Back to Naples from Amalfi

Miss Wilt, Miss Peet got up before six, I a little later. Dressed and went out again on the top. Saw the big kitchen and watched them prepare vegetables, butter. Looked into the cloister. went out on another roof and looked at the terraces with oranges and lemons. Then went in the big grand colonnade, the long walk cut out of the rock and covered with grapes, roses, lemons and with quantities of beautiful flowers everywhere. You get a beautiful view of the sea. It was absolutely charming.



Had b’fast in the refectory at 7:15, bread toast and coffee brought in little pots with separate pitchers of hot milk and honey. I had a boiled egg. 5 cents. Then we went into the chapel and saw a crèche which was certainly peculiar and not wonderful with all its little figures all dressed in clothes. Went into the cloister, in fact, walked everywhere I could to see what the old monastery was like. Saw the little tiny rooms-was certainly enchanted with it. Saw Mrs. Sangster and Mrs.Coffin there, 2 of the Princess Irene passengers on the way to Istanbul.

Started at 9 for Sorrento, a hot and interesting drive, but not beautiful as the sea was grayish and there was no wonderful coloring. Got to Sorrento at one. Driver tried to make us pay 4 francs to see Miriam Crawford’s place* but we wouldn’t; reduced it to 2 francs but we wouldn’t.

Went to Hotel Tramontano** which is a beautiful place. We were all tired but a cup of tea and toast, some bouillon and stewed fruit made us all right. Had to pay 7 ½ francs for that but as Miss Wilt said it was worth it to see the hotel where sixteen Kings, Queens, Emperors and Empresses had stayed. The gardens were beautiful. Saw a bed of Baby Blue Eyes, Nemophila, California wildflowers.



Went up to the shops where I bought some inlaid boxes. Had a lot of fun over buying a box for Miss Peet who got her cheek cut looking for Miss Wilt’s handbag so Miss W. and I said we would get her a tip. She picked out a little box which I wanted to give Miss W. a little stamp box-then they gave me one, a franc a piece. I shall always keep mine. Then I bought a blue silk sweater, cheap one. 3.60 but it will do.

Went down the lift and found the sea rough. Got into a small boat and the boatman rowed us out to meet the boat from Capri. The sea was so rough that Miss W. was dreadfully frightened. Finally got in boat and had a beautiful sail into Naples. Got into another small boat and had another row with the boatman over what I don’t know. Two other men passengers, Germans got mad and there were great curses...

We [arrived?] on land and went off as fast as we could. Got in car and had to stand up all the way and had a good time getting the conductor to know just where we wanted to go. Had a very nice dinner. The English people gone. Ten new ones here. Went into the drawing room and showed Miss Ferris and the English mother and daughter my purchases in Sorrento. Miss Wilt, Miss Peet came in and I showed them my things also little John’s pictures.***

*Francis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) Italian-born American prolific author and historian wrote the Saracinesca Trilogy: Saracinesca, (1887) Sant' Ilario, (1889) and Don Orsino. (1892)
**Imperial Hotel Tramontano in Sorrento
***John Hincks, her first grandchild, son of Percy and Hazel.