We departed Hong Kong just after midnight, so it was the 12 September 2013. We don't usually have issues with flights - we are very lucky travellers, but this time, we did. Our plane needed to be changed (sounds like a nappy situation?!), so while waiting at the gate, we were asked to move to an alternate gate before boarding (putting us behind schedule). Unfortunately, we had to walk most of Hong Kong airport to the new gate (if you haven't been there - it's a REALLY long way). Then we boarded buses to take us to the tarmac (in the crazy wind) to walk up stairs to the plane - how archaic for Hong Kong, one of the best, upgraded airports in the world. We were quite shocked.
This was also the first time we had travelled with Cathay Pacific to Europe - we always fly with Cathay to Hong Kong as they are Hong Kong's airline and have new airbuses where we get two single seats (window) to ourselves, and everything is new and comfortable. Well, this seemed like a bad idea... we were on an older plane (although still lucky to have two single seats at the window alone). We had zero leg room and nowhere to put our things. This was NOT ideal for a 13 hour flight to Rome overnight. Never again!!
Anyway, after a very uncomfortable flight with typically broken sleep (especially as Nick always sleeps less than I do), we made it to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) Airport. What a complete DUMP! I mean we have seen some really poor airports in big cities like Rome, but this was truly vile. Again, we had to walk down stairs in the wind to the tarmac and don't even get me started on the toilet situation. I won't continue to bore you, but we then had to find the train terminal to catch a train to Rome Termini (the central train station) so we could then catch our next fast train direct to Naples... not easy. Someone really needs to better explain the rules of these Eurail Passes. We have used them (across multiple countries) before, but at one stage further on in our trip, the train inspector tried to fine us 50 euro for a mistake written on our pass by a train service employee - I yelled at him until he went away. I am NOT paying for their inability to explain the rules... let that be a lesson to you all - argue your way out of these things and strongly research the Eurail pass rules so you know you can argue back if need be!
We had pre-booked a fast train from Rome to Naples (1 hr 10 mins), in first class, so we were there in no time at all. We had heard horror stories about Naples and crime given the area is very poor in places, and everyone had warned us to move out of the train station very quickly given there are many pickpockets (mainly gangs of children). Of course, given the reputation of Naples, we were very cautious (even carried our luggage differently to avoid theft), but it was fine. We zoomed out of the station to a "real" taxi (remember never to go with people offering taxi rides - always go to the taxi stand and take the next one in line).
Out hotel in Naples was one of two Palazzos (Palaces) I had booked in Italy both belonging to the King of Naples (who was married to Napoleon's sister, Caroline). This Naples Palace was their main residence. The hotel is absolutely beautiful, although more minimal than you can probably imagine. It is called Palazzo Caracciolo if you ever want to stay there, which I highly recommend (an M Gallery hotel): (http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-5565-palazzo-caracciolo-napoli-mgallery-collection/index.shtml).
Nick's family and their friends met us at this hotel (as we were only heading over to Italy for Nick's Mum's 60th Birthday). I had found the hotel online, so booked first, so we were lucky to get the basic room (cheap - I think it was about AUD$135 a night but non-refundable). We were the only ones with a terrace out of the whole group - it was clean, comfortable, had a bath, a mini fridge (that was more like a room temperature cupboard, my only complaint), and the BED was the softest we had ever had in a hotel (and the linen was fabulous). This is a GREAT hotel... on the outskirts of the old town. We stayed here only two nights (again, a very short time and unusual for us as we love to stay in new places a lot longer to indulge in the culture). We had never been to Naples, but we really enjoyed it...
This is a photo of the outside of the hotel (well, looking into the courtyard where we had breakfast every morning where the weather was spectacular)...
This is the view from our room of our private terrace....
This is our beautiful, clean room with the dream bed... (you will notice as we go that I LOVE to take photos of hotel rooms)...
This is Nick having breakfast in the courtyard one fine morning - a nice selection of European and other types of breakfast and good coffee :) It's a shame we didn't take any photos of the lobby and sitting areas inside as it was very grand and beautiful... I'll tell you about Naples (in 2 short days) on the next page....)
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