Naples and Pompeii

SS: John and I decided to take the overnight ferry from Sicily to Naples. Sounds great - right? Booking on a website that was completely in Italian, we opted to keep to our budget ways and book 'deck' seats. Little did we know that it actually meant sleeping on the deck! We both managed to arrange a few plastic like cocktail chairs in a semi-circle, one to support our head, one to hold our butt and the last to keep our legs up for a not-so-sound sleep. We docked at the port, got off the boat early in the morning with nowhere to go as our lack of planning had left us homeless. Welcome to Naples! 

 After getting settled, we covered the entire city by foot including what I hope to be my last museum - Museo Archeologico Nazionale - that I have to admit was really cool. My favorite pieces being the Farnese Atlas (Atlas holding the world), the Secret Room and Pompeii remnants. 

Naples has such grand architecture and mighty castles but what it may be best known for is being the creators of pizza - amazing pizza. John can certainly attest to that one as I know he has had pizza at least everyday if not for every meal. We even stopped by the local favorite and now famous pizza joint that was featured in the movie Eat, Pray, Love. 

Pompeii. I thought I knew what to expect from this buried treasure but it was much grander than I could have imagined. Although it had been ransacked many times after its eerie fateful day in August 79AD, you can still see what once was a thriving city. Elaborate bathhouses, bakeries, billowing columns and temples, houses, wineries, arenas and of course the local cemetery. The most affecting was the casted bodies of these citizens that were literally buried alive. 

Definitely an impressive day touring. 

JG: The ferry ride to Naples...oh, the ferry ride. At first glance, I was certain we sat down in the lounge area, where people all around us were having drinks, snacks and such. Then, when most others retired to their cabins and spots on the couch areas, we...stayed right where we were. I'll say this much: it wasn't unclean, and it wasn't cold, but that's where the positives ended. I hadn't slept in a chair since I was about 7 years old. Thirty years later, I again had the displeasure. 

 Naples itself is a riotous mix of scooters, grunge, and culture. Much of the few days was spent cruising the innards of the city center, but Pompeii was definitely the highlight. Just the thought of an entire city buried by a volcano was impressive enough, but then to learn about the excavation - which was largely ignored for centuries - and how they went about unearthing the city with such precision. Marble ornamentation, statues, whole temples - all fairly intact. One of our highlights in Italy, for sure.