Napoli is amazing

I am having an amazing time in Napoli. I had my first full day in Napoli and it was brilliant. I went to the Palazzo Reale first thing with a girl from Montreal - it was so beautiful. The palace is so richly decorated and there are so many beautiful rooms. But I didn't have too much time as I had to make it to the National Archaeology Museum to meet a couple from Australia. The museum was great - again, so much to see. There were amazing statues, beautiful artefacts in pottery, bronze and glass that were preserved in the eruption of Mt Vesuvius, and the most popular exhibits of the plaster casts of the deceased and the stunning mosaics. I was so stunned by the variety of items that were preserved - it is very rare for so many beautiful pieces to be preserved in complete form.

After the museum, I was on a mission to find pizza. I had been in Napoli for alnost two days and still hadn't eaten the famous pizza. So I went to a smal pizzeria and had the lasagna pizza and it was amazing! The crust was thin but so tasty and the toppings were tomatoes, mozzarella, ricotta cheese and prosciutto. It was so rich and flavourful and I loved it! It was worth the wait but now all I want is more. At least I have another day in Napoli so I can fill up on authentic pizza.

Then I had the afternoon to myself. I went to the Museum of San Gennaro and saw the beautiful religious pieces and vestements. It was alrght but was mostly filling time until I could go to Napoli Sottarraneo. That was by far my favourite thing I have done within Napoli. Underneath 70% of Napoli is an underground "city" which was built by the Greeks (extends for 400 km). It was later used as an aqueduct for 2000 years before it was used to hold garbage (yes, they have always had problems with their garbage disposal) and then house residents during the war. I was so intrigued by the site. It exists 35 meters below the modern city and is so dark and humid. There is a guided tour which takes us through the site and through the corridors to the wells and rooms. It was so beautiful and so grimy... what I had imagined Napoli to be like. There was a corridor 100 meters long and the width of a person which we went through with candles as there are no lights. It was so great and shocking that not many people know about it.

Then I made my way back to the hostel and made my own dinner - it was actually pretty good. Pasta, tomatoes, salami and cream cheese. Yum! I am pretty tired as I feel like I have not had any time to just relax and not be running around from one place to the other. So I not sure what I will do tomorrow (other than find pizza) but it may involve absolutely nothing! I do have to prepare myself for Roma!

I will keep you posted! Love, Lisa