The original plan was to rent scooters and go around the 91 miles of coastline here in Elba but it was pretty expensive, you have to wear these huge motorcycle helmets, and the bus gets you to the same places for only 7 Euros per person for a daily pass so on the bus we went.
Our first stop was the capital city of Portoferraio. This is where most of the people come from mainland Italy. The port is large with many ferries coming and going. We hiked up to the Medici Fortress, built in 1548 by the Medici Grand Duke “Cosimo I”. I got some great shots of the lighthouse.
Napoleon has two residences here on the Island and we decided to hop back on the bus and head for San Martino to his “summer villa”. Do you recognize the quote “Able was I ere I saw Elba”"?
Finally, we spent hours on the bus just watching the scenery pass by and feeling like we were on “Mr. Toads Wild Ride”. I did say a few prayers as the big tourist-size bus curved along roads with nothing but sheer cliffs on one side, having to stop suddenly for the cars to pass in the opposite direction. One little girl with her Grandmother sat in the seats next to us and she sang the song "the wheels on the bus go round and round..." in Italian of course, but I will remember that forever. The views were stunning as the sea below glistened in the sun and the iron ore that sustained Elba for many years stained the rocks red. Elba is still part of Tuscany so all the homes here are Tuscan style and with the sun setting on the orange stucco, the light and colors were just magnificent. Another day in Paradise!
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