A trip to the Amalfi Coast is incomplete without a visit to the stunning Isle of Capri. Before we left Praiano, we hopped on a private boat in the early hours of the morning and spent a day sipping champagne from plastic cups, diving into the azure waters around the island's coastline, exploring caves and eventually climbing up onto the island to take a look around.
It was our favourite day of our entire honeymoon, and because it was so special it's incredibly difficult to put the experience into words. Therefore, I am going to let a short video and far too many photos do all the talking.
Enjoy!
Capri, one day we will be back. And this time it will be for longer.
The tiny hamlet of Praiano gave us our first taste of the Amalfi Coast, and for that reason it will always hold a special place in our hearts. Despite being small in size, there are plenty of hidden gems in and around this little settlement, and if you happen to be staying nearby, I urge you not to bypass it in favour of the larger and better-known Positano.
Here are my top tips for a few days in Praiano.
Have a wander
There is one main road which runs through Praiano, where you can find the village shops, the pretty pastel Church, Parrocchia Di San Genarro and most of the village's Trattorias.
However, pottering down a few of the winding cliff-edge paths can be infiniately rewarding, especially when you round a bend and suddenly come face to face with panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea, the Isle of Capri and the dramatic cliffs that look out towards Positano.
Have a meal at Ristorante La Brace
This gorgeously simple family-run restaurant is on the first floor of a building right in the heart of Praiano. Boasting killer views...
Quaint interiors...
Some excellent inexpensive local wines and locally-sourced food...
And delicious pizza, it is a great place to while away an hour or two over supper as you watch the sun set over the cliffs.
Visit Casa Angelina for a light lunch, aperitifs or supper
This boutique hotel is not to be missed, and while I would fully recommend at least a few nights' stay here (see my full review here), if it is out of your budget, then it's still worth making the effort to pop in for at least a sundowner and a snoop.
Spend an afternoon at Marina di Praia
A gorgeous little cove, tucked away from the main road, this beach is always bustling with people taking part in water sports activities and popping in an out of the marina in fishing boats.
Explore the winding pathways cut into the cliffs...
And watch the sun go down over the village's ancient and famous 'Saracen tower'.
Have supper at Il Pirata
If you follow the cliff path round from Marina di Praia, you will eventually arrive at Il Pirata, a unique restaurant, partially built into the cliff-side and nestled on a steep precipice overlooking the water.
Due to the location and ambience of this restaurant, it is usually packed, so it is worth calling ahead to book your spot. The food isn't out of this world, but the fish is fresh from the sea, and the views are about as romantic as they come.
Have you ever visited Praiano? What have I missed?
You can't pick up a newspaper or switch on the news without hearing someone's opinion about what's going on in Doha and Qatar at the moment. But indulge me a little by clearing your mind of all that you have heard for just a moment, and allow me to tell you about what this city is really about to me; let me tell you about 'my Doha'.
Family and tradition
Because Doha is still so young, it is a city which remains deeply rooted in history and tradition. It only really started to develop when it was officially declared the country's capital as the country gained independence in 1971 and the booming oil trade pumped money into the city. Prior to this time, Qatar was a tribal nation, with an economy based on pearl diving, and culture and values based on strong family ties and religious belief, and much of this tradition can still be seen in and around Doha today.
I love the fact that despite being an economic centre which is growing in importance on the world stage, Doha hasn't completely given into modernisation. Retaining the country's unique culture and tradition is incredibly important to most Qataris.
Beauty and architecture
There is no doubt about it, the skyline of Doha is a spectacle to behold. I will never forget that first taxi ride I took from the airport into the city back in September 2013 - I practically had my nose pressed against the window as we rounded a bend in the Corniche and the sea and city came into view.
There are some truly spectacular pieces of architecture in the city, including my favourites: the Museum of Islamic Art, designed by famous architect I. M. Pei.
And the beautiful blue-tiled mosque in Katara Cultural Village.
New beginnings and opportunity
For the thousands of people that arrive at Hamad International Airport every day seeking a new job and new life, Doha represents hope, change and development. The make-up of Qatar is changing by the day, as the country diversifies its economy to supplement the oil trade, and people flock from all around the world to take advantage of new opportunities.
I was no different. Doha presented me with a new and incredibly exciting job as a CSR Senior Communications Specialist with the team that's delivering the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and along with the job came some incredible opportunities which I could only have dreamed about before.
At the same time, Doha was the place where my blog started to gain a following, and suddenly the invitations and media opportunities came flooding in, giving me the chance to experience new concepts, explore new places, make new friends and consume some of the best food I've ever eaten in my life.
Did you know? Doha was voted as a New7Wonders city precisely because of the new opportunities it is presenting to the world.
Friendship
In a city which is overwhelmingly composed of expats, there are plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded people from similar cultures and backgrounds. Likewise, because of the diversity of Doha's demographic make-up, it is also very easy to build friendships with people that originate from countries that are very different from your own. Whatever you look for in your friends, one thing is for sure: the people that you live near, work with and spend your time with will rapidly become your expat family and support network out here, and you will lean on them like you've never leaned on friends before.
I am incredibly lucky to have met some of the most amazing and inspirational people in my two and a half years in Qatar, and forged some unbreakable bonds. I have a lot of love for my adopted Doha family!
Love
Most importantly for me, Doha will always be the place where my relationship was cemented.
It was where we moved into our first home together.
It was where I became pregnant, and where we will shortly have a family of our very own.
In short, Doha for me is love, and Doha for now is home.
____
Over to you Qatar bloggers! What does Doha mean to you? Is it the place that serves up all of your favourite foods? The city that inspires your passion for fashion? Your long-term family home? Or simply a temporary living arrangement? Feel free to write about anything your heart desires.
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Sorry for the four week gap between updates, it's been difficult to keep up with everything. As you can see, Baby Sunshine has grown enormously in this time. Yesterday, I hit the 33 week mark, which means she is apparently about the size of a Honeydew Melon, and weighs about 4.5 pounds!
The eagle-eyed amongst you might notice that I now have a faint but visible linea negra (the line that runs down from my tummy button) and I am sporting a lovely outie.
Symptoms
So, so many. Most are neatly summarised in this post, but I will also add Braxton Hicks contractions (fairly painful practice contractions), constant exhaustion and difficulty breathing to the list. Oh, and did I mention that I am waking up about 4 times a night because she is bouncing on my bladder and kicking my ribs at regular intervals?! Her awake times have fallen into a bit of a pattern so we keep reassuring ourselves that this is all good practice for what is to come. I'm slowly acclimatising to the constant zombie-like state that I will be in for the next 2 years after she's born, so it's all good.
What I've been eating
As much as I can, whenever and wherever I can. I am now constantly hungry, and never seem to be full. Check out some of my recent food loves:
A photo posted by Follow Your Sunshine (@polbag) on
How I've been feeling
Constantly excited. We started our anti-natal classes in week 30, and learning all about the intricacies of childbirth and preparing for life after baby have helped me to feel as though this is really about to happen. We also finished buying the final bits for the nursery and it finally looks like a proper little girl's room.
I've been a little more emotional over the past week or so, as the hormones have really ramped up a notch, but it's mainly all happy emotions! In my downtime, I've been watched baby vlogs, birthing videos and YouTubers' nursery tours on a loop and sobbing quietly to myself. I tend to do this when it's only me in the house so that Mr Sunshine doesn't think I've turned into a complete nutter.
What I've been wearing
Anything comfortable and stretchy. If it's made out of Egyptian cotton and resembles a sack, I'm all over it.
When I am out and about, and this kind of garment is not acceptable, then TopShop and ASOS maternity wear are my current staples, and I have discovered a new love of oversized 'boyfriend' shirts.
A photo posted by Follow Your Sunshine (@polbag) on
Products I've been using
I have continued to try to keep product use to a minimum as much as I am able so that I'm not subjecting the little one to any nasty chemicals. A few weeks ago I purchased an acetone-free nail polish remover, which surprised me by actually working really well! This is a real win for me - even pregnant women should be able to have nice nails.
Baby bits
So I might have mentioned the nursery already in this post, and those of you that follow me on Instagram have not heard the end of it, but LOOK HOW PRETTY IT IS!!
A photo posted by Follow Your Sunshine (@polbag) on
With the final piece of furniture in place, I'm getting some artwork up on the wall this week and then a detailed blog post with all the deets will follow in due course.
I've also been preparing by washing all of Baby Sunshine's teeny weeny baby grows and sleep suits. I can't tell you how excited it makes me looking out to our balcony and seeing this view!
A photo posted by Follow Your Sunshine (@polbag) on
Links of the week
I have discovered a new mummy blog that I think you will all love. Seek My Scribbles by new mummy Megan is a great source of advice and wisdom, and features some pretty photography too.
I also can't end this post without mentioning the absolutely hilarious Mum of Boys, which is written be a fellow UK expat in the Middle East, Louise. She has kept me entertained on many an evening with her witty anecdotes on family life.
Final words
I want to dedicate this little bit at the bottom to Mr Sunshine, who has been an absolute rock for me over the past few weeks. Despite working some pretty grotty hours, he has tolerated me keeping him awake with my incessant tossing and turning during the night, supported me when I've told him how difficult I'm finding these last few weeks, and has done everything he can to help keep the house chores and general life admin ticking along. Couldn't do this without you husband!
If you're interested in how he's feeling about fatherhood, you can read a recent guest post from him here.
