Sad arrividerci to Florence today, as we boarded a train to Naples.

Naples is ALIVE! Bustling streets, screaming locals, cars chasing down pedestrians, motorbikes swerving, aged buildings with modern adaptations, graffiti, baby stroller impaled on an old church gate. Awesome! Totally vibrant and passionate town.

Our train got stuck for a while, so by the time we checked into our hotel (the rather spacious Hotel Bellini) we were starving. Went to a place the Lonely Planet recommended called La Cantina Della Sapienza. Full of locals, loud and friendly, with a dude playing a drum and singing in the corner. We had Eggplant Parmigana which was delicious, and we fell in love with Naples rather quickly!

Maybe it was just what we ordered, but I really noticed that the food around here feels like Lebanese food. Lots of similar ingredients and flavours. Even the drummer/singer was drumming a beat that was familiar. I’m curious to see how common this is…

Marthese was exhausted so retired to the Hotel while I ventured forth to the Naples Archaeological Museum. We only have 2 nights here so I needed to check it out! And it was phenomenal, so far an absolute trip highlight. Full of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, mosaics, pottery, paintings and coins, much of it taken from nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum. Some parts had lots of info, others were extremely poorly signed and I wasn’t sure what I was looking at. Rick Steve’s Self-Guided Tour helped a little, but I still craved more info! Not nearly as bad as the Cairo Museum.

The whole thing was completely overwhelming, staring at 2000 year old sculptures and busts depicting Roman rulers and Greek Gods. A lot of them had been reconstructed, but considering the mammoth size of so many of the pieces I’m amazed so much survived!

Surprisingly the Museum was pretty much empty! Usually I was completely alone as I wandered the huge rooms (I think the museum was formerly a palace). Loved it, felt like everything was there just for me.

Am exhausted now, hoping I can muster the energy to hit the street again and try some Napoli Pizza!