Cathedral can be found on Wikipedia here.