Lions and Tigers and Bears (except there were no lions)

So it seems that I'm going for a bit of a Wizard of Oz theme. Well, if the Naples Zoo went to the great and powerful Oz, it would have asked for a makeover, some bug repellent, and, um, animals. All I can say is that last time I went to the Naples Zoo there was a giraffe. Now there is no giraffe, but in the giraffe area there is a giraffe sized hole in the ground. I hardly think that the grounds are being renovated. A few years ago the zoo was shut down. The animals were ill and were not being taken care of properly. I still think that it should be should down. I do not have fantastic zoom capabilities on my camera (although I love my camera--I just got it the other day and it is sooo pretty). I am actually that close to the animals. I could have touched a tiger if I wanted to, and I think that if that Emu or ostrich or whatever it is wanted to, it could have eaten me. It had pecked holes through the link fence. Link fence for a crazy creature like that? The only good thing is that it is a fun thing for little kids to do (on the downside, they weren't far from having their cute little fingers nibbled off). The kids don't know that it is a disgraceful zoo. They are just excited to see animals. Worth the trip if you live in Naples and don't have much else to do. Don't go out of your way to go to it though.

I'd Turn Back if I were You!

Castellamare: Also known as the Worst Beach Ever! When Aimie was here this week, we decided to go to Amalfi (a cute little coastal town on the Sorrentine peninsula). Got lost, kids got whiny, and we stopped at what looked from the road to be a really cool beach. Good rule of thumb--if you don't pay to access the beach, the beach sucks (as Grace put it, in an ever-so-ladylike manner). It was rocky and crowded, and had dangerous oversaturation of Speedo levels. Great view of the volcano though......Won't be doing that again!

Negombo Hydrothermal Spa, Ischia

This past Sunday Aimie (my sister who lives in England) and I went to the Negombo hydrothermal spa in Ishcia. Ishcia is an island in the bay of Naples. It is the biggest one, I think. Anyway, the whole area is a volcanic hotspot full of thermal pools. Negombo is a botanical park/spa on the coast of Ischia, complete with a private beach in a little bay. There are 20-something pools, including pools in caves, super hot and then freezing cold pools, and a Turkish bath (for those of you who do not know what a Turkish bath is, it is a room with steam that is 58 degress celcius. I was not even able to enter the room. It felt like an oven.). Negombo is a gift from God, as is my husband, Anthony, who kept all 3 kids all day long so that I could enjoy this little slice of heaven. The best part: the sea water had no creatures and no seaweed. I want to go back again, without the kids and with Anthony. Does anyone want to babysit?