More Roman ruins

Despite my previous declarations that I was done with Roman ruins, cathedrals and museums, I couldn't very well come all this way and skip out on Pompeii. I even added the Herculaneum to the list. The Herculaneum was more recently uncovered in the town of Ercalano. Though a much smaller site, the preservation is better than Pompeii. This is because the town was engulfed in 16 metres of mud from Vesuvius' eruption rather than the burning ash that rained down on and entombed Pompeii.

My hotel manager had sent me out with highlighted maps, site guide books, and strict instructions to pick up a sandwich at the Sorrento market before heading off. His insistence paid off as the only food on offer at the sites was hideously overpriced and unappealing. Well done Ando!

I buzzed through Herculaneum quickly with barely enough time to catch my breath. I wanted to see it, but Pompeii was where I wanted to spend the bulk of my time. It was good and gave me a good sense of how the buildings were laid out in those times (AD79).

Pompeii was breathtaking. I found myself saying "Wow" several times as I would come around a corner into a grand courtyard, look down on an enormous amphitheatre or see mosaic floor tiles still intact with intricate designs. It helped that it was a beautiful sunny day, and that there were not hordes of people around. It really gave you time to take everything in and imagine what life would have been like back in those times.

It is astonishing that people still live in this area. Mt. Vesuivus is still an active volcano with more than 30 eruptions since its epic explosion in AD79. The Italian government has tried everything to clear the area, including paying people. Apparently, the locals don't believe the world scientists who have stated that Vesuivus is well overdue for another big eruption. I wouldn't be too eager to move away from this enchanting area either, but having molten lava percolating beneath me everyday is also not appealing.

I was glad to have spent the day crawling over some more ancient ruins. Perhaps this will be it for awhile, but then again there is still Rome to come.