Our Anniversary in Italia!

Part III - Sorrento, Pompeii and Vesuvius

Our final stop was Sorrento. A much bigger and busier

city then the previous two stops but just as beautiful as

I remember.

Here is a view over Sorrento from our hotel - that

is Mount Vesuvius in the background.

This is another wonderful view from the hotel pool -

Vesuvius just dominates the skyline.

The pretty garden at the hotel.

And this is my triumphant return to Pompeii.
I have to admit I got so much more out of it on this visit.
It was still unbearably hot and not a breeze to be had.
I am standing on the stepping stones that helped the
residents cross the streets. All of the liquid waste
from all of he houses and businesses was dumped into
the streets so they built stepping stones higher than the road
for obvious reasons. Yuk!


Pompeii was a dream come true for Derek. If you don't know
Derek is a huge history buff and could have spent the
whole time here. Pompeii was colonized by the Romans
in 80 B.C. Mount Vesuvius (in the background) erupted
and destroyed the city on August 24, A.D. 79. At the time of eruption

experts estimate the town had 35,000 inhabitants. It was really
quite eerie to stand in the center square and look up at the volcano. I can't
begin to try and describe this amazing place in such a small
space. Definitely Google Pompeii for more!



Here is picture of an ancient restaurant. The archaeologists

have found something like 80 of these. Even people back then

liked to go out!

This is near the ancient burial ground just outside the main city.

This is one of the most famous findings in Pompeii. It is

a large fresco on the wall of the dining room in the Casa dei

Misteri (House of the Mysteries). It depicts several

characters on a red background participating in a ceremony

thought to be related to the cult of Dionysus (Bacchus). This

house was built in the 2nd century B.C. and parts are still being

excavated.

These next two pictures are of casts of some of the ancient

people who died during the eruption. Look at how they are covering

their eyes and face to protect themselves from all of the volcanic ash

and dust.

The archaeologists found the skeletons in the original place where

the people perished and could build these casts from the ash around them.

This is the Amphitheatre, the oldest Roman amphitheater

in the world, built in 80 B.C., with seating for 1,000 people.

This is one of the public drinking fountains fashioned after

the goddess of the harvest.

Now it was on to climb Mount Vesuvius! I was not sure

how this would go since it was well over 90 degrees with

no shade in sight. Derek was determined and we work out - so

it should be fine - right?

The view on the way up...

Still higher....

And we made it!! This is the crater at the top.

Happy Derek - who was able to fulfill a childhood dream.

He used to read about Vesuvius in his National Geographic

magazines as a kid and dreamed of seeing it.

Some of the cool rock formations in the crater.

And what would a trip to Italy be without gelato!

We ate so much it was sinful. Good thing we climbed up that

volcano.

So, now it is time to say goodbye. We had an amazing trip

and I could not think of a better way to spend our 5 year anniversary!

If you want to see more picture from this part of our trip click on the link below.

http://www2.snapfish.co.uk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=240844727/a=47321137_47321137/fromupload=true/imagecount=101/videocount=0/t_=47321137

We hope everyone is well and miss you all!

Love, Leah and Derek