On the last day, part of the group traveled to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli. Many of the excavations and sexual artifacts at Pompeii and Herculaneum can be found here, by visiting the secret room (camera segretta). We walked up part of Mt. Vesuvius—the views are breathtaking. I remind myself to reread Emily Dickinson’s series of volcano poems!
On the last night we went to the hotel’s Spa Marine Wellness Centre for a relaxing massage. At the hotel restaurant, Vince is astonished by his zuppa di clams and inquired with Gennaro about how it’s made. Minutes later Gennaro whisks him into the kitchen where the chef demonstrates his technique. Vince returned to the dining room minutes later, donning a chef’s hat while the room explodes in laughter. The next day we said a sad goodbye to Vince and Susan, who were staying several more days at i Fornari, a beautiful farm in Salerno. Did the trip really have to end?
You see, Italy is a very romantic place with or without a proposal. Douglas did propose a few weeks later on the beach at sunset on Ocracoke Island, but that is another story to be told!
A view from the Gardens of Augustus. Photo: © Douglas Jon Emilio
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