Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-03
noted BLUE GR0TT0
ON|SLAND Of CAPRI
Gem Attraction Offered to All
Travellers Who Are "Do-
ing Italy," .
TRIP MADE FROM NAPLES
ABOARD SHABBY STEAMER
German Tourists Most Numerous
Among Those Who Visit the
World-Famous Spot.

osaH correspondence Of The Star.
NAPLES. May 13.-An previous read
ing about the attractions of Naples had
told us that a visit to Capri in order to
see the world-famous blue grotto was
an absolute requirement; that not to
make the voyage across to the queer
shaped rocky island which forms the
most distinctive feature of the outlook
from the harbor's edge was to forfeit all
claim to the title of conscientious sight
seers. The names of Naples and Capri
are virtually identical and it is also en-
joined upon the tourist to take advantage
OF the first favorable day, with a calm
sea and no wind from north or north
west. to make the journey, without which
a soJourn in Naples is a waste of time.
So today. conditions being favorable.
We went to Capri and saw the blue
gTotto and. inasmuch as this is frank
and truthful chronicle of happenings and
impressions. candor compels me to de-
clare that the expedition was not the
tremendous success that from previous
advertisements it was expected to be-
To be sure, the blue grotto is blue: that
cannot be denied. and probably in other
than the circumstances which prevailed
,today-incidental in part to the fact that
the tourist season is still on here-a
sojourn in this peculiarly Illuminated
cavity in the rocky coast of Capri would
be well worth the trouble necessary to
reach it,
Those who are not doing Italy" on
tourist agency coupon basis are usually
supplied at their hotels with tickets that
apparently cover the entire expedition
The suave and persuasive porter also
may include luncheon tickets at a speci-
fed hotel Thus equipped by the latter
mode, we started early this morning to
go to the steamer, which anchors off the
CASTILLO dell Oxo. the ancient treasure
house of Frederick II. The government
evidently had not quite completed it's ar
engagements for the resumption of the
tram service, for the tracks were empty
and motor cars were scorching to and
fro. packed with people. No cabs were in
sight, so we walked.
At the landing stage we found it neces-
Reina Elena a shabby little steamer
moored beyond the breakwater of the
inner harbor about fifth of a mile from
shore. Many others We're there with u.s.
and We made the trip in a party of ten
at the rate of 6 cents each The steamer
loads continued to come until the decks
were crowded, and | began to doubt the
capacity of the blue grotto to hold all its
visitors.
Docking Facilities Lacking.
Some day. perhaps. an enterprising
Neapolitan will build a pier at which the
Capri boat can land. and thus lessen the
annoyance and delay incident to a trip to
the famed island. But this will cut off
a considerable source of income from the
boatmen, who now make a very good liv-
ing, under a concession system from the
lack of modern docking facilities. A few
years ago it was estimated that $1,000
people visit Capri annually. and these
alone spend 5000 in small-boat fares at
the Naples end.
1t is related that Capri is an especial