One last photo from the balcony of our Naples hotel. When they finish the boulevard they’re working on, it will be a beautiful location. If you come to Naples, try Hotel Santa Lucia. It was lovely and everyone was very kind there. The marina and port view was nice to wake up to each day, and those dozen pizzarias just down the street were epic to walk by.
With pride I tell you that we have had no transportation snags all day. We hauled our big suitcases to the port. It was a 20 minute walk, but this is not the problem; we’ve done that walk nearly every day. I was nervous about by shoulder and arm, and also about how my suitcase wheels would manage the rough terrain of the city streets and sidewalks. I inherited my suitcase from my father. He said it was a good one, and he was right! It’s been around the world and across the country several times. I am not a light packer. I like to have variety when I choose my clothing each day, and apparently I get bored too easily! I like soft-sided luggage, and I do not like clamshell cases; all these proclivities make me very un-current.
We boarded in the pouring rain, and figured out the luggage storage area quickly and easily. The sea was a bit rough, but not so awful that I couldn’t read some of My Friends. This novel takes place in a city in Sweden– it has not been specified– but as I read it, I am picturing it taking place in and around Naples.
When we docked, the rain was gone. It’s not crowded here at all– it’s a Monday and it’s November and the tourist season has passed. As we walked around this afternoon, all the visitors seemed to be retirees. For a little more than one Euro, there is an elevator to take you and your luggage up to the street from the port level. Thank goodness!
We were early, but our room was ready and we proceeded at an unhurried pace to eat small sandwiches, wash clothing, find gelato, and enjoy a promenade on the shopping street. The only glitch was the soap vending machine did not drop detergent! See that stuck packet along row #9, “Big Soap”? It belongs to us! We paid two euros for it, and then another euro for a small packet that also got stuck. Mark found a stick outside and managed to dislodge the small packet.
Our first gelateria choice was a twenty minute walk away and was closed when we arrived. So we went to choice #2. Dubai chocolate and Ferrero Rocher were my choices, and I thought my scooper was over generous for a piccolo. I believe karma is in balance now, and actually, who wouldn’t rather have the fates take your soap and return gelato in its place?
Sorrento is so quiet and calm, especially compared to Naples! And very clean, with lots of people who speak English. Soon we’ll meet our new group, Road Scholar, for orientation and dinner.
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We were there in lemon season–heavenly! I’m so glad you escaped the rain and are finding it so lovely; it’s indeed a beautiful town.