Pompeii Amphitheatre 3.9.26
We have all read or heard of Pompeii. It represented a treasure trove for archaeologists as the city was buried under ash in AD79 on the eruption of Mount Vesuvius which remains an active volcano. It is our destination today and we have an early start for our day trip to avoid traffic and the worst of the queues, we hope. Our pick up is at adjacent hotel which has a proper coach stopping point. We then head out of the town by the inward route from two days ago with Roberta leading the group today, oddly telling us where she lives as we pass it. The group based in the hotel in Sorrento have a coach to themselves so the total group size needs two coaches – it is one of the largest holiday groups in which we have ever participated.
We park a short walk from the entrance to Pompeii and we are soon feeling very warm. Our guide Johnnie takes us around the edge of town and into the amphitheatre and from there our progress is steadily uphill from there. It is carefully planned and we cover more of the entire site than I was anticipating we might manage.
Roman Road Pompeii 3.9.26
We meet a real Roman Road. There are stepping stones as the roads were designed to carry the waste of the city downhill – mains drainage was along the main roads. The “stepping” stones are spaced to prevent carts entering the city – they only allow those allowed into the town to pass. Visitors were stopped outside and needed to use local vehicles to reach their destination – it is all about the money!
Fast Food Pompeii 3.9.26
We visit one of many little food outlets as it seems street food was important and these places provided food on the go for those passing by.
Internal decoration Pompeii 3.9.26
The vast amounts of ash also protected the internal decoration some of which can be seen.
Aqueduct Pillar Pompeii 3.9.26
Almost unremarked but important is the pillar above which once held the aqueduct bringing clean water into the town from distance, now adorned by a CCTV cameras. It is impossible within the photographs to indicate the scale of the site. Wikipedia advises that it is around 160 – 170 acres and was home to around 11,500 people (which I assume includes slaves). It was originally a port but it is now about 760 yards from the coastline. it originated in around 8th Century BC to serve Greek and Phoenician sailors steadily expanding inland until the Romans ceased extending in about 89 BC.
Forum Pompeii 3.9.26
At the highest point is the Forum and adjacent to that is the market area. In the market area they have casts of three of the bodies found in Pompeii to demonstrate how the inhabitants were overwhelmed by the falling ash.
It comes as a surprise to navigate the steps down to the entrance that we have gone up as far as we did. Lunch is in the adjacent hotel which rapidly delivers a large pizza. A bargain at €20 if you get the plateful of pizza (Jackie) but less so if you get the four pieces of stuffed pasta and feel hard done by! However it is indoors and much cooler so very welcome in that respect
Fontana del Gigante Naples 3.9.26
We are then driven into Naples and are invited to walk along the sea front prior to returning to our hotel.
Castel dell’Ovo Naples 3.9.26
There is the famous saying “See Naples and die”. I believe that I have not really seen Naples. It has a reputation for being a city beset with crime and consequently unsafe for visitors. I have no idea how true that is, but if there is a beautiful city in hiding then for this trip it remains hidden and somehow I doubt that a return visit is high on the list – but then who knows what the future holds. I believe we were shown most of the items detailed below but as we were on the coach obtaining photos was as always difficult.
At the hotel we take the dinner again but it has not improved. On both days the pasta starter course was reasonable but the turkey with lemon tonight accompanied by the same near inedible vegetables only increases the resolve not to eat in again if at all possible.
For the record the Newmarket description of the day:
Today’s included excursion begins with a visit to the awe-inspiring ruins of Roman Pompeii in the company of a local guide for a walking tour. Destroyed, and yet miraculously preserved, by the eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius in 79AD, Pompeii lay buried and forgotten for hundreds of years. it was rediscovered in the 18th Century, and since then excavations have continued to reveal more and more of this ancient, once magnificent city where the villas, temples and frescoed houses give a very vivid insight into Roman life.
From Pompeii you’ll journey around the bay, passing the brooding hulk of the famous volcano to one of Italy’s most colourful cities, the great southern Italian capital, Naples. Highlights of your guided panoramic tour here will include Garibaldi and Plebiscito squares in the UNESCO-listed heart of the city, with their fine statues; the San Carlo Opera House, second only in importance to Milan’s famed La Scala; and the Royal Palace. You’ll also take in medieval, turreted Castel Nuovo, and the spectacular view from Posillipo Hill, which rises up above the city, before you return to Sorrento at the end of a wonderful day.
