Napoli & Surroundings

Napoli, what a kip!

I kinda expected that as I had read in the books that this wasn't the nicest city your ever to likely visit. However, using Napoli as a base to go to elsewhere is fine. The first thing you notice is the traffic here - it is absolutely crazy. On every main thotoughfare, there are about 9 lanes. 3 going on way, 3 going the other, and the middle 3 seem to be a free for all between the trams, the scooters and whoever else wants to use them going in any direction. It is not uncommon when a car wants to enter from a side street to pull right out into the middle of a lane, and then cars coming that direction, instead of slowing down/stopping to pull around behind into the side street and back onto the main thoroughfare. The second thing you notice about the city is all the rubbish that seems to be piled around the city. The Commora (the local mafia) control the cities sanitation & don't seem to be doing a very good job.

Arrived here on Monday evening & having eventually found my barings found the hostel. On checking in I received free pasta & wine. Everyone here was friendly & helpful & a group of us decided to head to Pompeii in the morning. The bus out to Pompeii was 5 Euro return , and entry into the ruins 20 Euro. Pompeii was fascinating, its massive - it takes the whole day to get to see it all. You can really imagine the Romans wandering around the town. See pictures, my camera eats batteries up, I have some more on the phone will try get them up later. Had a lovely pizza/canalone in a restaurant in Pompeii before heading back to Napoli.

On Wednesday, I went to the volcanic island of Ischia in Bay of Naples. There are volcanic pools there where the sea water is heated by the volcanic activity. Went for a swim and a bit of a walk around the island, before returning back to the hostel for 4.30.

going on a pizza tour tonight with a large group from the hostel to sample the "pizzas" of Napoli. Then off to Rome in the morning.