Bonjourno, Positano!

First Published in Options, The Edge Malaysia, 20 February, 2016

Almost too pretty to be true, Positano lodges itself in one’s memory

I was in the hamlet of Montepertuso, about 300 meters high on a rocky escarpment, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea shimmering blue far below.  Montepertuseo was small, with the customary church and a few buildings, but it had a breathtaking view of the rugged coastline, with its craggy cliffs.  Just below, the picturesque town of Positano was spread over the contours of the steep terrain that descended down to the sea.

Sorrento By The Sea

First Published in Options, The Edge Malaysia, July 18, 2015

The Sorrento Cathedral is a large, airy building near the center of the old quarter. It is not particularly notable as grand cathedrals go, but by the entrance to its dim interior are several panels depicting religious scenes, of such finely-wrought detail that the expressions on faces, the folds of clothing and details of the background landscape in perspective are evident.  The panels are rendered in varying shades of brown, because they are not painted or embroidered, but are wood marquetry, the ancient craft of applying wood inlay in decorative patterns. 

Wood marquetry became popular in the town of Sorrento in the eighteenth century, in response to the increased numbers of people visiting the town, because even back then, it was already well-known as a resort town and tourist destination.  And it has been so ever since.