Macon (CA 132) - Naval Cruise Book

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Did your eye flicker inadvertantly to some item thrust under your nose? Shipmate, you were a customer. And woe to him who would squeamishly weaken and hesitate before walking over some enterprising individual who planted himself directly in your path with the winning I giva you gooda price. You probably found yourself later, looking mournfully over a mountainous stack of carved woodwork and conch shell lamps— and an empty pocketbook. Of course, there were the roving escort— Joes, the pilot fish who attached themselves to your party, at a strole or a jog, and unasked became a combination guide, in- terpreter-appraiser who would not be denied. Eventually, perhaps, you could rid yourself of his services; then, and only then, could you pause to catch your second wind and begin to look at Naples. Now, these characters— well, perhaps, it wasn ' t quite that bad, but you couldn ' t recall a more enthusiastic reception committee since we arrived in the Med. Hub of Naples, so far as most of us were concerned, was that glassed, canopied expanse of the Gallery of Umberto. The arcade formed an excellent landmark from which to launch further travels into the city. You will probably recall Naples best as the jumpoff point for several other tours. From here you could avail yourself of the MACON ' s well arranged tours to Rome, Vesuvius, Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri. Primary objective on your itinerary was the crator of Vesuvius, reached by bus or taxi and the funicular, Italian moimtain cablecar. Vesuvius itself, with the origi- nal cone sleeping silently to one side, was impressive in its brooding somnolence, and perhaps like no other single Italian item inspired a hearty respect— along with a fer- vent thanks for the lack of such a natural pressure cooker simmering in our own backyard. From the summit was the most magnificent view of the sweeping crescent of the Bay of Naples that could be seen anywhere. It was a panorama you will never forget.