we are into day 2 of our 3 day excursion to naples and surrounds
yesterday - culture and today - nature - in all it's power and glory
starting with the glory we are up early and driving up mt vesuvius
this active volcano casts an ominous presence over all of naples
even musically with favourite italian group vesovo named after it
we take a long steady climb on a narrow sealed road towards the top
it's tourism mecca but fortunately our early sunday start is rewarded
not much traffic and early in queue for the taxi-bus to start of the hike
a few tourist buses already there so the path up is already being beaten
loose gravel and small rocks are underfoot on a clear path so quite easy
at the peak we go past the drinks and souvenir shop and take a first view
we are peering into the crater - it is deep, wide, calm (phew) and imposing
the views so high up back out to naples and beyond equally impressive
we are actually above the line of a few puffy clouds hanging around
the track then continues half-way around the crater to another shop
drinks and a few rock souvenirs are bought and photos are snapped
a moment's reflection on the time and place - this is quite unique
we then reverse our steps, our shuttle bus and our own drive down
time now to view the power of nature at work - the town of pompeii
we arrive an hour or so before afternoon opening so lunch is taken
pizza (why not) and a peroni beer (of course) and we then wander
first around the relatively modern town and large and open basilica
some quiet time in the cool there then we walk into the ancient town
in 79 ad the town was totally buried by ash from an erupting vesuvius
some bodies recovered centuries later in a macabre display at the entrance
which puts things into perspective as we then enter the old town proper
we pass by the amphitheatre that is closed as a concert is being prepared
david gilmour due to make an appearance and no doubt mixing in pink floyd
elton john due in a week or 2 later so this venue is understandably appealing
shame we can't get inside today but nevermind - there's plenty more to see
we are carrying a guide book that suggests a short-ish route of 2-3 hours
the crowds are in force today as we have struck first-sunday-free-entrance
hot too - but it all moves quite well as we move in and out of buildings
large free-standing homes, streets of smaller houses, restaurants, etc
there's been a huge effort by teams of archaeologists on this huge site
it's easy to imagine the lifestyle of the inhabitants over 2000 years ago
all quite indulgent it seems with public baths, theatres, etc recovered
the hours go by quickly and we only cover a fraction of the town
certainly a place to return to but for today we are hot and tired
a drive back to digs for a rest and cleanup and then - naples
we decide to spend some time in the higher suburbs of the city
driving into the city gives us more options with google maps
though tonight it has trouble delivering us to the palace
we park near a basilica and take a wander around the area
all quite run-down really - not a tourist area so neglected
we give up trying to find food and drive back to portici
not much choice at this late hour on a sunday evening
but a bar to the rescue - then home and sleep - what a day...
