Franz was excited to start out with a boat ride to the Isle of Capri; a beautiful island on which we didn't get to spend enough time.
We took the tram to the top of the island, along with our tour group. We had a fast-paced guide who was well-versed in avoiding the other tour groups. We loved him.
Another breathtaking view. It was right here that I made some new friends whom I referred to as "the Señoras." They were two little older Mexican sisters who spoke very limited English. They just happened to ask me a question about our Whispers and I was able to help them with my limited Spanish. For the rest of our trip we kept running into them on tours, and tried to have lunch with them whenever possible. They called me, "Preciosa" and kissed me on the cheek whenever we met up. Their names were Concepción and Zoíla.
This is the turquoise color of water that everyone refers to when they mention Capri.
We were able to walk to a Jesuit garden with spectacular views of the coastline and beautiful flowers, too.
Doesn't this stairway look promising?
Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit the Blue Grotto, the famous blue cave in the island. You'll have to ask Emily Jane for details on that one.
We took the tram back down to the boat and went straight from there to Sorrento, on the mainland coast. In Sorrento, we had a delicious lunch in a family-owned restaurant, eating with the Señoras.
After lunch we visited a furniture factory that specialized in wood inlays and had been doing them for five generations. The furniture is indescribably beautiful, and we fell in love with the secretary pictured above. All we have to show for this affair is the picture, sadly.
From there, we took an overland tour bus to the ancient city of Pompeii, which was much bigger than I imagined. I can't believe how much they have uncovered, buried beneath so much ash.
It looked like this along most of the streets. Typical small shops and homes, although there were areas for the wealthy patricians. Their homes were huge, with extra shops along the front that they could rent out, and separate servants' entrances along the back alleys.
While all the people discovered there had been removed to the museums, there were plaster cast replicas along with pottery and other finds kept behind gates. We saw several people in different positions, a pregnant lady, and a dog.
The structures were well thought-out and some were very grand.
The town was supplied with water by the Roman acqueducts from nearby mountains. However their sewage systems were a little more primitive with "grey water" as we might refer to it now, and all sorts of other delights running through the streets. The big rocks in the foreground are stepping stones found at every intersection to aid passersby across the street without risking a fall into the stuff below. It was interesting to see the chariot/cart marks in the stones. You could tell the roads were worn, but held up well.
Here is a room in a wealthy person's house.
Part of a temple.
This original mosaic of a war scene was uncovered in a wealthy house. It is in amazing condition. Beautiful up close. There are also original frescos on the walls of a brothel in the city, which we saw briefly as we walked past. They portrayed scenes that would send you straight to the confessional just for looking at them, I'll leave it at that! (If you're thinking goats, you're not wrong.) Sodom, Gomorrah, and Pompeii anyone?
An athletic field in still-usable condition.
After Pompeii we drove back through Naples to the ship. No time even to sample the pizza. It was an exhausting day but fascinating.
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