Italy: Pompeii

View of Mount Vesuvius from the train

The trip to Pompeii from Rome takes about two hours to Naples before changing to the local train for a further forty minutes. We were really surprised by how ghetto Naples is as we passed through it on the train. People were living in shacks and there was rubbish everywhere. Apparently the Mafia control the garbage industry (just like in Sopranos!), they haven't done a particularly good job. The garbage wars between different mobs has left the place looking pretty dire. 

Pompeii however is just beautiful. On a clear day the views are spectacular. You can take a guided tour, or you can just spend the day wandering around. We went for the second option. It was 79AD when Mount Vesuvius destroyed and buried much of the city of Pompeii. The lack of air and moisture did preserve many of the artifacts and of course, the people that died here.

We had no map, so it was up to Joe to navigate. I later found a map... in Italian, so it was still up to Joe to navigate. We're pretty sure we covered most of the area, although we couldn't find the glass case where you can view plaster casts of some of the people. The brothel was closed too which was a shame. 

In front of me was a small-ish stage

This was one of the few rooms with existing paintings and colour

I find it pretty incredible so much of the history survived through paintings, mosaics and other artifacts. They had big courtyards, amphitheaters and what would have been some pretty grand looking buildings.

You can see where the stone is worn from the carts used by the people of Pompeii

You can see some of the ye-olde stepping stones in the middle of the road

The baths have just recently been opened to the public

Large Amphitheater

You do find yourself walking for miles down one road only to come to a dead end (why don't they tell you at the start of the road?). Pompeii isn't exactly the worst place to get lost in though.

I was a little disappointed not to see the brothel. It certainly would have been interesting. Apparently it's lined with paintings of different sex positions and small rooms with stone beds.

We did see a few of the bodies in one of the buildings. I can't imagine what it would have been like to be there when this place was uncovered - seeing the bodies like this. Pompeii is still a favourite destination for me as a city frozen in time.

- Kate