I woke up pretty early on September 15th and as I didn't hear any rain I decided to get up really early and take some morning photos before breakfast.   It turned out to be quite a nice morning and I pretty much had the beach to myself- all of my group were still sleeping along with all of the other tourists.     We were scheduled to spend the day in Sorrento but the bus made a stop in Positano first since we hadn't had a chance to see it yet.   The drive along the coast was gorgeous-it was hard to believe that this was the same road we had driven on the day before but of course there is only one costal road.  The bus driver left us off at the top of the city as no buses can actually get into the town given the narrow, windy roads.  I was happy to have  an excellent view from the top.    Positano is known for its tourists and we weren't disappointed.  The town was a relatively poor fishing village during the first half of the 20th century.  It began to attract  large numbers of tourists after John Steinbeck published his essay about Positano in Harper's Bazaar in 1953.   "Positano bites deep"  Steinbeck wrote.  "It is a dream place that isn't quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone".    I first heard about the town when I saw the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" and like everyone else wanted to go and see the area for myself.  

Positano is also well known for its  dome  made of majolica tiles as well as a 13th century Byzantine icon of a black Madonna.  According to local legend, the icon had been stolen from Byzantium and was being transported by pirates across the Mediterranean.  A terrible storm had blown up in the waters opposite Posatano ( why do I find this part so easy to believe) and the frightened sailors heard a voice on board saying "Posa, posa" ("Put down! Put down!").  The precious icon was unloaded and carried to the fishing village and the storm abated.  After leaving Positano, we headed to Sorrento making a few stops on the way.  

First shot of the morning in Maiori when it was barely light.    

I liked the shot in black and white as well so I included both shots.   I can easily image a pirate ship in the seas as opposed to the fishing boat you see.  The arsenal/ tower like structure is now a restaurant.

Just the rocks and water with a longer exposure.  

Just me and the empty boats.

Early morning photograph of Maiori.

When the bus let us off in Positano I walked down to the beach area.    You can see how hilly the town  is.

This shot was taken from road overlooking Positano.  There were beautiful gardens everywhere.  

Another view from the road.

Here is the view with the famous ceramic  tiled  dome which speaks  "Positano".  The picture was taken as we walked along the high road leading to the town.  

I took this shot from a little further away so I could get the dome and more of the city.

The boats in the harbour.

Looking down on the beach.   You get a better view of the beach in this shot.  It wasn't as crowed on the beach  as it would get later on in the day.  From my experience walking in town I think most people were in the streets and stores. 

The beautiful blue Mediterranean Sea which looked so calm today.  It was really hard to believe these were the same waters that we saw the day before.  When I took this photo we were heading back to the bus around noontime .  It is a difficult time to get good pictures  at this time of day  because of the bright sky and the direct overhead sun which creates harsh lighting conditions.     However, it is a great  time for getting the beautiful blue colours of the ocean. 

Coffee with a view.  

On the way to Sorrento the bus driver stopped so we could capture this view.  

Rudolf Nureyev once lived on the Island that the boat is racing towards.    This Island was purchased, restored and developed over the last fifteen years by its current owner and for the first time is being offered to the world for exclusive vacation rentals.  Maybe next visit!  

We stopped on the road to take pictures of this fruit stand.  

A close up view.  Fruit stands were everywhere in the towns with lemons being prevalent.