Amalfi Coast and Pompeii

Mt Vesuvius (right) in the Morning Light
From Celebrity Constellation in Naples, Italy
May 17, 2024

 We played another day of excursion survival today--but it was worth it.

The day started cool and we thoroughly enjoyed a motor launch tour of the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento to Amalfi (and then return later).

Along the Amalfi Coast nearing Amalfi
Amalfi, Italy
May 17, 2024

The day dawned as our ship berthed in Naples, Italy, and Chris and I made a 7:15 AM muster call for our excursion. It was another all day excursion. I was excited for our tour of the Amalfi coast and subsequent visit to Pompeii! I have always wanted to go to Pompeii and I was not to be disappointed.

Beginning in Salerno, we boarded a motor launch to tour the Amalfi Coast. The coast was beautiful in the cool morning air as we plied the waters. Around each mountain bend there was a new treasure to enjoy. We sent some time exploring Amalfi and enjoying the limoncello and gelato. Then it was time to board the motor launch to retrace our steps to Salerno. 

Then it was off to Pompeii, well after a great Italian lunch of pasta and chicken along with both white and red wines appropriate for the meal.

Looking Down a Street of Houses
Pompeii, Italy
May 17, 2024

I was on archeological overload in Pompeii. The idea that his apparently vibrant city was destroyed in just over a day with residents fleeing to the sea and many more dying in their homes was hard to wrap my head around. This was a complete city, as I learned, and a large city with multistory homes and shops. It was a growing center and the record left behind buried in the volcanic ash attests to how advanced were these 1st Century AD Romans. They had a fatal flaw, however, using lead pipes to provide running water. We saw some of the original lead pipes. Additionally, it seemed that STIs were a problem for the Pompeiians as well. 

Main Square looking to Mt Vesuvius
Pompeii, Italy
May 17, 2024

We toured a bakery, other stores, the gym and baths, as well as the bordello. Arriving at the main square, it was clear that this was a thriving metropolis that the volcano destroyed. And it was advanced. Apparently Pompeiians lived quite comfortably. We looked into the barracks where the gladiators lived as well as into the small theater where they fought. I captured many images, but our tour was a short overview of the site. I thirst for more time to explore and see what has been uncovered in the centuries of excavations. 

What a great and exhausting day!

I will likely never return, although I wish that someday I  might.

-- Bob Doan, Bay of Naples aboard the Celebrity Constellation