Touring Napoi

Click on title for Today's Photo Album: Naples Day 2

After a good night's sleep we awoke to sunny skies. I quickly took some pix of our balcony views. Got dressed and went down to breakfast.  The traditional buffet fare, with exceptional coffee. Great view of the Castle and the water.  The six of us were finally all gathered by about 9:30 and the plan was to head into the city and see what we could see.  Unfortunately, Jim was having some tendon problems with the heel of his foot so it was rest for him. All these streets are pretty uneven with large stones. I had great sympathy for him, having experienced foot pain first hand.

The five of us finally got walking at around 10:30. By then the skies had darkened somewhat and it was on and off sprinkles all morning.  No biggie, the temperature was still pretty warm. Our first stop was the Church of St. Gannaro.

Yearly on the first weekend of May (on Saturday) and on the 19th September amazement spreads through Naples Cathedral. There one can marvel at how the blood of the beheaded San Gennaro liquefies in its ampule. 

According to the people this blood miracle takes place, when no disaster is expected in the near future. For most of the natives of Naples the service has an oracle character. The absence of the miracle augurs tragedy for Naples and its surroundings. For instance in 1980 before the harsh earthquake took its toll on 2000 lives, the blood didn’t liquefy.

The people of Naples rather have a personal than religious relationship with San Gennaro. They present him their wishes with love and expect them to be fulfilled. 

After touring the church, J and Paula went into the treasury of St. Gennaro to view the "goods".

Toledo Metro Station

Elaine, Geoff, and myself passed and waited outside.  From here we headed to Toledo St. where there is not only shopping (Paula happens to like shopping) but a new metro that has been written up in the NY Times as one of the best. Naples is transforming their subway stations into art stations. The Toledo stop is just one of 13.

On the way back to the hotel we ran into the Galleria Umberto I. A beautiful structure and is some sort of shopping mall.

Galleria Umberto I is a public shopping gallery in Naples, southern Italy. It is located directly across from the San Carlo opera house. It was built between 1887–1891, and was the cornerstone in the decades-long rebuilding of Naples — called the risanamento (lit. "making healthy again") — that lasted until World War I. It was designed by Emanuele Rocco, who employed modern architectural elements reminiscent of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. The Galleria was named for Umberto I, King of Italy at the time of construction. It was meant to combine businesses, shops, cafes and social life — public space — with private space in the apartments on the third floor.

Before going back to the hotel we stopped at the supermarket to pick up some supplies for the boat. Returned to our rooms and met up again for snacks in Paula and J's room.  Sat and around and chatted for awhile then decided to head across the street to the Castel Dell'Ovo.

Castel dell'Ovo (in Italian, Egg Castle) is a seaside castle in Naples, located on the former island of Megaride, now a peninsula, on the Gulf of Naples in Italy. The castle's name comes from a legend about the Roman poet Virgil, who had a reputation in medieval times as a great sorcerer and predictor of the future. In the legend, Virgil put a magical egg into the foundations to support the fortifications. Had this egg been broken, the castle would have been destroyed and a series of disastrous events for Naples would have followed.

Not much to touring the castle. Walked around took in the views and walked back down. It was back to the rooms for a bit and then we reconvened up at the terrace for a cocktail before dinner. So there we were having a grand ol' time on the terrace (with more lovely views) when these two women wonder upon us and engage in conversation. After about 10 or 15 minutes we all came to the conclusion that Donna (originally from CT now from west coast FL) and her mother Phyllis (from CT) are our fifth couple on the ship!!  What are the odds???  We all got along great so there is no more mystery as to who the last 2 people will be.

Elaine got in contact with Angie and Dennis (our other friends who have been touring Italy for a couple of weeks now). They will come down and meet us at our hotel tomorrow and we have arranged a van to take the 8 of us down to the port. Should be an hour ride or so. With all that settled, it was time for dinner. We went next door to Antonio & Antonio where everyone else went on their first night. Got the royal treatment from Mariano. A good time was had by all.

Jim & J

The evening had turned out gorgeous and it was back up to the terrace for a nightcap and cigars. Jim had a great day just resting his foot and hanging at the hotel. We all enjoyed our hike through town and were thankful for the rest, On the way up to the terrace, elevator laughter broke out! The elevators are very small and all of us in one made for one hysterical moment. It was one of those "you had  to be there moments".  Hanging out on the terrace with the view of the castle and the moon was very cool. Lots of stories came out. I brought up my old radio days at WBZ and the Larry Glick Show and Calling All Sports and the boys went nuts. A lot of memories.

Well, we are making more memories now. Tomorrow we plan for an early breakfast, hang out at the pool and then we are off to the port to meet our ship. Not sure if we will have wifi service or not so if you don't here from me in a while not to worry.

Ciao.

Click on title for Today's Photo Album: Naples Day 2

Next time... The Ship