Okay, finally. Rome and Naples. Here we go.
We got up for Rome after the night of dancing and crazy picture taking, anndd Kyle was a bit sluggish. Think a few of us took an incredibly necessary nap in the van on the way from Civitavecchia into Rome. First stop on the tour was the Colosseum and some of the old forum ruins. We've been to the Colosseum before, but it's still so imposing and impressive every time we see it, and there's nothing like going inside and seeing the scale of everything again.
We had planned a sort of walking tour for the group that hit on a few of the main sights, so after the forum, we walked along the main drag, checked out trajan's market, then took some backroads to the ever popular trevi fountain.
This was our third trip to this awesome city, but just our second time to see the trevi fountain. The first time we were in Rome was on our honeymoon and we took a trip out to the fountain on our first day in the city. Now, obviously we were a little tired but our tiredness was made even worse by the fact that there were literally one thousand and twenty people at the fountain. And the square with the fountain is as big as a basketball court. And everyone is trying to take pictures while they throw coins in the fountain. And there are all these little chains that restrict your movement among the steps. And...well it's just a crazy environment, but it truly is a spectacular fountain. So obviously, we were a little worried about the crowds, but def excited to see the fountain and square again.
After the fountain, we walked on down to via del corso and on over towards the pantheon but not before we got some pizza along the way.
Quite possibly our favorite thing in Rome is chilling at a cafe and just relaxing outside on a quaint street. But our second favorite thing in Rome is getting a big slice of pizza, folding it in half and eating it while walking around the city. And that's exactly what we did as we were headed to trinity college pub. Turns out, the pub wasn't open yet so we just sat on the front porch eating the goods.
By the way, we just kind of breezed past that. Let's repeat.
The pub was closed. This pub was our first stomping ground when we get into Rome on our honeymoon. Our first beer in mainland Europe was at this pub. Last summer, with Kyle's parents, we met a dude from Ft. Worth who went to OU and now works in Saudi Arabia {we obv have quite a lot in common} at this bar while he was staying for a few weeks at his aunt's place just outside Rome. So, we have a lot of ties to this pub and we were excited to make some new memories with the Dulleas.
Alas, twas not to be.
Anyways, we went on to the pantheon and then hopped on over to the piazza navona. Pretty much everyone was friggin' hot and tired soooo we decided to grab a beer at a cafe along the piazza. There were misters dropping golden waves of miraculous mist via beautifully oscillating fans. Ahh, so nice.
We got picked up by our tour guide and then dropped off at the Vatican. We did all the usuals in the museum and then made our way to the capella sistina to view more wonders of michelangelo {much less crowded with much more respectful people, this time}. Then, when we're all through, we decided to fake our way through the group exit towards the basilica. This little magical exit takes you through the back alleys of the Vatican and into the basilica without waiting through the lines in the front. A thing of beauty.
{our illegal picture}
The basilica is truly amazing. One of our three favorite churches that we've been in {St. Paul's and Sagrada Familia being the other two}, and we decide to do something we haven't done yet and head up the million stairs to the top of the basilica. Nic and Cam wanted to do it as well, so we headed up the windy, steamy steps to a crowded crows nest for an amazing pic of the city.
That was pretty much the end of our time in Rome. The evening was relatively uneventful compared to the previous...which was probably a good thing for everyone. Especially the ship's photographers.
Next morning, we awoke with anticipation of a great day. Why you ask? Well, because last summer we went to Naples and had the best tour of our life with our tour guide Paolo. This guy has some crazy stories but he is just so personable that you can't help but like him. He pretty much treats you like part of his family while you're with him.
But, thing is, we were a bit nervous to actually meet up with him again because we had been talking him up so highly to the Dullea clan. How funny he was, his funny sayings, his typical italian accent. He had a lot to live up to. We had also been talking about how he says "consider that..." before he says any kind of fact about the area, and were hoping that he hadn't lost that gem from his tour guide repertoire.
So, as we walk off the ship, recognize Paolo and get reacquainted, there's plenty of evidence that it's gonna be a fun day. Exhibit A, our first conversation:
Joe: So Mister Paolo, you gave Layne and Kyle a tour here last year.
Paolo (quickly turns): What did I do wrong?!?
Us: No, no, nothing, we just had so much fun that we wanted to have you guide us again, with them.
Paolo (recognizing us): Ah yes, I remember now. You taught me to say, hm what was it? Oh yeah, "that's what she said." {general laughter} Oh yes! And butterface.
Callan: Butterface?
Paolo: Yes, yes! Like, "Everything is nice, butterface!"
This was gonna be good.
We get out of Naples and to Pompeii straight away, took about 30 minutes. During this trip, he said the words "consider that" approximately twelve times. But who's counting. So we get to the ancient city and take a look around the complex, similar to what we did last summer. This time though, we actually went up to Paolo's hometown, Vico Equense and got some glorious pictures of the coast. Paolo actually made a habit of taking pics of the group for us which was awesome of him.
After the journey to the other side of the Sorrento peninsula, we roll up in Positano {quite possibly our favorite place in the world}. For real, this place is so naturally beautiful, so unbelievable. It's one of those places that you just don't get until you see it in person. Pictures do not do this place justice.
After walking up and down the stairs of the town, we worked up quite the appetite, and let us tell ya, the lunch that we were about to partake in, we've been dreaming about it for about 6,888 hours {again, who's counting}. Seriously. We went to the same spot based upon Paolo's suggestion last summer, and pretty much as soon as we finished that meal we wished we could rewind and do it again. So of course, we told Joe and Mar that we had to go to this place.
Finally, the moment was here.
We get to the restaurant {another thing that we had been talking up so much} and as soon as everyone sees the view, they basically begin to weep. We walk down the steps, past the herbs and veggies that we are about to eat and take a seat at our table. Almost immediately, table wine is brought out and opened up for us {remember how much we love table wine?} and were swooning. This restaurant is family style with a bunch of appetizers coming out then a bunch of pasta coming out next. The apps were stellar. The pasta was ridiculous. If we actually tried to describe the food, it might actually detract from what the pics show, so we'll let them speak.
{the view from our lunch table}
Dessert came on out and everyone indulged, natch. I mean, how could you not? Light, fluffy. Creamy, rich. So good. Anndd of course, after dessert came the limoncello.
Last year {if you're a regular reader, you'll remember this}, we had the same treatment. Despite our best efforts, we just couldn't stomach the italian lemon-everclear past time. But, I guess we're just becoming more italiano, because we both actually enjoyed the limoncello this time. Before, we described the "schnoz" as being "purely wretched." My how things change. We actually may end up drinking the free bottle that we got from Joe Banana's this time.
{the cook. mama}
{are paolo and mar dancing...?}
Back in the whip, everyone's asleep, tummy's are super full. We make our way to Amalfi, score a bad-a old map of Italy, then make our way back to the ship. But not before one last detour to a magnificent overlook of the coast. We get up to Paolo's secret spot and, making small talk, Mar starts talking about a story from last summer that we told her that involved Paolo {remember, he mentioned to us that we could stay the night with his g-ma, but "she makes nighttime air emissions like the queen"}. As she is trying to bring the subject up, Paolo doesn't really get what she is saying but fully understands that Mar is talking about his grandmother.
Mar: Yeah, Kyle and Layne told us about how your grandma toots at night.
Paolo {stunned that she's talking about his g-ma, bucking up because he's defensive, and unaware of what 'toot' means}: My grandmother what!?
Mar: Oh nothing, nothing. She just toots at night.
Us: Toot. She toots. Like she farts.
Paolo: Ooohh, like an alfonso!
All: Alfonso??
Paolo: C'mon, you know. Alfonso. PFffffffff. Like when it's a very quiet fart. See, I have names for the farts. The quiet ones are Alfonso because it's like, Allfoonnsssssssoooo.
We all immediately realize he has given a name to the SBD. He goes on to describe the Pascuaaaall and the Rrrrroberto. Just try to guess which farts those describe. And probably the funniest part of this all is Paolo's typical high pitch squeaky italian accent.
{during the conversation}
The drive back was sad because we now know that we don't have a cruise to look forward to next year where we might see Paolo again. It's funny because at this point he's so comfortable with us that he's just telling us random stories about some of his clients, but some of these stories are not really resonating with us. I mean, he's here talking about bidets, handkerchiefs, perfumes, etc. Just random.
Funny thought though, Layne was asking Paolo if some of his clients ever annoy him, or what are some of the weirdest questions people ask. Paolo went on to describe some very weird people and some no-brainer questions. Funny enough, soon after all this, Mar asks Paolo straight up if some of the tour de france is raced along the Amalfi coast.
That for sure will be something Paolo tells his other groups about. He was nice about it though. "Well actually, it's just only in France, but we do actually have a very big cycling race here." Way to play it off, P.
We get back to boat and say goodbye to our dear friend. He actually took the time to get an espresso with us afterward and show us all the true italian way to take the drink {good thing too, because the day before, in Rome, we went to taza d'oro and got some espresso. we thought it was terrible but it was because we weren't doing it right}. We will be back though, and we'll look him up.
That night we decided to have a shuffleboard competetion. The teams lined up as follows: Layne and Joe. Kelly and Nicole. Mar and Kyle. Cameron and Callan. Needless to say, Layne and Joe won. Perfect combo of manly prowess and dainty finesse. Mar and Kyle failed miserably. Almost got skunked. C&C also failed, but in less spectacular form compared to M&K.
We went on to the casino where we lost our kids' college funds {sorry kids}. We thought we were gettin' hot, but we never really did. Just got lukewarm. Pretty much same story for everyone, except Mar had a good time at the tables. Tell ya, the casino is just a place to throw your money away and then get tossed out the door like garbage.
But bringing it all back around, we decided to hit up the irish pub on the boat and lo and behold, there's a country crooner singing his little pipes out. We sit down and lend an ear, and then someone makes a suggestion that K&C play some tunes. We take up that gitfiddle and we got that whole pub a-rockin'. Our grand finale was In the Air Tonight and there wasn't a dry eye in the place. That boat was bouncing up and down from all the foot stompin'.
Next day, day at sea. Chillin' to the max. It was a great way to end the cruise with the family, and we wish we could go back and be there with them right now. Next summer, maybe??
By the way, if anyone needs some cruising buddies and wouldn't mind picking up our tab, we'd be happy to join!
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