Ninja Turtles, Pizza, and Mafia...

People warned me about Naples. It's dangerous, crazy, dirty.  All of this, I find, is true. The streets are filthy, the cars honk and run past you in a red light, the mafia rules Naples. And yet, when decided on one big trip to go on when Adam is here, we choose Naples. For the history.

Naples is near Pompeii. You know, the town that was covered by ash, leaving people dying with agonizing expressions, discovered centuries later on a dig. Well, we wanted to see this ancient Roman town, and for good reason. It is spectacular. No way would Rome compare in Roman ways.

Pompeii with the volcano that destroyed it in the background

Ancient baths

The amphitheater

In a brothel you could just pick the way you want it.

A man that appears to be praying in death. Although we pray to different Gods

I would probably be doing the same thing.

This is very humbling.

 

 

After strolling through a lost city, we decided to hike the volcano that destroyed it. That's right...another item off my bucket list. We hiked a volcano. Vesuvius.

The view of Sorrento from trekking up.

Um yes. That's the volcano part. It now has low activity, but we were told

because it is a close chamber volcano, the next time it explodes,

Pompeii all over again.

 Me at a volcano.

The hike up was exhausting because the trail is made up of ash. You sink in more than sand.

 

 

Then there is Naples. First it reminds us of the Ninja Turtles. It is dirty and dark. There actually is an underground. Rats probably do know karate, and as in my previous post, the pizza is AMAZING!  We spent our time in Naples at the museum, seeing amazing archeological wonders, (including Adam's favorite mosaic.) Underground. In every pizza joint in town. (We were told that Sorbillo was the best, but both of us liked Donna Sofia better.) Near the sea, enjoying the breeze. Attempting to close our eyes and walk through the two horses in Piazza Reale. (Failing miserably.) And chilling at the hostel, which may or may not have been the best part of the city.

Adam's favorite mosaic is from Pompeii. It is of Alexander the Great.

My history nerd is pretty cute.

This would be great to wake up to right. Don't get on the wrong side of the Mafia.

 The Underground was not exactly made for Adam

 This picture made Naples seem beautiful.

This was the view going into our hostel. I love it!

 Naples by night from the castle we tried to get in, but, unfortunately,

Michael Bolten had a concert there. Yes, Adam did start singing...

 Piazza Reale

A street in pretty part of Naples

At the fortress with Naples in the background.

Um, yes. How relaxing.

 

 

All and all I think we really enjoyed ourselves in Sunny Southern Italy!