After adding an extra half an hour to our journey by missing the proper autostrada entrance (there was a 1 in 3 chance) we made up the time on the A3 motorway to Paestum. There are max speed limits posted throughout, but these are typically exceeded by an extra 50% by Neapolitans.
Paestum is an ancient Greek colony, south of Salerno (itself an hour south of Naples), with the most complete surviving temples in the world. Although there was nothing essentially new for us to see, the site did add to our picture of the ancient world, and the site museum was excellent. It looked small from outside, but was rather like the Tardis inside. It had a collection of tomb frescoes (from the grave interiors!), something we hadn't really encountered anywhere before.
After Paestum we took a 'leisurely' drive around the Amalfi coast. I was glad that Anna was wearing her St Christopher, because the roads in this area are insane. It's like an extremely narrow and winding version of the worst parts of our coastal or gorge roads, coupled with excessively fast locals and tour buses that don't fit. Wow. We are still amazed that we got through the whole length of coast without scraping the car.
Words can't really describe how beautiful this area is. Suffice to say it's the most like New Zealand that we've yet seen - high praise that this is. Sheer cliffs covered in terraced lemon orchards and tiny villages, suspended above clear blue sea. Lovely - only don't try to stop for a coffee!Amalfi itinerary: Salerno - Vieti sul Mare - Cetara - Maiori - Atrani - Amalfi - Praiano - Positano - Sorrento
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