Rome with Noah, Troy and Momma: Naples and Pompeii

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Thursday, December 29, 2016 - Naples is over two hours south of Rome so we had to get up very early to make our 7:30am bus departure. That was fine. We had slept late the previous morning due to jet lag and gotten to bed pretty early the prior evening after touring the Colosseum that afternoon. We were ready.

This tour is the UNESCO Site: Pompeii Day Trip from Rome (https://www.grayline.com/tours/rome/unesco-site-pompeii-day-trip-from-rome-5879_91_12130_1839/). The 2+ hours drive south is on a very nice tour bus and ours was not crowded at all. While we could have slept along the way, there really was a lot of beautiful Italian countryside to see as we drove down the Highway of the Sun. You would miss many great pastures, vineyards, Roman villas, country homes and more if you slept along the way. Stay awake and see the sights.

Naples was our first stop. I was impressed at how our huge tour bus managed to navigate through the tiny, tiny roads that looped through the center of Naples. We stopped briefly at one hilltop for a view of the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. It was an almost clear sky day; windy and chilly, but with clear skies. We were high above the shoreline when we stopped for photos.

Momma with a view of the Gulf of Naples and Mt. Vesuvius on the far right.

Me with my wind-swept hair and Mt. Vesuvius and Momma taking a photo.

Momma's photo of Mount Vesuvius

We stopped next for a traditional Italian lunch which was very well done. The venue was impressive with its towering ceilings and Italian countryside murals. The food was plenty and delicious. We were impressed. After that, our bus took us on to Pompeii which is practically just on the other side of Mt. Vesuvius.

We had easy entrance and plenty of time to walk through the excavated ruins. Although we probably did not get to see half of what was excavated, we were still very happy with what we did see. The city streets, businesses and homes were so very well preserved - I could practically see the original residents walking around this bustling city on their many errands and excursions. Seeing an original Italian city that was destroyed in less than a single day after having been buried under about 20 feet of volcanic ash and stone and undisturbed for 17 centuries makes you see how quickly things can change yet how much stays the same.

Streets of Pompeii

Pompeii

Pompeii with Mt. Vesuvius in the distance

Pompeii

Artifacts of Pompeii. There were some body casts here as well,
but I could not make myself photograph them.

Our return trip to Rome was almost uneventful. Most of the trip is in the dark so we could not see any of the surrounding countryside (glad I stayed awake during the morning commute). We had a good bit of excitement about halfway back to Rome when we had to stop the bus for one of our tour attendees who had something like an epileptic fit. They called an ambulance who met us and examined her but eventually let her remain on the bus and us continue on our way. It was a very odd couple. I had not seen it, but I later learned that her counterpart had made her walk most of Pompeii with no jacket (and Pompeii was very windy and very chilly). Some other ladies on the tour had loaned her gloves and jackets while walking through Pompeii. I hope she got out of that relationship as soon as she could.

Our next day was spent at Vatican City with the Pope.