Friday, March 23, 2012

A Visit to Pompeii...



Our last port before returning to Rome was Naples...
We rented a car...


TheChief drove to Pompeii...
We got a tour guide who spoke English...
Who also turned out to be the best ever!!!


The first stop was in an amphitheater...
if you stood in the middle of the stage area...the sound amplified 
naturally...
those ancients were pretty darned ingenious!!!


Now we all know that in these ancient times, there weren't any cars...
instead, carts...
these stones were placed at intersections of roads with 
a dual purpose...they protected the pedestrian from 
stepping in mud, water, sludge, etc...
but also were protective in that only carts with certain  
sized wheels could pass...


Now, believe it or not...even in ancient times
life was busy and take out food was available...

They had indoor plumbing...






Now here's something you're not going to find in today's world...
at least not that I'm aware of!!!


The paintings are a menu of what the occupant of the room is willing to 
perform...get my drift???


They were also quite graphic on their street markings...



The group (minus two)



In 1860, Guiseppe Fiorelli realized that spaces were left in the 
ash layer...he realized that these were often spaces left by decomposed
human remains.  He devised a method of injecting plaster into the 
space...the above are examples of that recovery...



Work is still being done...


The group relaxing again after the tour...at the tour guide's mother's 
eating spot!!!


She was delightful!!!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

A little late...but finishing up the Mediterranean Cruise!!!


The trip is winding down...
After returning from port, the group congregated at our favorite 
outdoor bar, where cigars could be smoked, drinks drunk, conversation
and rehashing the sights seen...



Our friend Sean's lovely young teenaged daughter Maddie
said that this was her favorite part of the cruise...
getting together with everyone after the port....


Sean had a new iPad...
And Art was checking it out!!!


Leaving the Greek islands with...what else?  But Greek music!!!


Even the crew is having a good time!


The Celebrity Equinox also had an actual glass blowing exhibit
throughout the cruise, when on board, we hung out here watching 
these very talented gentlemen create some magnificent pieces.


On to the next port...Naples...and a visit to the ancient city of Pompeii...