Trip 2 Day 6

Off early on the bus to Naples, where we were left to our own devices again to explore. More shopping and more food, and then the group prepared for the return to Rome. I farewelled them from here as I decided to stay on in Naples a little longer. I almost cried saying goodbye, I was tired, lonely again, and again on my own in a foreign city. Solo travel is isolating enough without adding the language barrier in to the mix. So many late nights drinking, so far from home, so tired, and hot... I felt on the verge of a breakdown. I had an underground tour scheduled for the afternoon, and a hike up Mount Vesuvius planned for the next day. I cancelled both, and instead I checked into a luxurious hotel. After the basic camp site and given the way I was feeling this was absolute bliss. The hotel was the Excelsior (http://www.eurostarsexcelsior.com/EN/hotel.html) and it was incredible. I had a long hot shower and then sat in my huge bedroom suite looking out french doors to the view of the bay, Castle Nuovo, and Mt Vesuvius. I checked my phone for my flight details back to Rome and suddenly felt sick. It had been cancelled. This was truly the last thing I felt like dealing with and I burst into tears. I called the airline who said they could put me on a later flight. This was not suitable, because of my international connection back to Melbourne. I raged and cried and - eventually - pulled myself together and came up with an alternative plan. The speed train. I booked a seat and in exhaustion, ordered room service. I just was not up to more language barrier experiences in a restaurant that night. It was fantastic. I sat on the bed, watched the sunset over the bay, eating fresh tomatoes grown in Vesuvius fertile soil, fresh basil and tender steak. Just what I needed. An early night followed.