Pompei

Awaking in Rome with thumping hayfever we realised that the right decision had been made to leave this magnificent city behind us and work our way south. We both knew that a trip to Europe would not be complete without a trip of a fast train and wow did it impress.

For an additional 16 euros (66 total) we had window seats of the 250km/h missile through the gorgeous Italian countryside to Naples. After only two hours of smooth rocket like travel we looked at each other with raised eyebrows at the next train to Sorrento (barely visible through the dirt and graffiti).

The great thing about the circumvesuvius train line is that you get a view of the great volcano Vesuvius. Sorrento was a hot rattling 1 hour + trip worth the effort. Perched on the hillside our campsite overlooked the Bay of Naples with a direct view at the volcano.

Our plan at this point was simple, take in as much as possible of the Pompei archeological site then climb the culprit in the afternoon.

Pompei - 21 May

Back on the rattler (narrow gauge circumvesuvius train) in the morning it took just under an hour to reach Pompei. We invested in a detailed and well illustrated guidebook to help us with our exploration. Proving very useful (at helping us trip over ancient broken lavarock paths) we wandered around reading the book out to each other in the glaring sunshine. The grid design street layout is well signposted for a 2000 year old city with huge steps and stepping stones for such small people.

Off the main drag there were numerous rooms and frameworks of houses with fireplaces, bedrooms and mosaic flooring. The better presserved homes of the wealth families even have the atriums, artworks, frescoes and skylights still in near perfect condition (give or take some ware and tear, small volcanic eruptions and 400 years of haphazard excavation). Camilla found it funny to pretend to play shop in the near perfect marbletop kitchen take-a-way shop.

After almost 3 hours of systematic investigations of each major relic and point of interest we ventured outside for a quick bite to eat. Mamma was sitting at the door calling our stomachs in for some homecookin, with zero reluctance our bodies followed. Fully satisfied in the small diner we had a new bout of energy to take on the other half of Pompei. After asking at the side entrace politely, begging, claiming ignorance, glaring and then finally being belligerent we overcame the one-entry-per-day policy (of which we were sincerely ignorant) and returned to the mission at hand.

As the day rolled on we explored the majority of the main squares, political building, chatted with other Aussies then decided we were completely full. The Pompei sight is such a unique experience where as amature adventurers we felt often like we were walking into someone's home. It was so sad to see the faces and casts of victims who were not quick enough to escape.

Relics are so well preserved it gives you the opportunity to see and better understand what their world would have been like. It is a shame (however understandable) that the pots, ornaments, jewellery and other small relics are not left in place as they were found. Most signficant finds are housed in the Naples Musuem or in lockup cages on site.

At the train station we were not only exhausted but 10 minutes late for the last bus up Vesuvius. Reluctantly we decided to leave the mission hear and return for celbratory drinks back at the campsite. Celebration you ask? Camilla is still less than half 50 years old. As youth slips from her grasp she gasps aloud over dinner "It's my birthday at home, I'm old!" before pouring a big glass (read plastic travel mug) of wine.

Based on simple calculations Camilla concluded that her birthda would be 32 hours long and therefore should be celebrated for the next 4 days. Steve agreed wholeheartedly as celebrations would include food, wine, upgraded accommodation and general relaxation. Iles of Capri here we come.