The sky is falling!
Man what a day!! After negotiating the virtual suburb that is the Roman Termani to catch our early train to Naples and a local connection to Pompeii we found we then needed to walk 2km to the actual site. Strangely there were no sign posts but thank goodness for the elderly Italian gents that took to a shine to Lina.
We arrived not sure if we should get a guided tour or not. We checked out the book store at the entrance and found a comprehensive guide book for only €8 that included a really good map. Just as well too coz the office had run out of English maps even though it was only 10am. So with me navigating and Lina reading as we walked to each of the 50 odd points of interest we did a self-guided tour at our own pace. It made for a very long day - we didn't leave until after 5:30pm - but we saw everything Pompeii had to offer and saw it well. BTW along the way a guide we ran into told us the book we bought was put together by a number of the guides at the site and told his group that it was easily the best book to buy on Pompeii. We felt vindicated!!
Pompeii itself is something you read about and see tv documentaries but nothing can prepare you for what you see. It is literally an ENTIRE city that has been (and is still being) uncovered after the eruption of Mt Vesuvius. It basically had a mountain of lava and ash dropped on it pretty much instantly in 79AD. The preservation of what survived the initial impact is nothing short of miraculous. The whole city plan, the buildings, gardens, offices, remaining monuments and overall feel of the ruins gives such a clear insight to the way of life and in particular, the Roman social structure of the time it's like stepping back in time. Except, of course, for all the bloody Japanese that insist on walking across your photos of course but that should go without saying.
Another thing that had us scratching our heads in wonder was the size and logic of the place. I always thought of it as a bit of village at the bottom of a mountain but the length and breadth of just the city walls was a real surprise. Every street is paved and there are so many innovations the Romans invented still intact. Things like the bath houses, cisterns, plumbing, drainage in case of flood or heavy rain in the streets, artwork decorating walls, even entire homes (except for about 99% of the rooves). One thing I've got to criticize the Romans for though is their roads and floors. Sure they're cobbled streets and tiled floors but guys - do you think you could have got them remotely level?? Damn it's hard work walking on those things - they must have had the strongest ankles in the history of man.
They also had on display some real and some plaster moulds of the citizens uncovered in their death poses. An extremely odd experience to see the state of preservation and somewhat disturbing. Somehow it didn't feel right to take photos of their faces, which are still frozen in their death poses. Suffice to say the poor souls did not die in a peaceful way.
Anyway we loved the place and left feeling like we covered everything we wanted to in the ruins.
On the way back to Rome we stopped for some really good gelati, might even be the best we've had so far on the trip and due to our train's departure time we had to give up on the idea of pizza in Naples.
... after reading the Jackos' comment re the Pompeii museum in Naples, we now have 2 reasons to justify our return to Naples. BTW Jules, it's just how the Naps say "Hello and welcome to our 'fair city'!" to visitors. A bit like you Crow supporters :)
Back to it then... It was at this time that Lina told me she has a recipe for Lemon gelati at home! WHY hasn't she made it for me after nearly 5 years?! HMMM!!! We arrived back in Rome for a late feed and "watering". Turned in for the night feeling absolutely stuffed and looked forward to our tour of Rome the following day.
Go Power!!!
Steve & Lina
We arrived not sure if we should get a guided tour or not. We checked out the book store at the entrance and found a comprehensive guide book for only €8 that included a really good map. Just as well too coz the office had run out of English maps even though it was only 10am. So with me navigating and Lina reading as we walked to each of the 50 odd points of interest we did a self-guided tour at our own pace. It made for a very long day - we didn't leave until after 5:30pm - but we saw everything Pompeii had to offer and saw it well. BTW along the way a guide we ran into told us the book we bought was put together by a number of the guides at the site and told his group that it was easily the best book to buy on Pompeii. We felt vindicated!!
Pompeii itself is something you read about and see tv documentaries but nothing can prepare you for what you see. It is literally an ENTIRE city that has been (and is still being) uncovered after the eruption of Mt Vesuvius. It basically had a mountain of lava and ash dropped on it pretty much instantly in 79AD. The preservation of what survived the initial impact is nothing short of miraculous. The whole city plan, the buildings, gardens, offices, remaining monuments and overall feel of the ruins gives such a clear insight to the way of life and in particular, the Roman social structure of the time it's like stepping back in time. Except, of course, for all the bloody Japanese that insist on walking across your photos of course but that should go without saying.
Another thing that had us scratching our heads in wonder was the size and logic of the place. I always thought of it as a bit of village at the bottom of a mountain but the length and breadth of just the city walls was a real surprise. Every street is paved and there are so many innovations the Romans invented still intact. Things like the bath houses, cisterns, plumbing, drainage in case of flood or heavy rain in the streets, artwork decorating walls, even entire homes (except for about 99% of the rooves). One thing I've got to criticize the Romans for though is their roads and floors. Sure they're cobbled streets and tiled floors but guys - do you think you could have got them remotely level?? Damn it's hard work walking on those things - they must have had the strongest ankles in the history of man.
They also had on display some real and some plaster moulds of the citizens uncovered in their death poses. An extremely odd experience to see the state of preservation and somewhat disturbing. Somehow it didn't feel right to take photos of their faces, which are still frozen in their death poses. Suffice to say the poor souls did not die in a peaceful way.
Anyway we loved the place and left feeling like we covered everything we wanted to in the ruins.
On the way back to Rome we stopped for some really good gelati, might even be the best we've had so far on the trip and due to our train's departure time we had to give up on the idea of pizza in Naples.
Back to it then... It was at this time that Lina told me she has a recipe for Lemon gelati at home! WHY hasn't she made it for me after nearly 5 years?! HMMM!!! We arrived back in Rome for a late feed and "watering". Turned in for the night feeling absolutely stuffed and looked forward to our tour of Rome the following day.
Go Power!!!
Steve & Lina
posted by Steve & Lina at
9:25 AM
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