Italian Hibiscus

I'm always fascinated when I find plants native to one part of the world growing profusely in another part.  Like this hibiscus.  It was growing in a small hilltop park above the harbor in Sorrento, Italy. Noted for growing in the tropics, hibiscus can be found in native habitats ranging from Africa, to Argentina, to Jamaica.  Some are even hot-climate varieties. 

"Italian Hibiscus"      © Kathy Dunham 2010

Early Morning in Sorrento

The umbrellas are all lined up, ready for the tourists and sunbathers.  They're not free either.  If you want a lounge and umbrella there is a cost.

"Early Morning in Sorrento"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Welcome - Italian Style

Beautiful ceramics and colorful flowers create a warm welcome to the local Trattoria in Sorrento, Italy. 

"Welcome - Italian Style"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Old Olive Press

When we were in Sorrento we visited a small family farm.  They had the usual animals, horses, goats, pigs and ducks (or were they geese?)  But their main crop was olives.  And they produced their own olive oil.  This was an old press from years gone by.  They are now modern with huge electric crushers and presses.  And to help pay for the expensive machinery, they also press oil for their neighbors.


"Old Olive Press"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Sorrento Sunset

The hillside farms in Sorrento are small and terraced.  Many are no more than four acres with some as large as 10 acres.  I know that doesn't sound like a lot of property for a farm but this works quite nicely in this hilly landscape.  They grow lemons, olives, tomatoes and other row crops in addition to having farm animals like pigs, chickens and goats.  Being a farm girl myself, I appreciated the opportunity to visit one of these farms where I was able to capture this colorful sunset.


"Sorrento Sunset"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

64 Via Fuorimura, Sorrento, Italy

We were on a mission.  Locate the shop that sells Italian basil seeds.  We finally found the store but it hadn't opened yet after the usual mid-day closure.  So we waited.  And waited. And while we waited I spotted this mailbox next door.  Then we were joined by several locals.  Finally, the owner showed up and we rushed in an grabbed the last of the seeds.  Score!!!!

"64 Via Fuorimura, Sorrento, Italy"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Street Artist - Sorrento

He sat on the same corner, ready to do a portrait of a passing tourist or local for that matter.  I never saw any takers but he made a nice subject for my photo.

"Street Artist - Sorrento"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Sorrento Afternoon

There weren't many flowers to be found in Italy this time of year. There were plenty of the proverbial geraniums but the sunflowers were gone and so was everything else. We were headed out of our hotel when I spotted this one. And the light coming from behind added to the enjoyment of finding a blossom.

"Sorrento Afternoon" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Night Market

Most businesses close in the afternoon in Italy and reopen around 4:30 p.m. and stay open into the early evening. These onions, garlic and shallots were on display outside a small market near our hotel in Sorrento.

"Night Market" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Welcome to Sorrento

Here we are, high above the Bay of Naples, enjoying the beauty of the steep cliffs as they knife into the water. There are some black sand beaches but they are few and far in between. It was a long bus ride but it gave us the chance to recuperate from all the walking we did in Rome. I don't know if my feet will ever be the same again.

“Welcome to Sorrento” © Kathy Dunham 2009