Capri
From Cruise Around the World in Capri, Italy on Apr 30 '07
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5.1.2007 Naples, Italy
This morning we were awaken by the Capt.’s voice explaining that we were not going to be anchoring at Capri but rather we were going on to Naples. It seems that Capri is the only port that requires you to use their tenders and it was just rough enough that the Capt. didn’t feel comfortable entrusting his passengers to them. Capri is such a great spot that some elected to take a 45 minute hydro-foil ride from Naples and go back. Since we have been there twice before, we weren’t as disappointed as some. Naples has a bad reputation for crime and everyone was warned not to wear jewelry or valuable watches ashore and since the traffic is so chaotic it was suggested we not take taxi’s and to be careful in crossing streets. Consequently many including Sallie, Joanne and Don decided to stay aboard and have a day of rest.
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As we arrived we could see Mount Vesuvius that had a violent eruption 1n 79 AD burying the town of Pompeii and it’s 20,000 inhabitants under many feet of Volcanic ash. Pompeii was lost for 1600 years before an accidental rediscovery. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinary detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. Sallie and I, along with John and Ellie Gummere spent the night in Naples in 1992 and visited Pompeii but because we didn’t feel safe did not hang around Naples but went onto The Amafi Coast and Capri. The reason we didn’t feel safe was an attempt for two motorcyclists to stop our driver between the train station and our hotel to rob us. Our driver had just told us how they do this by one motorcycle forcing the car to stop and the other robbing the passengers. Suddenly it was happening to us and he sped up and eventually suddenly pulling into a parking lot which was part of a police station.
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After memories of that experience, warnings by the ship and having read of the crime problem in Naples I was reluctant to go into town but finally decided to after lunch and was glad I did.
The passenger terminal is new and surprisingly inviting. Within a block of the terminal much excavation of old ruins is taking place and along side is the very large Castel Nuovo which had been surrounded by a large moat. On the other side of the castle on the waterfront facing a large beautiful square, Plaza del Plebiscito, is the Royal Palace with the c church of Francesco di poala with its beautiful colonnade just opposite.. On the square is the Royal Palace., I bought a ticket and toured the Palace but unfortunately I could not take pictures. It was magnificent with a great deal of beautiful marble and carved stone work in a grand monumental staircase and ceilings. In addition there were many beautiful paintings, tapestries, and carved statues. Originally built for a Spanish Regent when Spain ruled Naples and later redecorated Queen Isabella, it is a jewel. Adjoining the palace is the San Carlos Opera House and within a block is perhaps the original shopping mall, the Galleria Umberto. In the square, there was a collection of good looking racing cars assembled for some race. I returned to the ship unhazzled and unthreatened and reluctant to tell the others what I had seen and they had missed.
Sallie had made a reservation for 8 in La Terraza and we had an enjoyable dinner with our young friends, Cynthia and Mike Kenneally and Joanne and Denny Sprung and the West’s.
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