12th September 2019 Stayed for the next four days in a Camper Sosta on the outskirts of Naples. All the services as well as showers and toilet.
Driving day.
We left our carpark and drove down the narrow road to the main road. We did encounter another vehicle on this narrow road but they backed into a driveway and let us pass. Today we set off in the direction of Naples and spent most of the day just driving. An easy drive until we stupidly decided to go into the town of Casino. The traffic was really busy and the streets narrow, glad to get out without a scratch. As we drove closer to the Naples area we noticed the rubbish on the side of the road increased to the state of disgusting. Just a few days earlier we were saying that Italy looks much cleaner than in previous trips, not around Naples.
Grumpy Sosta Man.
We chose to stay in a Sosta (Italian motorhome aire) near to Naples and catch the train in. The park4night mostly gave it good review’s but did say that the manager was a grumpy man. When we arrive mid afternoon we were told to park up and then a worker directed us to where we could park, a place in full sun. I could see another place in the shade and said that we went going to park in a sunny place when I could see a shady site. The worker consulted with the grumpy manager and degrudgeadly let us park there. The whole time we were at the site he never looked happy. The place did turn out to be pleasant and we were given lots of information and the managers son spoke good english.
del Italia, Via Vicinale Castagnaro, 1, 80078 Pozzuoli NA, Italy
We spent the afternoon quietly and getting prepared for our trip to Naples.
Naples
13th September 2019
I have heard it said that you either love or hate Naples. It has also been described as hard core Italy. Well back in 2009 we stayed close by but decided not to venture in, now it was time to see what all the fuss was all about.
After getting some instructions from the man at the Sosta office we walked about 900 metres to the train station, bought our ticket and when the train arrived hopped on towards Naples. The station it brought us to was in the centre of Naples but not the main central station.
It would be a long day but a successful one. Below are some of the highlights.
Archeological Museum – €15 entry and worth every bit. Many of the displayed pieces have cone from Pompeii and Herculium.
Pizza for lunch – Naples is the birthplace of pizza and has the reputation of the best pizza in the world. An outside cafe eating pizza with beer in Naples, we were not disappointed.
Haircut – I have been looking for a barber as we have travelled and finally down a side street we saw a old fashioned barber shop. A bit shorter than I expected but it will grow again, what’s left of it.
Strolled the backstreets – We read that the lower apartment have doors and windows directly out on to the streets with many leaving them open living both inside and outside. It was strange to walk past someone’s flat and look straight into the living area.
Gelati – How on a hot day could you go past a gelati stand.
Key cut – After misplacing a key to our bike lock we have been searching for a key cutter to get a replacement. Spotting a key sign with a arrow we soon found the locksmiths shop and he cut our key and sold us two split rings for 1€ , very cheap I offered him 2€ but he refused to take it. Aren’t locksmiths great people. By the way the key works perfectly.
Beer – To finish of the day we stopped at a small bar and had a beer as we watched the scooters and people passing by.
After a busy day we were back on the train and back at the Bunyip by 7.30. Needless to say a quiet evening and early to bed. And yes we did love Naples.
Naples, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy
Rest Day.
14th September 2019
After our busy day in Naples it was time to have a rest day. We caught up on the washing, sucked up the WiFi from the Sosta and caught up on the blog posts, did some reading and generally had a relaxing day. Tomorrow will be another busy day.
Yes a marmite / vegemite city. We loved the earthiness too.