11/10/2022
So time for day 3 from my Italian adventures.
Here I bring you the city of Naples and the Island of Capri.
Naples is the 3rd largest city in Italy behind Rome and Milan. The Port of Naples is one of the largest Italian seaports and one of the largest seaports in the Mediterranean Sea having an annual traffic capacity of around 25 million tons of cargo.
The city of Naples houses some amazing architecture, and there are some tremendous views. The shadow of Mount Vesuvius looms large, only 9 miles from Naples and 1 of only 2 active volcanoes in Europe.
Internally though, this massive metroplitan city paints a different story. A number of people I know have been here and quoted as it being run down, dirty and unloved. And I have very much seen it with my own eyes. Streets littered with waste. Refuse bins overflowing, rats around every corner. The indegenious people...Neoploitan by name are intense and there is a very noticable dislike for the tourist trade. This is made clear for the distinct lack of people speaking any meaningful English. Now its their prerogative, its their home, why should they? The difficulty I found trying to communicate is immense. This being mainly my fault. I mean I am an outsider. Its should be down to me to learn their lingo. After a few days I had picked up a few words but nowhere near enough to strike up a meaningful conversation...that I fear would take months rather than days.
Anyway, back to this days adventure. The weather shocking, 90% chance of rain for the next 2 days. And me being the 'Unprepared Traveller' I was mooching around in nothing more that a pair of cargo trousers and my favourite hoody. But determined to not let this inconvenience ruin my exploration I soldiered on...I mean I'm British for f**k sake...Im used to this weather! 🤣
So camera in hand I wander and wander, looking for anything that was remotely interesting. After a few hours I happen accross aforementioned port and noticed it offered hourly rides to the nearby Island of Capri, a popular destination for tourists to the area. At 20 euros each way it seemed like a good shout so I boarded the ferry and braved the rough 45 min sea trip. Upon arrival I was already soaked through, which in itself was not a problem. The bigger concern was, although my camera equipment was weather sealed, I was unsure of the level of weather was safe. Trust me...it was raining hard. So with a heavy heart I decided to cut my short side trip even shorter. I would have loved to explore the Island more but I was stuck with only seeing the Marina Grande. But I suppose it just gives me an excuse to come back in more pleasant times...