Escape to myself

Well it was a four and a half hour trip. It could have been much less if we hadn’t dropped people off in Naples and taken an hour to get through the city. It’s a strange place and driving through the suburbs and centre didn’t inspire me very much. A trip through the docks was, I suppose, serendipity but not the sort I expected. However a stop to view the Bay of Naples with a very misty Vesuvius was pleasant enough. It was rather beautiful.

Arriving at Pompeii I was left to my own devices to wander and look around. It’s a great place. I hired an audio guide and had about three hours looking at the many houses and shops that were in the stone street. I saw the House of the Tragic poet with the Cave Canem mosaic. I was especially impressed with the well preserved Casa Della venere in conchiglia with its columns and beautiful frescos. What remains is a shadow of how the house must have looked in its prime. A great insight into the hustle and energy of an ancient city

The forum was also a beautiful space with its temples, basilica, fish and meat market … it gives a good idea of the civic and public space of the city. Grand and imposing.

It seemed remarkably quiet the day I visited which gave me plenty of opportunities to see everything. The two theatres were wonderful although as I hate heights climbing down the tiers took bravery. How people do the pyramids is beyond me. lol

The Lupanare or Brothel

Explicit frescos from one of the city brothels with its little rooms for illicit activities

All in all a great visit and worth the 7.30 start. I’ll remember it.

A Pompeian fast food joint

The end of a great day