We boarded the boat about 9am and were soon underway. The trip is about 25 miles to the island of Elba so it took a while. When we arrived, we continued around the island to a shipwreck where we all went diving. There were lots if boats there as it is quite popular. Soon we weighed anchor and headed for a secluded cove to swim and make some lunch. Antonio brought fresh mozzarella with him on the boat.
The cove was a beautiful, deep indigo blue with highlights of turquoise where there was sand on the ocean floor . The temperature was cold enough to cool us off, and warm enough to swim in for hours…just right. There were semi-smooth rocks jutting up from the water that we jumped off  that were 20 feet from jump off to slash down in the sea. Antonio’s son Andrea was the first to jump and show our boys where to jump. Tina was really nervous to jump off the rock. So nervous in fact that she would run and then put her brakes on and say, “Shit, shit, shit”. After about 45  minutes of this Antonio swam to the rocks, climbed up and helped Tina jump. When I say help I mean that Antonio grabbed her hand, and pulled her with him  into the water below.
After an enjoyable afternoon frolicking in the Mediterranean we pulled up anchor and headed into Porto Azzura. Antonio docked the boat and the six of us took a cab a short 5 minute ride to our hotel.
The hotel was bright white stucco with dark wood, Â arched shutters and orange umbrellas all around the multi level patio. Our rooms overlooked the sea with stunning panoramic views. When we return we will definitely stay at this hotel for at least a full week.
We showered and took a cab to the town of Elba. The piazza was a buzz with locals and tourists alike. We shopped a bit and then sat down for an apartif.
We met Antonio and Andrea for dinner where we picked out a fish that was caught earlier in the day and enjoyed a most wonderful meal. After dinner, we walked and talked and window shopped the night away.
We arrived back at our hotel in time to enjoy live music and then settle in for a well deserved rest.
More to come tomorrow…
Love to all…
GB