Returning to Rome

Time to end our trip around Italy.  Our rental vehicle served us well.  Some of the streets were incredibly narrow - especially heading to Pompeii!  But good to drop that off and be done with our travels as we had an incredible trip.  Now for just a couple of final moments in Rome before our return to SE Asia.

An Eerie Goodbye

I had remembered - not sure from Elementary School - or from The Magic Tree House series - the pictures of those who were buried by ash in Pompeii - and how the hollow pockets were refilled to create the casts of the last dying moments. 

Eerie. 

Sunset Over Pompeii

As the day came to an end, we had walked all the way through the city - what a cool experience to see the sunset over the ancient city streets of Pompeii.  We also had the opportunity to see the Pompeii Coliseum. 

And credit to Gabi for some great sunset photos as she looked to the skies - and tried out the new camera on her phone.  Great eye!

The Plaza of Pompeii

It was pretty wild to stand in the main plaza and see Mt. Vesuvius right in the background.  Thinking that we had just been on top of that mountain a few hours earlier. . . and thinking of the destructive force that was unleashed upon this Roman city two millennia ago. 

 Such a sight - Mt. Vesuvius in the background.

Of course, trying to get a family picture is worth an effort to start the new year. 

Pompeii - City Life

Wow.  There were mosaics - some which were incredibly well kept after centuries under the ash. 

It was also fascinating to think of a city that ground to a halt after a sudden eruption - and the scale of massive death.  What an eerie and bizarre experience.

We saw how the meals were served (stalls along the city streets) - and had to simulate the purchasing of hot food - and getting water from the public fountains - some which were so worn from the countless individuals who put their hands to take a drink.

 There were also, of course, the public baths. 

Such an incredible experience seeing some of the sights. 

The Ancient City of Pompeii

What great advice to get the tour of Pompeii and pay for someone to tell us the story.  It made it much more interesting and engaging - and we had a great tour guide.

Our tour started when we jumped off the bus from Vesuvius and made our way walking through the city.  Getting to see the chariot ruts in the stone streets and sitting in the amphitheater and hearing the acoustics while snapping some family photos was pretty cool.

On Top of Vesuvius

It was great to make it to the top of Vesuvius.  It was still mighty cold and windy.  Cool to peer into the caldera and into the area below.  What a stunning - if chilly - way to begin 2018.

Climbing Mt. Vesuvius

 To start our days near Pompeii, we made it to the ruins, found parking and then ended up getting a van up to Mt. Vesuvius.  It was quite foggy and chilly when we got there. . .but there were spots of clearing that gave us glimpses of the valley below.  If we would have know better - we could have driven up to the parking area and made the trip ourselves.  Oh well, the transportation allowed for us to make our way up.  Grandpa and Grandma did quite well, slowly making their way to the top and taking in the views as clouds cleared.

Driving South

To start the New Year, we made our way south to Pompeii and the area. 

For the evening, we had the chance to get some Italian pizza just at the end of the alley near where we were staying.  Authentic Italian pizza - took a bit of a challenge to figure out what "pepperoni" was - as it sure wasn't peppers - but nice way to start the new year.