Pompeii Ruins and Mount Vesuvius

4 July
Pompeii Ruins and Mount Vesuvius

Early rise and strolled to Pompeii. Very much looking forward to a day of exploring.

TIP: When we went for a quick walk to the site yesterday we were informed by a market man selling his wares that we must by a guide book to Pompeii. He said that there is no information at all available once you're up at the entrance. Having arrived at the entrance there were booths for audio guides, licensed tour guides, a free map and booklet you get with your ticket. Do not be fooled.

We decided on an audio guide at 10 Euros for 2 people. The alternative was to join the group – at 10 Euro's per person with a registered tour guide for a 2 hour walk.

Pompeii was a thriving Roman City. It suffered a huge earthquake and a few years after that, Mt Vesuvius erupted burying the city with volcanic ash.



It was discovered in the 1800's and only excavated years later. People were buried alive. The city was left very much intact. It gave a great overview from the “lupo” (trans. whore)

houses to laundromats, where using urine was part of cleaning the laundry. We walked it in 3 hours and it was plenty. Roman scholars might want to take longer. TIP: Again ladies, no heels or wedgies - you will battle or look insanely stupid.




Mt Vesuvius was about an hours drive away. Up a winding road you find that you enter straight into a parking lot. Here – a man asks you for 5 Euro parking fee. TIP: Park just before the entrance (where there are a handful of other cars or buses) and skip the charge. They also charge you to walk up the mount (at 6.50 Euro's p. person).

The volcano is Europe's only active volcano and is considered the worlds most dangerous as there are some 6000 people living at the foot of the volcano. There are literally houses and restaurants jotted all the way to the top. At the entrance of the very steep walk – men offer you walking sticks – in hope to have a tip in return when you give them back. Unless you are really unfit, have a disability or are aged you do not need one of these. Good shoes are key. Again – TIP: No high heels or wedgies. It must be said that in both Pompeii and Vesuvius women had attempted this. It genuinely is not worth it. If you break your leg or twist your ankle it will take a while for any medical help to reach you.

It is quite amazing to think you are standing on an active volcano.

You almost expect that steam should be smouldering at the top. Although on this day the heat caused haziness – there must be quite a view on cooler days. The crater is entirely closed with vegetation and earth. The volcanic ash allows perfect nutrients for the soil and the entire area surrounding the mount and all of the land below with beautiful greenery. Unfortunately, in this area (anywhere close to Naples) there is terrible litter. Even in the Mt Vesuvius National Park. It is incredibly disappointing to see dumps all along the sides of the roads.

After a lot of exercise we decided to find a beach. We drove towards Positano – punched in for a campsite on the GPS. There were very few available. It was decided that we will use the one that looked on the tip of the coastline. We arrived at Villaggio Campeggio BlueGreen campsite to find the warmest and most lovely Italian lady, Xenia. She said she will do her best to give us a site with a view. It is very difficult not to, especially when the site is on the edge of a cliff with at least 100m drop to the ocean. We settled in for the night – enjoying the surroundings.

As the site did not have a pool (the views make up for it and they have a shuttle for 1 Euro return to the beach), Nick and I filled our little dish bak (trans. bucket) and had a mini splash. Then retired on our picnic blanky with both pairs of feet in the cold water and read our books.

At one stage we had to leap up with glass of wine in hand to sit at the tip of the site with the view of the ocean and the sun setting behind it. Magic.