Naples contd

Detail from Farnese Collection, Capodimonte, Naples

See Naples and Die 2

Capodimonte
Farnese Collection
Caracci, Caravaggio, Guido Reni, Gentileschi, Massaccio...and so on
Donna Regina a virtual cavalcade of Pop to now.
Anish Kapoor pure pigment draws you in

Museo Archeologico Frescos and Mosaics
S Chiara

Decumanus, Via Dei Tribunali, Via Toledo, Narrow streets full of life and washing hanging from windows

Walking Walking Walking

Galleria. glass domed, beer and prosecco

Hotel Miramare and the bay of naples

See Naples and die

 I believe is the saying.

And it is very apt. The hotel is on the water in St Lucia, a promenade between the port and Castel L'Ovo. We went for a walk along and to the restaurants by the castle last night. Real exotic moorish atmosphere there comapred to this side.

We had drinks and canapes on the hotel roof garden last night, then went for dinner.

Since I had such a beautiful Pizza for lunch I didn't need any dinner.

Though I still woke 4am and have been awake since.

 

Today we are off to see some museums including the archeological museum and Capodimonte.

Then a walk back through the narrow streets.

Looking forward to some more pizza.
 

Cassino

On the way to Naples Good to be out of the hectic core of Rome and onto the highway to see some landscape, dry, brown, and very hazy. We stopped at Cassino War Cemetery, very sobering place, with many kiwi graves. There was a commemoration going on of the many indian soldiers who were killed in the area. We caught the last post - very moving. Onward to Napoli and the sea.

Roma

Rome

Everyone that is going to arrive today has done so. Mostly on time, and all in good spirits.

 

I have adjusted to Rome time today, though I spent most of the day in the lobby waiting for folks to turn up I did get out for coffee and pizza this afternoon.

 

Mary took the group for our first walk, visiting three churches including one of my favourites - St Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (pictured) by Borromini.

A stark contrast to the richly ornate church where one of Berninis most famous sculptures resides just up the road.

 

There are a lot of pilgrimage tours around, and at our hotel they are especially thick on the ground. Mostly Americans.

 

It seems every room at the hotel is different, some singles are very small, though none have a shower quite like mine - this is a good thing. The poor air con system struggles at times to cool the place down - but otherwise it is very bearable.

 

Everyone is up early tomorrow and we are off to Naples via the Cassino War Cemetery.

Here is looking forward to Naples and some fresh sea air.

The pig has sunglasses

Arrival Rome
Frankfurt Airport is large, and rather functional - I can not imagine there being any spaces for just sitting around and looking at oversized carp swimming leisurely around a bamboo forest.
Such a big airport and seeing it so empty at 5am is interesting. No one is about. Hardly a passport controller or anyone. I did get my passport stamped entering the EU.
Arriving in Rome is most unlike arriving at auckland airport - the NON EU passport lane and the something and or nothing to declare lanes are all one, and I couldn't find anyone to show my passport too. I guess that is the result of one border.

Hotel Torino is looking allright - though a single room means a single room in europe.
Jetlag has caught up on me a little but I did manage a walk around the area a couple of times. I have already scoped out the closest bar to watch the World cup final, and found the small ristorabte behind the hotel - outside wall adorned with pig whilst man inside procedes to chop into very small pieces a cooked version of said porker. Nice.

I will enjoy the quiet before it all kicks off tomorrow.
Looking forward to Naples and beyond.

Singapore

9 hours 50 to Singapore

4 Movies, 2 meals, 1 large man with protruding arms, and a 10 minute nap only to be rudely awoken as we hit the tarmac. Litterally shaken awake. Pretty damn bumpy flight but it is nice to be back at Changi - with the free foot massage, faux chinese garden and oversized carp swimming free - you would never think something so false could look so lush and rewarding.

 

3 Hours hear then it is on to Frankfurt - looking forward to a sleep.