Italy
Last stop - Pompeii, with Vesuvius looming 8 km. in the background. It erupted in 79 AD
Last stop - Pompeii, with Vesuvius looming 8 km. in the background. It erupted in 79 AD
Baths with frescoes
Baths with frescoes
Marble altar depicting a sacrifice
Marble altar depicting a sacrifice
They were excellent masons
They were excellent masons
Mosaic floor in the baths
Mosaic floor in the baths
Archaeologists continue to excavate the ruins
Archaeologists continue to excavate the ruins
Marble countertop and stoves for cooking
Marble countertop and stoves for cooking
Base for a statue
Base for a statue
Brick and stone Corinthian columns of a temple
Brick and stone Corinthian columns of a temple
Around 59 AD, a deadly brawl between Pompeiians and residents of Nuceria during Gladiator games led to a 10-year ban on such events in this amphitheatre
Around 59 AD, a deadly brawl between Pompeiians and residents of Nuceria during Gladiator games led to a 10-year ban on such events in this amphitheatre
One of the hundreds of victims of the eruption. It was previously thought that they were slowly asphyxiated by volcanic ash and gas
One of the hundreds of victims of the eruption. It was previously thought that they were slowly asphyxiated by volcanic ash and gas
But a 2010 study now concludes that they were flash-heated to an instant death. This was caused by a surge of fast-moving, ground-hugging waves of hot, toxic gases and ash. This caused the air to be heated to 300 degrees C (570 degrees F), enough to kill hundreds of people in a fraction of a second
But a 2010 study now concludes that they were flash-heated to an instant death. This was caused by a surge of fast-moving, ground-hugging waves of hot, toxic gases and ash. This caused the air to be heated to 300 degrees C (570 degrees F), enough to kill hundreds of people in a fraction of a second
Ash and volcanic debris then fell from the sky, covering the bodies. Subsequent
rains turned the ash into a mud, which hardened, encasing the bodies. The flesh
decayed while much of the skeletons remained intact, creating hollow molds
Ash and volcanic debris then fell from the sky, covering the bodies. Subsequent
rains turned the ash into a mud, which hardened, encasing the bodies. The flesh
decayed while much of the skeletons remained intact, creating hollow molds
These specimens were created by pouring plaster into the hollows, revealing an exact cast of the bodies at the time of death
These specimens were created by pouring plaster into the hollows, revealing an exact cast of the bodies at the time of death
On the way to the airport in Naples
On the way to the airport in Naples
We picked up this Lancia in Napoli, and drove to the Amalfi coast
We picked up this Lancia in Napoli, and drove to the Amalfi coast
The view of Positano from our balcony for the next 4 nights
The view of Positano from our balcony for the next 4 nights
We really enjoyed the balcony and the grounds of our hotel below
We really enjoyed the balcony and the grounds of our hotel below
A boat trip along the coast. This is Positano
A boat trip along the coast. This is Positano
The water was a beautiful blue green color and felt amazing in the Mediterranean heat
The water was a beautiful blue green color and felt amazing in the Mediterranean heat
Nice house with steps to the water
Nice house with steps to the water
Inside the Emerald Grotto
Inside the Emerald Grotto
Hangin' at the Sirenuse Hotel
Hangin' at the Sirenuse Hotel
The seafood bar
The seafood bar
It was great people watching
It was great people watching
The kitchen was impressive
The kitchen was impressive
Chaise lounge
Chaise lounge
We spent a day driving along the coast and ended up in Ravello
We spent a day driving along the coast and ended up in Ravello
The courtyard of a Palazzo
The courtyard of a Palazzo
View of the town of Maiori from our table where we had lunch
View of the town of Maiori from our table where we had lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Ravello is surrounded by vinyards and lemon groves
Ravello is surrounded by vinyards and lemon groves
"Sentiero degli Dei" or "Walk of the Gods" is a hike along the ridge at the top of these cliffs
"Sentiero degli Dei" or "Walk of the Gods" is a hike along the ridge at the top of these cliffs
Sign for Villa of the Gods in Nocelle
Sign for Villa of the Gods in Nocelle
It was the most peaceful, quiet, deserted, spectacular afternoon we had on the coast
It was the most peaceful, quiet, deserted, spectacular afternoon we had on the coast
Above the town of Praiano
Above the town of Praiano
Takin' a break in the shade - wouldn't want to attempt this hike in the heat of the day
Takin' a break in the shade - wouldn't want to attempt this hike in the heat of the day
OK, I'll take one of you...
OK, I'll take one of you...
and you take one of me
and you take one of me
Heading back down to Positano as the sun sets
Heading back down to Positano as the sun sets
Early morning clam rinsing in Positano
Early morning clam rinsing in Positano
Back on our balcony
Back on our balcony
Positano from the rocky beach - man those pebbles hurt our feet!
Positano from the rocky beach - man those pebbles hurt our feet!
Hotel along the coast with super long stairway to the beach
Hotel along the coast with super long stairway to the beach
Our leisurely drives included lots of pullouts with vistas like this
Our leisurely drives included lots of pullouts with vistas like this
Early morning in Positano
Early morning in Positano
Our last day on the Amalfi coast was spent on Capri
Our last day on the Amalfi coast was spent on Capri
Boatmen waiting to take us into the Blue Grotto
Boatmen waiting to take us into the Blue Grotto
Queuing up
Queuing up
So that's why they call it..
So that's why they call it..
We had plenty of company
We had plenty of company
I just had to
I just had to
Laurie is glowing from the warm moist grotto air
Laurie is glowing from the warm moist grotto air
Entry and exit had to be timed as the swells filled the opening
completely. It got a little hairy waiting for the right conditions to leave -
in fact, the whole grotto was closed after we left due to danger
Entry and exit had to be timed as the swells filled the opening
completely. It got a little hairy waiting for the right conditions to leave -
in fact, the whole grotto was closed after we left due to danger
View from our table at lunch on Capri
View from our table at lunch on Capri
Laurie had amazing fresh prawns
Laurie had amazing fresh prawns
Positano - our hotel is right behind the church
Positano - our hotel is right behind the church
Rome - taking a break in the forum.
Rome - taking a break in the forum
Insalata Caprese
Insalata Caprese
Verdure alla griglia
Verdure alla griglia
Chillin' after 4 hours in the Vatican
Chillin' after 4 hours in the Vatican
2 nights in Firenze. Yup, that's the Ponte Vecchio
2 nights in Firenze. Yup, that's the Ponte Vecchio
Slab o Mortadella
Slab o Mortadella
Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Vecchio
Inside the Uffizi
Inside the Uffizi
As usual, the pastries looked better than they tasted
As usual, the pastries looked better than they tasted
Door to the Palazzo Vecchio
Door to the Palazzo Vecchio
Statue of Perseus, holding Medusa's head, by Benvenuto Cellini
Statue of Perseus, holding Medusa's head, by Benvenuto Cellini
Just muckin' about inside the Galleria Accedemia
Just muckin' about inside the Galleria Accedemia
