Day 2: Naples/Pompeii/Capri

Day 2 was by far our busiest day...we decided (ok I decided) to head south to Naples, and because this wasn't a short trip, fit as MUCH in as we could in the area. We took a fast train from the Rome station at 7:00 in the morning and got to Naples at 8:30am. Just a tip for those planning on travelling to Italy, it pays to book your fast train tickets online before you go (saved us HEAPS of time)...and it also pays to check how much 'first class' is before settling for 'second'. Even though the difference isn't that big in terms of comfort (the train is nice and new wherever you sit)... it was a cool experience travelling down to Naples in 'first class' because we checked and it worked out that the ticket was cheaper than a second class one on that particular day. :) We arrived at Pompeii around nine and spent a couple of hours exploring the ruins of the city.

 It was amazing to think that all this existed so long ago, and was preserved because it was covered by the Volcanic eruption.

 This was the sports field with a swimming pool in the middle...

 ...and the mini version of a colosseum

 Thanks to some tips and our Lonely Planet guide, we heard that Naples had the best pizza in Italy! So once we'd finished at Pompeii we headed back into Naples to hunt down 'Da Michele' reportedly the best pizza in Naples...and therefore the best Pizza in Italy.
When we arrived there were HEAPS of people waiting around outside...you had to take a ticket (a bit like the deli at the supermarket) and wait till your number was called. Unfortunately the guy would come out and call the numbers in Italian, Hayden and I only knew up to 'three' and our number was '75'...we were in a bit of trouble! After waiting for ages and seeing no progress in the line (did I say line? I meant bunch of people waiting...there are no lines in Italy!) we decided to be brave and go and ask if we could get takeaway...

 Our bravery paid off and we found a step to sit on and enjoy the most amazing pizza ever!

 Flat base...loaded with delicious tomato based sauce, bazil and double mozerella... you had to fold the pieces to eat them and it wasn't stiff and thick like our aussie pizzas. It was so tasty!

 After eating on the run we dashed to the wharf to find a fast ferry to take us to the Isle of Capri. This is where the Italian rich and famous come to play during their summer holidays....

 Once we arrived we jumped on a smaller boat to take us on a tour around the island so that we could catch a climpse of the Blue Grotto...

 The water is SO blue...and such a bright blue...that it reflects up onto the Stalactites up in the caves of the cliff..

It was a big squeeze to finish the tour around the island and make it back to the last fast ferry back to Naples...but we did it! Then in order to get back to the train station to catch our fast train back to Rome we did the bravest thing ever!...
...Got in a taxi in Naples...
It was seriously SO fun! They have NO care...and just drive like maniacs...i'm talking crossing four lanes of packed traffic in the space of 5 meters in about 3 seconds to get us from one street into the train station...awesome!
We made it back to Rome and collapsed from exhaustion! Having fit all of that adventure into one day!

Roma! The REAL day 1...

Finally at 7:40am Italy time we made it to Rome! We got off the plane straight onto the runway (so no that doesn't only happen in Tassie!) and quickly learnt that people don't line up and wait in Italy...EVER! It was each for their own to get onto the bus that would take us back to the terminal!

As soon as we landed, I loved it...the warmth hit me like a blanket...but wasn't stuffy! The sky was blue, and the sounds of crazy Italians who talk like they are arguing all the time, but are just having a friendly conversation, filled my ears! First issue was trying to buy a train ticket into the city. But we figured it out...remembered to validate our ticket! and with all valuables locked and hidden, jumped on the train!

Our Hotel was located two blocks away from the train station, so after orienting ourselves we made our way there on foot, wheeling our luggage over the cobbled streets. We learnt a good life lesson on the way there....Italians don't care much for road rules...just like the line up thing, it's each for their own on the road as well!

Because we arrived at our hotel really early we weren't able to check in to our room till a couple of hours later....this sucked as I smelt REALLY bad...and had ankles the size of an elephant. Despite this we headed off for our first walk around Rome.

Rome is amazing! Everywhere you look there is History and Culture...it's just like you imagine!

One things for certain! They like the 'man on horse' statue...this was the first of many that we came across...

 Everything is so grand and large...and old! Here you can see the average water fountain that you find around Rome...you also get a glimpse of the cobbled road...

 Here's me on some random steps...check out my fat ankles!

 Finally after wandering for a bit we stumbled across this...

 Michaelangelo's magnificent Trevi fountain....

 I can't believe how amazing his sculptures are!

I loved the feel of Rome, it really 'felt' like Italy, with the shutters, and bikes and cars and laneways!

 This was the view from one of our Hotel room windows... we had shutters! wee:)

After getting into our hotel room, a quick nap and shower we headed out for some dinner.

 MYTH: all Italians can cook, and all Italian food is good italian food!

We stumbled across the closest resteraunt we could find (they are EVERYWHERE) it was a nice meal with a nice atmosphere (the Eurocup was on telly with Italy playing Spain)...but in all honesty I thought our first taste of 'real' italian food was average...so yes. Be picky! Hayden didn't mind it, but the burst of flavours that I was hoping for didn't come...but boy did we make up for it the next day!

Finally it was time to crash and sleep before our epic day 2 adventure!

On our way...

Ok after popular demand...here we are...on our way to a bunch of boring travel blogs! woo!

So... Day 1-3 & 1/2 ish was spent getting from Australia - our little town of Hobart - to Italy (or Roma to be exact). We left at 10pm Friday night, got to the Hobart airport nice and early, and sat hoping nothing would go wrong with our flight because if it did we would most certainly miss our international that was due to leave the next morning at 7:40am! We arrived in Melbourne with no trouble and after the bag people tried to trick us (by putting our bags on the wrong carousel) we were off walking in the Melbourne drizzle to the Formula 1 up the road.

Simone it took about 8 min to walk there, the check in was very easy and it was only cheap. The rooms were very simple... the bathroom was tiny. You wouldn't fit more than two adults and two children...and that would be a squeeze! But it was a quiet couple of hours rest before heading back to the airport at 5am to get ready for our flight.

We flew Cathay Pacific, which is about low-mid range in the sceme of possible airlines. It was a really good flight, the meals were great (and there were meals! unlike Jetstar or Virgin International) and we had our own individual entertainment system. Both Hayden and I enjoyed catching up on modern family!

We arrived in Hong Kong to face our 9 hour wait. Which was long...and boring...and we were very tired... but didn't give in to the salesman at the lounge who wanted to sell us a bed and shower for $100!

Instead we wandered around exploring..taking pics...

 Surfing on the free internet!... and stumbling across these day beds that were FREE! So we did catch a couple of hours shut eye on them!

I've never been to Hong Kong, and I can't really say I have been even now, given that we were too chicken to leave the airport. But flying in and over Hong Kong it looked really beatiful, vast high rise buildings sprawled across beautiful green mountainous islands.

Then it was back on the plane for the next gazillion hours from Hong Kong to Rome.

Another Bridport Spa...

I know I said this would be about Italy, but I forgot about this and it's a good follow on from the last post:)...What happens when you put too much soap in the foot spa!

Lost Farm Spa

I love holidays!

Mum and I hit up the Barnbugle - Lost Farm Spa at Bridport...Honestly...not as good as Cradle and more expensive, but still nice to relax and enjoy, and only up the road from the Briddo house!

Seriously how short is mum?!

Can't tell me off for that mum! well not for two weeks anyway...see you next post which will be all about ITALY!!

Arrivederci

A long time ago....

...and I mean forever ago...the Triffits came to visit us! We did lots of things, but one of the things that I captured on camera was our trip to Port Arthur...The kids found it very educational...especially Oliver...

 ...there were creepy men to have photos with...

 ...places to lock up your children...

 Logs to smash...

 ...and places to lock up the parents too!

 There were also beautiful gardens...

 (Gotta love Oliver and his manbag)

 There were tours to go on....

 History to learn...

 Great mobile phone coverage! Thank GOODNESS because Simone NEVER goes anywhere without checking the phone! We used to sing a song about her when we were little "there was simone, simone, talking on the phone, in the store...in the store..."

 ...more tours...

 Who said Flynn never looks at the camera?!

 ooh there's me!

 Here is Simone posing...

 It's all fun and games until someone loses a LENSE CAP!!

 Searching....searching.... "it's ok we'll get you another one" blah blah blah... (still waiting!)

 Beautiful Sarra...

 Beautiful Hallie...

 Beautiful Boys (Especially when sleeping)...

 ...and Beautiful me, writing this blog post.

end.