We used the frenetic town of Naples as our base camp for a quick taste of the more southern side of Italy. This place moves fast, everyone is moving and you can’t help but get caught up in the energy of the town. And the things that move quickest are the scooters of which there are at least two for every adult citizen.
Our first morning we got the Circumvesuviana train for Pompeii. Pompeii as you probably know was destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, but this was actually it’s second bit of bad luck, it had been partially destroyed by an earthquake 16 years earlier and the citizens were just finishing rebuilding when the Vesuvius dumped ash on them. The site was discovered in 1594 but excavation didn’t start until 1748 and continues today. I like to think that the first place to be dug out was this ancient tavern..
Of course they’ve uncovered lots of other buildings including this bakery…
.. a few temples,
and this remarkably intact theatre…
Vesuvius looms over the town and considering that until it erupted in 1944 it had a huge smoke plume you’ve got to question the sanity of the people who founded the town.
George however was not afraid…
After a few hours in Pompeii we caught a bus half way up Vesuvius. There used to be a chairlift and they began construction of a funicular however the bright lights at Greenpeace protested it so now instead of an electric funicular they have dozens of diesel tour buses go up the mountain every day and then people hike the last 1.5 km up the volcano. We didn’t have a lot of time to get to the top, take in the view and get down so it was a good thing that we’ve been using the Cathedral Stairmaster lately.
While there may not be a big plume of smoke anymore the volcano is definitely not extinct.
The next day we set off for Capri; the government run ferries didn’t look much better than these so we took a hydrofoil which got us there in about 45 minutes.
The view of Naples from the boat was great…
But didn’t hold a candle to the view approaching Capri from the sea…
The town was gorgeous on land as well.
After a quick drink we headed for the beach where I got right to it.
Ali was a little more tentative…
but soon was right at home (except of course for shouting ‘Don’t take my picture’).
Mid-afternoon we left the beach and headed up the mountain to see the other side of the island.
The views were great but I’m sure nothing compared to the view this fellow had off his port side.
After a great day we headed back for Naples. We spent our last day in Naples wandering around the shops and just soaking it in before getting a train to Rome and our plane to Athens. We were both sad to leave Italy as we enjoyed every minute of it. We hope to be back soon to explore further…
Cheers,
Mark & Ali
P.S. Sara, I’m glad the girls enjoyed the lobster and that the seasons off to a good start. Take pity on us poor landlocked ‘upper’ Canadians and save a few; pretty please?
Hi guys. Great pictures - nice butt shot Ali! It is nice to see you having fun it the water. I bet being on the boat makes you homesick for yours. Where are you off to next? If you swing by the Maritimes before the end of June, I am sure we can fix you up with a feed of lobsters. They sure are yummy. Gotta go - things are starting to get a little crazy. Take care and talk to you soon. Love, Sara
Hey Guys,
Wow - it’s so beautiful.
Thought for the day . brought to you by the letter P and the color Red.
Miss you guys
Thought - Sunscreen
Hi kids!
I meant to write on your Blog a few days ago, but frankly, I’ve run out of oohs and aahs. It’s beautiful there, isn’t. Good to see you had some time for R&R after all the walking on Mt. V.
I loved the upper part of Capri with the scenic views and the little streets.
Hope to go there again some day! No wonder songs were written about the place (well before your time).
Hope all goes well for you with the officialdom in Athens.
Love ya!!
Mom
P.S. Can’t for the life of me imagine why Ali would be concerned about having her picture taken in a bathing outfit. Looks good on you kiddo!
Your shots are like crepes susettes for the brain, we’re lovin it and saving $ as you live it. I reminice on those great Capri pics, and Ali’s swim was cute, it wakes you right up at midnite, which is when I like to review your day. Keep them comin It’s like a day without sunshine when they don’t come! Luv dad
Hi there,
So good to hear you’re having a ball in “our Europe”. Also nice for us to see places we’ve never been yet….
Keep enjoying yourselves!!!!
hugs, Harriet & Wim
I agree with Jill, sunscreen is a must! Z your head is beginning to look a wee bit like the sun.
Also, what is a funicular? (it sounds funny and peculiar all at the same time.)
Take care.
Yo buddy J.
Hi Ali, Mark
Whaaaaa! I want to go to Capri. What wonderful pictures. I’m still drooling over them. Another nice spring day on PEI, I think we are going to get a break this year with a good Spring. I’ve been busy this week, trying to get books for 2 restaurants in shape for the accountant. I finished Robert’s last night. The Gulnare is starting to get busy again, he is geariing up for Mother’s Day on Sunday. I think Windows on the Water will be later opening this year.
Vanessa and I are getting excited about the trip west. It will be here before we know it. We may try to squeeze in a visit with Adam at some place central like Banff. I had my review at work (Nov 2004) last Friday. How can you get 2 exceptionals, 3 exceeds expectations and 2 meets expectations and not get a raise? I think the move is afoot to put in place a lower paid workforce than the last time round in Montague. Only a handful are getting their first increment, and that just puts them at my level. The management can do it, because they can this time around. No shortage of workers. Definitely dampened my enthusiasm for the work. The company did manage to land the American Express contract as well as the Apple ipod for Canada. I could move to Pembrooke, ON but not too interested in doing customer service for Amex. Enough about that. Great to see you are still having a great time. Keep those wonderful commentaries coming.
Big Love
Mom
Ps, Ali, I saved my mother’s day card. I’ll open it on Sunday and will be thinking of you.
This one’s for Jason…. a funicular is a tram that goes on an incline, like the one for the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls. But the one in Capri is a bit longer than that. Beats having to be a mountain goat!
Gee… Mom PEI you’re good. Hope you’ll get your promotion or raise after all!
Guess I was like Curious George and opened my Mother’s Day Card already.
It has been standing in our hallway (on a pedestal no less) so I can see it daily! Oh… Moms are such sucks eh?
Mark & Ali!
Dad is on the runway…. leaving on a jet plane (I take it you know that song?).
Off to Dubai. Hope I can get some office work done now and finally can use my Old Mill Spa gift certificates and be pampered.
Love ya!!
Bets
Golly all these friends and family who have travelled the world. I am getting a lesson most days and pictures to boot. It’s a lot of fun just looking here. How many suitcases I wonder, to be gone so long and to so many different climates?
My mouth waters when I hear some talking about Lobster. Here it is Florida Grouper but Lobster would suit me better. Especially fresh…
Keep having a good time and know we are right here. Checking most days to see “where and what’s new to view”
Hey….
I forgot to ask you two to bring me something from Greece. I will take a nice greek guy but not the silky button-down dress shirt kinda guy. You know the type I like and let’s not tell jay about this request….hummm?.
I wish….naaaa!!. Take Care guys!!
One last thing…..
It’s just a guess Ali but does Sara like lobster?.