Tarawa (CV 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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LTHOUGH NAPLES does not possess the large buildings and ancient Roman ruins that attract tourists to other sec- tions of Italy, the well preserved castle frighty situated on the waterfront is an impressive reminder of Spanish rule during the sixteenth century. Many sailors took the opportunity offered to see good Italian opera while we were in this fair city. While we were there the world-famed San Carlo opera house staged a performance of Rigoletto and also of Bal Masque. Other opportunities to see and hear famous continental voices were afforded to those who made tours to Rome. First and most prominent landmark off the fleet landing. Neapolitan cameo craftsmen are among the best in the world. The Umberto G H . Shoe erles long ago solv d PP'n9 durm b e H19 problem 9 dd weafher of Hot roasted chesinuis' The shop has the idea and variety ot a New Yorlr delicatessen , it not the fragrant aroma.

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The magnificeni' dome of Ml. Vesuvius forms a graceful background 'lo Naples, home of CINCNELM ' and 'lwice visifed by lhe Tarawa during our cruise. . HE CITY of Naples, cultural and commercial center of southern Italy, lies on the beautiful crescent bay which bears its name. To the west lie the volcanic hills known as the Fields of Phlegreus and closeby in the east, the 3,800-foot cone of Mt, Vesuvius placidly contemplates blowingits top. Originally founded by the Greeks in 600 B. C., the city has been conquered and held by the Romans, Normans, Aragons, Spaniards and numerous others. Finally, red-shirted Garibaldi, the George Washington of Italy, incorporated Naples into the United Kingdom of Italy in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Cameos, Barra gloves, and Borsalino hats were the best buys for the bargain hunting sailors. These items along with the usual assortment of bric-a-brac were bought in copious quantities for friends and relatives in the United States. Visits to the ruins of Pompeii, the Isle of Capri, and the village of Sorrento composed the .local junkets. Interesting sidelights of the tours were visits to the cameo and glove factories to watch the craftsmen at their intricate trades. Such watering places as the Snake Pit, Seaman's Club and the Trocadero will live long in the memories of all of us as dispensers of fine food, drink, and entertainment, especially Chi-Chi. Naples was honeycombecl wifh dimly li+, airless, side sireels where washing hung from iron-grilled balconies ancl slone pavemeni offered N +he only playground.

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rellei d momentary ff Sorrenl0 oqeri e brief Slap a for the Seasw' ' Every mile of fhe winding road 'lo ANACAPRI presented such maiesiic views as fhis P111 T IS JUST POSSIBLE that in the once popular song Isle of Capril' the lady sitting neath the shade of an old chestnut tree was none other than the beauty of the island itself, for surely there is no other island spot on the Mediterranean that possesses the enchantment and beauty of Capri. The shoulders of its cliffs are draped with a soft mantle of Italian greenery and its gentle hills rise and fall beneath orange groves and vines. Cliff garden vistas and villas with gay approaches create a happy air of human occupancy. Roads wind gracefully round hillsides and offer scenes that hold the traveler spellboundf Stately cliffs ring the island with the myriad variations and folds of a full flaring skirt. And on all but windless days White foam froths back and forth on the foot of the cliffs I like petticoat lace. The shoreline is studded with what must be hundreds of caves, the most important of which is the Blue Grotto. While some of the caves are hundreds of feet up the cliff sides the B-lue Grotto is right at the shoreline. There is no path leading to its single entrance and to enter you must do so by rowboat. Once inside everything takes on' almost unimaginable shades of blue. Living in the ordinary daylight world there is no such color to provide us with a familiar name. We therefore Hnd ourselves fumbling for words to describe the incredible beauty of the subterranean SCCIIC. First sight of Capri from the excursion boat gangway.