Pompeii

Mt. Vesuvius exploded on Aug 24, 0079 and three days later, and 10 miles distant, the town of Pompeii lay under 21 feet of ash while its neighbor, Herculaneum, was incinerated then buried by super heated mud and lava. Of Pompeii's 18,000 people, only 2000 died a horrible death from suffocation. 1300 years later, in 1748, the first excavation was started. Today one third of Pompeii still lies under ash and dirt.

A Polish scientist discovered that there were gaps in the ash which he filled with plaster. When he cleared everything away from the plaster he discover human and animal bodies, unique decorations and evidence of daily life in Pompeii. What we see today is most often exact replicas of the buildings and artifacts from almost 2000 years ago.

Stepping Stones in the shadows at the intersection

Directions to Brothel

Bed in Brothel

We walked on their cobble stone streets where there is evidence of tracks left by chariots, and on stepping stones so you don't walk in the sewer water. It was a busy port city with gymnasiums, baths, homes, shops, offices, restaurants, theaters, brothels and of course the Forum where much of their laws were made and enforced. Mosaic floors were still evident in homes as well as painted walls of reds and blues, built in beds, cisterns, fountains, and cooking areas.

Forum

Mount Vesuvius

View of Naples from harbor

Isle of Capri

BTW - we found out at dinner last night that our scheduled stop in Amalfi had to be cancelled due to high seas. The only way to reach Amalfi from the ship was by small boats and the weather was going to be too rough for them so we moved on. The ship is docked in Naples. It is a beautiful city of 4 million people that stretches for miles along the Italian coast. The pier is in front of the old part of the city so we could see many of the ancient castles, churches and other buildings from the top deck. Across the bay is the Isle of Capri and behind it is Mt. Vesuvius and the Milky Mountains.