Pompei Thursday 30 July . Not 24 Aug 79 AD

Pompei with Vesuvius in the background

24 August 79AD. That was a big day for Pompei. Things are still a bit hazy as to what happened, it took a few by surprise, even the dog licking its u no whats. The current thinking is, a massive heat wave hitting the area, accompanying the explosion,  all

One of the main paved roads

over in a few short seconds, then the ash burying it. I know !!! doesn't answer all the questions but there are more informed sources than me working on the problem here. Soooooo my theory in light of enlightenment is that old JC's dad took care of things cause this place was a bit risque to say the least. In fact when P. was rediscovered whilst a channel to realign the river was being dug a few hundred years later in the 16th C, a leading archaeologist was put on the case, and was so shocked with the frescoes & statues etc. that turned up at every turn, he tactically decided the world or more particularly the Italians, going through a reformation phase, were not ready for the blatant promscuousness of Old Pompei and reburied it, with only a few curios being safely locked away.  Wiki is quite informative on what has been found (safely locked away still), and the consumer info from the I sites, is a bit air brushed, but the souvenirs shops don't pull any punches with the beautifully reproduced huge appendages and phallic wind chimes a hot item , so to speak, in keen demand for those in the know, those that are not in the "Know" are left slightly bewildered as to what on earth???? I know Mum enjoyed her visit, though am guessing ...... think now she is a little bewildered after reading this.... Well I blinking well hope She is Bewildered.

A porticoed courtyard

As I allude, this is a bit like the old story of Sodom & Gomorrah. Be warned!!!!!!!!!

Chariot groves in the road

Pompei was a hugely advanced city to what I imagined, (no news to all you academics and other well read friends), (this trip is an eye opener).Civilisation has been round for a long time, and Pompei, around well before the Romans and JC. It was a thriving well organised, far from Humble city. If you wanted "it" you could get "it", it was the playground of the glitterati, of the Romans, it was a very cool place, and according to whats been dug up, completely "Amoral"

So the extended family of Petrillos and Tylers set forth from Montemilleto towards Naples in a fairly busy but normal 1 hour trip to Pompei. Pompei has it's own Motorway exit, there is multiple choice motorways, pick the  right combination and Bang you are there, bottom of the motorway ramp into Pompei.

Casting of a body excavated

And it's buzzing, as Italy does, with people, selling souvenirs, cafes, people, cars & buses milling trying to find parking. Going into a little private lot, they spot your rego plates and tripling the price, A&R have Swiss plates so they are "money in the bank", didn't count on the Kiwi's and Italians in the car saying "what the...." if we can back out of this culdesac we're out of here. So an old  guy up the road is selling parking in a restorante driveway, for the day in shade at 7 Euro, a much better deal.

One of the lovely courtyards

As mentioned Rico has been a gift with smoothing all our encounters to date, so much so that we fear being left alone. He again fell on his sword and queued for us with a 100 others and 20 mins later had tickets whilst we relaxed in the shade. This was good as we were still in the throes of mid 30 temperatures and that is sweaty stuff. We packed in over 2 hours of highlights, ticking off most priorities. IE seeing dead people, seeing old stuff, seeing Mt Vesuvius, oh and seeing dead people, at one stage thought I might lie down and pretend  to be dead, but guessed that wouldn't fool the kids , but in this heat thought it was worth a go....

The main square

The place is huge and all joking aside it is fascinating, it had a population upwards of 15000, having expansive houses and public buildings in any ones books,  you can spend as little or as much  time as you like, you will not be bored or "over it".The info is multi lingual, you can go guided, down load a guide or just wander with plenty of information laid on, I was in my element.

Forum Bath House

Pompei is well presented and is still being dug up with Archaeologists actively working in several zones round the city. The levels of opulence that this city had, all that long ago is still breathtaking by most peoples standards. They were uber organised with plumbing, transport ,retail, IE you could buy whatever was available at the time,and the buildings and amenities amazing.

Plaster casts of a few victims

That's not even touching on the artistic & cultural significance of Pompei, indeed all cities under the Roman Empire at this time were very civilised, and they had been round for many hundreds of years already, (makes our civilisation look young and green) We may go back having got interested and read more, but may elect to go on to Herculian, a nearby city destroyed at the same time, less known but as well documented. However 2 solid hours in this heat was a good effort for all, especially the kids, only so many dead bodies can keep the fun up, so with a well deserved luncheon break in a very discreetly hidden food bar in the ruined city, we recharged and made a strategic withdrawal, still managing to see many more sites on our staged exit.

Then godly bliss, an air conditioned car for the hour trip back. Perhaps one of the most awe inspiring days so far, leaving us wanting more. R&A have been fantastic at pulling this and other highlights together, as it's not easy with young kids, and old farts, hot hot weather and lots of other things happening requiring their attention. Our Big Thanks to them. We will not forget Pompei.