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Sunday 19th June 2011
Sorrento to Pompeii
Short ( in theory ) drive from Sorrento to Pompeii where the campsite is within two minutes walk of the ancient city. However we had not factored in the fact that what seemed like the whole population of Naples had decided that it would be a good day to go to the seaside. Even though we were headed toward Naples the ensuing chaos affected traffic flow in both directions. Particularly fascinating were the scooters and motorcycles that wove in and out of the congested traffic at speed often missing oncoming vehicles by inches.
Normal traffic rules do not appear to apply here. In one spot traffic joining from the right and turning left across the carriageway appeared to assume right of way and when challenged by me edging forward prompted much waving of hands and abuse. The queues were so long we suspected that some of the people would only reach Sorrento late that evening when those already there decided to leave. Parking ? anybody’s guess.
After lunch on site we made our way to Ancient Pompeii’s entrance and equipped with audio guide climbed the hill to the Porta Marina.
The eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79AD buried the city in 6 metres of ash and cinder preserving the city but killing its inhabitants. The scale of the city and the heat of the day (30+) meant we needed to pick our route carefully, even so we spent several hours wandering amongst the ruins. The remains shops, baths, theatres and houses give a very good idea of how life was lived in a first century Roman city – quite fascinating
Monday 20th June 2011
Mt Vesuvius and Herculaneum
Outside the campsite we ( except Max - heights involved ) climbed aboard the Vesuvius bus for an excursion to the crater of Europe’s only active volcano. Described by Goethe as “ this peak of hell which towers up in the middle of paradise” it dominates the skyline above the bay of Naples. It last erupted in 1944 destroying five villages - fairly minor damage compared with the eruption that destroyed Pompeii in 79AD. Given that it is only a matter of time before the next 'big one' I think it unlikely having seen the traffic chaos yesterday that Naples a city with a population of approximately a million
would be able to evacuate in time even given the estimated fortnight warning they hope to get.
At the entrance to the national park we alighted and boarded a mean looking 4x4 Mercedes bus for the ride to the summit. The boys enjoyed the bumpy ride that snaked up to a turning area and drop off point a 15 minute walk from the edge of the inner crater.
We walked the path on the edge of the crater and back checking out the smoking giant, hoping it wouldn't blow anytime soon. Then returned to the drop off to be picked up and return to base.
After lunch a short train ride to Erculano the modern town where the remains of Herculaneum lie. This seaside Roman town was also destroyed by the 79AD eruption but suffered differently to Pompeii being buried by mud and lava better preserving the buildings. A smaller site than Pompeii but equally facinating.
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Liz
non-member comment
Pompeii
Great post, really enjoyed reading it. The pictures are great too! During one of my visits to Italy, we spent one day at Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius and Herculaneum after time in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. It was mid-December and pouring down rain. It was cold and dreary. Although our pictures were not as good as these, for some reason the weather seemed very fitting for the sites. The water made the walk around a little slippery though! Thanks for sharing Liz-CoolProducts