isn"'''IIiiiSNIsn't this a great picture of Phyllis leaving Naples Harbor with Mt. Vesuvius in the background? Ten years ago we visited the Amalfi Coast but she got sick and we were unable to visit Naples or Pompei. We made up for it this time and after our tour of Pompei we found a little family restaurant on a narrow side street of Naples and we let the diet and fitness go to pot! Linguini and vongole, gelato and a bottle of Chianti!
When Pompei was uncovered after 1700 years under Vesuvius' lava, an impressive advanced society was found.Here are evidence of beautifully done frescos and a very "modern" public (his and hers) baths with an amazing system for creating and capturing steam. Our guide was fond of saying, "there is nothing new..the Pompeians were doing it before Christ."
When Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD it is believed the city of Pompei had 50,000 citizens and it was some number like that who died covered by volcanic lava and choked by the poison gases. Archeologists found bodies petrified in the lava and they were able to make plaster casts like this one that captures the individual's final position. There are many evidences of accomplished tile and artwork like this front door greeting that warned "Beware of Dog"
Here is the main courtyard of the City of Pmpeii where people gathered and business was transacted. That is Mt. Vesuvius in the background and maybe you are as surprised as we were that it was so far from the city.
Our cruise up the west coast of Italy Sunday morning was romanticized as we passed close by the Isle of Capri.
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