Vesuvius and Pompeii

In 79 AD Vesuvius blew it's top and wiped out 20,000 people. There are now 3 million people in Naples plus a significant number to the south and east. Apparently modern science has enough sophistication to give a week's notice of it's next eruption, and the plan is to evacuate the entire region. The locals we talked to have a healthy scepticism of the practicality of this proposal...

Tuesday 7th March seemed safe enough so we duly climbed to the crater.

Sadly the peak was shrouded in low cloud as we climbed so scenic options were somewhat limited. However, as we neared the top the clouds kindly parted slightly for the obligatory photos. 

Once that tick box was completed and a celebratory shot glass of hot chocolate quaffed, we zipped back down to the warmth of the bus and on to Pompeii. 

First, lunch. 

This was included in the tour price which was sensible as we wouldn't otherwise have paid for it. There were 2 options, pizza or pasta. The pasta option was particularly surprising as it tasted disturbingly similar to Watties tinned spaghetti, although that is being unfair to Watties. 

The pizza was better, notwithstanding it didn't have strong competition... 

Pompeii on the other hand was truly spectacular. 

Looking at the geography now it is not apparent that Pompeii was a major port city, as the sea is several km away. However the intervening land was pushed up by the eruption. Prior to that, the seashore was only a hundred metres or so from the city gates. 

Many visiting sailors would sell their wares then seek a bit of pleasure while in town. Few would have been able to read or even speak the local language so helpful symbols in the street guided them to the red light district, where equally helpful paintings explained the many options, much like a modern menu illustrated with photographs. Our guide seemed to take enormous pleasure from pointing out each one... 

Mary has a theory that the paintings were also of an instructional nature as she suspects some of the sailors may also ignorant of the mechanics... 

Being a family blog, we have omitted those photographs, but feel free to request private viewings on our return. 

As well as being inspired by their refreshing lack of inhibitions, Mary was also particularly impressed by the engineering, including piped water, fast food restaurants, and water catchments in each house. 

Like the archaeological museum, Pompeii is huge to the point of being a little overwhelming, and it is still an active site, so more is being uncovered every day.

 The crowds were not a problem, instead it made it easier to imagine the hustle and bustle of the city in ancient times. 

Truly spectacular...