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A long and eventful day in the port of Naples!

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Did you know that Sophia Loren grew up in the slums of Naples? Did you also know that the great tenor Carusa was also from Naples? There is quite a bit of history in the city of Naples. But, it's actually mostly famous for some unique "attractions" just outside of the city. One of these is a beautiful, picturesque region called the Amalfi Coast. It is one of the most scenic areas in the Mediterranean. Sorrento is a seaside resort that is home of the legendary sirens who tried to lure Odysseus onto the rocks. We walked along the narrow and steep streets of Sorrento and stopped at a small restaurant to enjoy a cup of coffee and some delicious pastry.




Another famous city in the area is Positano, where John Steinbeck lived. Our day tour included having a delicious lunch at a very fancy hotel. We even had champagne on the balcony, with a view of the bay.



I have to admit that even though I was excited to go to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento and Positano, I was really, really excited to go to our next stop which was Pompeii! Did you know that Pompeii and another local town, Herculaneum were both recovering from an earthquake in 63 AD when disaster struck again with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD? The 20 feet of ash that covered Pompeii did provide a safe "tomb" until archaeologists discovered the site in 1748. It is amazing to see the well preserved wall paintings, store fronts, forum baths and beautiful mosaics that adorned the floors of the town's upper class.





This picture shows a "fast food" store. The big clay pots held stew or other meals so that someone coming through town could grab a quick meal.


These pictures show impressions that were made by pouring liquid plaster into the hollows left by the disintegrated bodies. These "bodies" show us what the people of Pompeii were doing in their final moments.




This was such an amazing and exhausting day! My poor, dear, sweet husband got the raw end of the deal, though. It was almost impossible to roll my Inogen around the streets of Pompeii and he ended up carrying it most of the time! So, when we got back to the boat, we both took a much needed nap. In fact, we didn't even bother going to the dining room for dinner and ordered room service instead!


Thanks for reading!
Annette

4 comments to A long and eventful day in the port of Naples!:

Bonnie aka bballmom said...

I love your stories and getting to read about your adventures. Thank you for sharing them with all of us.

Jacqniel said...

I have always been facinated by Pompeii! How fun to actually be able to see it!

Sue "T" said...

Hi Annette,
I had to take a break from "our trip" hehe. But, now I want to follow in your footsteps and learn more along the way.
It is amazing to learn about where Sophia Loren came from and Carusa.
Walking along the streets of Sorrento and having coffee and pastry, when you both were sitting there, did you have to pinch yourselves to realize that you really were experiencing the trip of a lifetime and getting to know so much about so many different countries. I would have been awe struck.
In Positano, having an amazing lunch at a fancy hotel and having champagne on the balcony, with a view of the bay. First, all your pictures are so beautiful and as I said before, the way you describe it, I could close my eyes and feel the breezes on my face and the bubblies tingling my lips.
My father went to all of these places when he was in the navy. He loved every place he went. Being a cute young soldier, when they went into port on leave, he absorbed all the architecture and the sites. Not always the women, hehe.
I could go on and on, but I am just going to read somemore and look at the beautiful pictures and yes, Rod looks "pooped" to the max, poor guy. Those gosh darn cobblestones really took its toll on the Inogen, so its a good thing you both napped and called in for dinner.
Many hugs and blessings,
Sue :-)

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