Naples, Italy

Naples Cruise Port courtesy of Google

On my first trip to Rome, my ex and I were in a taxi with the most charming taxi driver I have ever met. He was from Naples. As they say, he wore his heart on his sleeve. He told us about his mother. He had tears in his eyes. He could not have made us feel more welcome to the enchanting city of Rome, but he made me want to visit Naples even more. So we did. We took a tour that went to Naples and the Amalfi Coast and then on to Pompeii. 

The tour was great. I have been to Pompeii twice now and am still in awe of what is there. I saw a glimpse of Naples ... the garbage, the traffic, the grime. But Naples intrigues me. I loved Palermo, so maybe I can love Naples too. On my next Holland America line cruise, we will be one day in Naples. I immediately knee jerk reacted and thought I would do a tour to the Isle of Capri, which is to die for. The ferry ride is exciting, the waters and views from the cliffs amazing, but maybe just maybe I will stay in Naples instead.

I would love to visit the National Archaeological Museum. Many of the artifacts from Pompeii are actually displayed there. I am getting my bearings, figuring out. Maybe I will take a taxi to the Museum. It doesn't look far and I am sure it will not disappoint. More information on this Museum can be found here.

Archaeology Museum at Naples courtesy of Vincenzo Surace

And the best of all, maybe I will meet some folks that are like that taxi driver I met in Rome. I bet I will!

Funny Faces Part 2

Venice funny faces

This is the typical funny faces of tourists who are completely lost and trying to act like they know where they are going, but their faces give them away.

More funny faces at Venice

Not quite sure what the guy in the bright green sweater is trying to convey. Every face in this photo looks tense and not sure of themselves. But since I don't know them, maybe I am reading their faces completely wrong.

Funny face of our tour guide from Naples

My all time favorite funny face is the one of our tour guide from Naples. He did not have just a funny face, but he looked like he was dressed as a pirate. i think the guide we were supposed to get must have called in sick or something, as he said he was only used as a fill in. He was totally crazy and would just dump us out in the street to fend for ourselves at each stop. He never took us on our promised walking tours, but he was really fun and comical. He also shamelessly flirted with every woman on the bus. 

Herculaneum: A Gargoyle-Inspired Place

Herculaneum

Herculaneum, not far from the Bay of Naples, is a smaller place than Pompeii but better preserved. Having been to Pompeii a few times, I look forward to an excursion to this fascinating place. It also was destroyed by the volcanic flow of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The people were killed by intense heat, but there is great preservation of their bones. 

Rings on the fingers at Herculaneum

More than 300 skeletons have been found. This is definitely a gargoyle-inspired place. More info on Herculaneum and its skeletons can be found here on wikipedia.