Naples – UH Nasty!

Saturday 1 pm

Well, our train ride to Naples from Florence was pleasant – we caught up on some reading, some card games (crazy eights, gin, the matching up game) went over the map and where we would go from Capri…was served some HOT coke (no ice!) and arrived 3 hours later…Coming into the station in Naples we were all shocked!  We got off the train and walked towards – well, we did not know where we were going!  The people were all around us, ‘Taxi, Taxi, Taxi”  Now, the European Taxi’s are SMALL – which means that a family of six would have to take two and there was NO WAY that I was going to separate from my family.  We had this one persistent person who said he would take us to the Ferry for 20 Euros (we were planning on taking a bus) but thought if he could take us all then it would be OK.  We started to walk out of the train station – and the sight was horrific!  I can’t imagine us walking to the bus to get to the ferry!  Our cab driver did not speak a lick of English but turned out very nice and got us where we needed to be!  I was praying all the way!  We got to the ferry safe and sound.

The Ferry – we pay, we roll our bags to station 5 and we board the Fast Boat to Capri (departing at 6:55 pm and arriving 45 minutes later)  The boat ride was exciting.  There is something about water that I just LOVE! 

We arrived in Capri about 7:40 pm and Blakely had a list of hotels of which we were going to go and find – the first on her list was the JW Marriott.

As we got off the boat in Capri – looking a little frazzled – we saw a man holding a sign for JW Marriott and we asked him if he could give us a ride (he was waiting for a private boat to arrive)  we really did not know where we were going – but saw him and thought we would give it a shot.  He called the hotel to see if they had room and directed us up to the hotel.  There are NO cars that go up the mountain – so the “Marriott Man” would just walk you up the mountain!  It was a mountainous climb!! First you get on this Trolley that climbs part of the mountain – we thought we were going on a roller coaster ride!  Then when you get off the Trolley you start walking through the town – all six of us rolling our bags.  The streets are narrow and steep!  We finally found the Marriott and Clark was working a deal – but they would only let 2 people stay in a room.  We were tired, sweaty, hungry – but happy!  Everyone had smiles on their faces!  They directed us to another hotel - the Villa Brunelli – that I found to have the BEST views and I was very happy!  Our motto for this entire adventure – “Don’t Worry,  Be Happy”  I was HAPPY!

We ordered room service – a bit of a stretch – budget wise – but it was 10 pm and we were starving!– pasta, French fries, bread, bruschetta and wine  plus the most romantic view of the moon and the sea – of course Ford said – ‘this is not romantic – this is cool!’

We are happy to be here.  I am still shocked and proud of my kids strolling their luggage ALL OVER THE PLACE without complaining once!

We are excited about Capri!!!

Stay tuned!