Pompeii at last

Sunday was probably not the best choice for visiting Pompeii, as it is a place that really draws the crowds.  Took an early train, the Circumvesuviana, a private line that hugs the coastline to Sorrento.  With hundreds of others got off at Pompeii Scavi (ruins), and joined the ticket line.  8 windows, but only 2 working – my impression of pretty average Italian service!  40 minutes later I was inside, and spent the next 3 hours wandering and looking.  They provide a very good map with adequate information about the main sites.  The town was walled, built beside a small river, and on a bit of a hill.  The excavations have been extensive, and though much of the place is not marked for tourists, you certainly get a good feel for what life must have been like when Vesuvius erupted in 79AD.  Since then there have been many other eruptions, the last in 1944, but none as devastating as that which buried Pompeii and Herculaneum.  Some interesting places uncovered:  the forum, several temples, a brothel, the public baths (complete with graffiti) and two theatres.

Having convinced myself that I was in no condition to do the climb on Mt Vesuvius, in a moment of weakness I bought a ticket and hopped on the shuttle bus that delivers you to the gates of the national park.  There you transfer to a 4WD minibus that bumps and winds its way up to the base of the last climb to the crater.  Then it is a steep walk for 800 metres to the lip of the crater, over rough stone steps and lots of loose gravel pathway.  Took me 25 minutes of wheezing to get to the top.  The crater is very deep, but not really all that spectacular.  There is still some steam venting in a couple of places (unless it is just special effects laid on by the park to thrill visitors).  Going down was much easier!

Was along day:  got back to hotel about 7.30pm; went out for some dinner nearby, and hit the bed early.  Lots of interesting history!

A selection of pics here.