アマルフィ海岸と神々の道 The Amalfi coast and the path of the Gods

Maiori　マイオリ

「アマルフィ」という名前は日本で邦画『アマルフィ　女神の報酬』のＣＭと共に流れたサラ・ブライトマンの”Ｔｉｍｅ　ｔｏ　ｓａｙ　ｇｏｏｄｂｙｅ]”の美しいメロディーとともに頭の中にこびりついていました。いつかその美しい海岸に行ってみたい・・・その夢がついにかないました！

Since I saw a preview of a Japanese file,"Amalfi: Rewards of the Goddess"on TV, the name Amalfi and the film's theme song, 'Time to say goodbye' by Sarah Brightman, had stuck in my mind. It became one of my dreams to go to the celebrated picturesque coast one day. Now it has come true !! 

A cafe in Minori ミノリのカフェ

海岸にある町マイオリを宿にとり、念願の海岸沿いを歩きました。かつて船と徒歩でしか行き来できなかった隣町への移動ですが、今は道路が走っています。でもその道は・・・狭っ！車２台がようやくすれ違えるくらいなので、カーブでは対向車を待ってストップするかバックしなければならない状態。そんな歩道なんかもちろんない道路をアマルフィに向かって出発。ウォーキングコースは他にあって本当は歩くべきではないんでしょうが、その道路は海に面していて絶景が望ぞめるのです。隣町ミノリで絶品のケーキを楽しみ、アマルフィ海岸最大の町アマルフィにたどり着きました。

Amalfi　アマルフィ

Positano ポジターノ

We based ourselves in Maiori on the Amalfi coast and went out for my desired coastal walks. In the past, the only way to get to the next village was by ship, or on foot. Now there is a road along the coast. However, it is so incredibly narrow, two cars can just pass each other. Actually, at curves one has to stop or even back to let oncoming traffic pass through. As a matter of course, there is no pavement. I guess people should not walk on the road, but we couldn't resist doing it as it was just skirting the coast with fantastic views. We also enjoyed a masterpiece of cake at the next town, Minori and arrived in Amalfi, the biggest town on the coast.

翌日はアマルフィからポジターノまでフェリーで移動。海からみる景色はまた格別でした。目的は「神々の道」を歩くこと。有名なはずだから行けば分かるだろうと、下調べをせずにポジターノに到着。そこでもらった町の地図を見るとスタート地点までちょっと遠い。ま、いいか歩けるよね、と思ったところが甘かった。後で知ったのですが、普通スタート地点（ノチェッレ）までバスで行くらしい。階段上り約1700段＋登り坂。スタート地点につく前に昼食は食べ終え、水も飲みつくしました。夫曰く、「神々の道につく前に（息絶えて）神に会うかと思った。」

The following day, we took a ferry from Amalfi to Positano. The views from the sea were exceptional. Our aim was walking on 'Sentiero degli Dei,' the Path of the Gods.  We didn't check the details of the path in advance, thinking it would be easy to find out as it's famous. In Positano, we got a town map. The start point of the path seemed to be a bit far. Well, it would be all right...That was a big mistake. Later we learned that people normally get to the start, Nocelle by bus. We climbed up around 1700 steps, plus slopes. All of our lunch and water had vanished before we even got to the start. My husband thought he would expire and meet God before he reached the Path of the Gods.

天気にも恵まれ、努力の甲斐がありました。 はるか上から見下ろす町や海岸線は絶景でした。まさに神々の道。ぶどうやレモンを育てる急斜面の段々畑もすごい。世界有数の観光地ですが、昔ながらの生活も続けられているようです。

Anyway, it was worthwhile. Thanks to our effort and the sunny weather, it was heaven looking down at the coastline and towns nearby, as if we were in the sky. I was also amazed by the terraced fields on steep slopes, on which grew vines or lemons. Although the stunning coast became one of the top tourist destinations, some traditional livelihoods still continue as in the past.