Day 14 – Pompeii!!

Pompeii ruins

12th June 2012

Today we’re heading to Maiori on the Amalfi Coast but first we get to explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii. Now this is one place I’ve been looking forward to visiting for a VERY long time. I first read about Pompeii when I was about ten or eleven and have been fascinated ever since. I dragged my two daughters down to the Melbourne Museum to see “A day in Pompeii”   a few years ago, well, maybe not quite dragged as there was shopping involved too. They were keen to see the exibition but couldn’t believe how long I stayed inside. I happily missed a few extra hours shopping in exchange for more time soaking it all in and anyone who knows me would agree that happily missing out on shopping is highly unusual.

Oranges and Lemons – fresh lemonade at Pompeii

We had a great guide today, both knowledgeable and entertaining, I am definitely coming back one day to visit the museum in Naples. Apart from actually being at Pompeii at long last the next best thing there was the freshly made lemonade from the stalls just outside the site – really hit the spot being such a hot day.

I don’t know why but I just can’t find the words to describe today’s visit like every other day, for me it was just special. I felt terribly silly, but on the way there I was almost in tears a few times because I was so happy. Suffice to say – it was excellent.

Oops! On the Amalfi Coast road

And then – the road along the Amalfi Coast – amazing! Just driving on this road is an experience not to be missed. I’ve been on some pretty narrow, windy roads but this one was particularly crazy. As usual, Andrea was superb, calm and relaxed, which is more than could be said for some of my fellow passengers. There were a few clenched hands on the seats and anxious faces at times, but I was too enthralled by everything we saw along the way to be worried.

The funniest thing was that when we reached a normal road again the tour guide thanked and congratulated Andrea on his performance and informed us – it was the first time he had ever driven it – wow!!