Naples, Sorrento and Pompeii

Naples, Sorrento and Pompeii

Another busy day with another early departure.  We drove through Naples and the many towns (which appeared to be just one big town) with some ordinary scenery until we came through a tunnel and there were the mountains, cliffs and incredible coastline of Sorrento.  Its one of those picturesque towns that appear to be velcroed to the cliff walls over the ocean and really pretty.  We stopped in the town square and had 1 hr to wander around on our own.  We immediately set out down the alleyways towards to sea.  This is the type of town we really enjoy.  Got to the spot where you could look down to the beach (40 metres below) and couldn’t see how to get down there.  It was the postcard scene of a little cove surrounded by black sand, deck chairs and bathing huts.  Very cute but you would be exhausted and sweaty after climbing all the way back up.

Wandered back to meeting point, checking out the little shops etc and went to a very early lunch.  1^st course was spinach & fetta cannelloni, followed by veal and potatoes and then the most divine little sponge cakes sandwiched together with lemon custard and absolutely dripping in a lemon cream.  Couldn’t believe something so rich could be so light and delicious and I (and everyone else) licked the lot up.

Back on the bus to Pompeii and the heavens opened and remained open for the rest of the day.  Pompeii was fascinating.  To think that a civilization that long ago had sewerage, water drains etc and to be able to see them even now is incredible.  The road system is something to behold and the house we saw was huge and beautifully decorated.  The entrance to a house was an Atrium which allowed the rain to come into what looked like a large pond, this fed into the underground water tank which serviced the house. Unfortunately due to the pouring rain we were all pretty miserable and only got to see a couple of things before calling it quits, plus our guide was just a little cranky hurrying us all the time.  One lady asked for the toilet and was told with the wagging finger and cranky voice ‘no pee pee’.  I exercised great bladder control for the day.  You really need a full day to explore and read the map to understand where you are and what you are seeing.  We couldn’t get the maps and instructions out due to the rain, although we did go into a bordello which still had some very graphic fresco’s .  Frescos were used as a ‘menu’ in all shops and markets and questionable places of business. Despite the weather we enjoyed today’s excursion although my nose is now running.