LIDO Di OSTIA

DAY 7

Woke up and had another good breakfast in our room at Pensione Linda. Then packed up all our belongings and walked down the hill to Sorrento train station.

Today was much nicer weather, and it would have been great to stay longer and explore more of the Amalfi coast and look around Pompeii some more. But we had to get back to Rome as we pick up our car tomorrow morning.

Booked a cheaper 2nd class unreserved ticket from Naples, and were ripped off by a porter there (not a nice city), then had a good 2 hour ride back to Rome. It was a good opportunity to update the travel diaries with all the exciting things we had seen over the past few days:

The next bit was more of a challenge - getting to Ostia, and even Tourist Information at Termini wasn't much help. We eventually took the Metro and changed for another train to Ostia Centro. Shame in hindsight that we didn't collect the car earlier - it would have saved us a lot of stuffing around on trains - but we were worried about driving our new car through Naples (and probably rightly so!), and a few days of train travel around Europe was to be part of the experience.

When we arrived late in Lido Di Ostia, we found accommodation at the Hotel Belvedere. At first appearances it looked a bit upmarket, but we needed two rooms and the plumbing in one of the bathrooms was a bit pongy, but we were getting used to that by now. The other room though had magnificent views of the beachfront:

So we took a walk around the seaside village, grabbed a bite to eat, and then crashed after an exhausting and emotional day.

Sadly with all the mucking around trying to get here on trains, we did not have enough time to explore the ruins at Ostia Antica. Another thing for next time!

HERCULANEUM

DAY 6
PM

Herculaneum was buried by the same eruption of Mt.Vesuvius on 29th August AD79, but was covered with ash rather than the heavier debris that caused the roofs to collapse in Pompeii. Therefore this city is very well preserved.

The entrance to a trip nearly 2000 years back in time was a very short walk from the modern Ercolano train station:

Here you can see the modern town of Ercolano in the background, and the close proximity to Mount Vesuvius behind it:


It gave us an appreciation of the lifestyle of the inhabitants. Jamie Durie would be proud! They had some wonderful outdoor rooms bordered by these date palms:


And Olive gardens:


Inside, the intricate frescos were still in remarkably good condition:

Young Jess (11) indicating that the ancient romans must have been midgets too!

We ambled around for hours, looking at the terraces, baths, and ornate mosaics.
Jacob in awe

Eventually got asked to leave at Sundown, as the place was being closed up. Walked back up the hill to the station, and caught the train back to Sorento.

Went back to the Spinnaker bar for a slap-up meal, then wandered around the illuminated Sorrento before heading back to the hotel.

A very pretty town, and much more pleasant than yesterday.

In all a great day!

POMPEII

DAY 6
AM

Had a great breakfast with small bottles of Pear and Apricot juice, Croissants, Coffee, Jam and Mini-Toasts - to which we added Vegemite; well we were going to need our strength!

Lots of walking today. Headed off to the train station for the 20 minute ride to Pompeii.


Signs of the times.

Wandered around the ruins still in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius

Mt V in the background

This stairway was almost perfectly preserved:


Abbey Rd perhaps? The gaps in the stepping stones were to let the chariot wheels through:


And in many places you could still see the ruts from the ancient chariots:


Plenty of evidence that the ancient Romans were well advanced, with aqueducts for water and other systems to remove the effluent (which probably worked just as well as their current systems which all seem to have that eu-de-medieval pong).

This sign marks a one-way street, in the direction the horse is pointing:


The kids were amazed at these plaster casts of those who perished in the AD79 eruption.


And pretended to test out the vomitarium:


The day was going so quickly, we only had time to see the main exhibits. Had lunch in a restaurant that was set up in one of the old buildings. Amazing!


We wanted to see Herculaneum as well, so after lunch we headed back to the train station for the 15 minute trip to Ercolano.

As we were leaving, we noticed a group of archaeologists and students, and they were still digging!

On the train to Ercolano, we were reading the guide maps, and realised we didn't get down to see the amphitheatre at Pompeii. We will next time!

ROME -> SORRENTO

DAY 5
: (

Had the most wonderful breakfast at Hotel Cervia, not a word of English was spoken, but LOADS of atmosphere, great hospitality, big crusty rolls & bottomless mugs of chocollato for the kids.

Reluctantly had to leave Rome, and rushed off to catch a train to Naples, had a great trip in 2nd class:

Then, not so good.

Had to change to a local train to Garibaldi Station to pick up the Circumvesuviana line to Pompeii/Sorento. This train was packed and slow. We stood up for the hour's journey. Somewhere along the way, Kate had her mobile phone pinched by a pickpocket in Naples - a very undesirable city!

In total, 4 hours of train travelling, and when we arrived in Sorrento, the weather was extremely cold, wet and miserable. But we did find the Aussie flag flying in the town square:

In an attempt to warm up, we had a late lunch at a pseudo-English Pub of Fried Eggs and Chips. Then we had a tasty gelati, but they cost us the equivalent of A$9 each. Ouch!

Roadway down to the coast from Sorrento

Then a quiet finish to the day in a cold room at Pensione Linda in Sorrento. Off to Pompeii tomorrow.

VATICAN CITY

DAY 4

Awoke refreshed. Had the usual croissant and cuppa for breakfast, then packed up and left the Alessandro Palace:

Moved to the Pensione Cervia around the corner. Then headed straight out to the Termini Station and caught the Metro A-line to the Vatican. Got a bit disoriented exiting the underground station - us antipodeans made the obvious mistake of assuming the Sun was in the North!

Found the HUGE queue for the Vatican Museum, which went a full block and round the corner:

Unfortunately broke the battery cover on the digital camera taking this photo!

At least the queue was moving (slowly) and we tried to keep the kids amused and got in before too long.

Wound our way around the obscene amount of wealth, and eventually made it to the Sistine Chapel, which was extraordinary.

Then had lunch in the Vatican Cafeteria, which was the best food so far!

Then headed round to St. Peters and wandered aghast around the Basilica:

and the Catacombs:

Even admiring the exquisite uniforms of the Swiss Guards:

Then walked down to Castel D'Angelo:

And then along the river to the Metro Station.

Arrived back at the Hotel with sore legs. Popped into the "Internet Laundrette" to send an email home. Did some ad-hoc repairs to the camera using toothpicks and first-aid tape.

Had some drinks & slabs of Pizza for dinner in the room, and a game of cards. A great day!

ROME

DAY 3

Woke around 5am, pretty good! Showered and rearranged bags before breakfast.

Dropped some Laundry at Laundrette near Snack Bar, and had Coffee and Croissants.

Started walking towards the Colosseum, found some beautiful Italian sunglasses for Kate in an Optometrist on the way.

Posed with a "Roman Centurion":


Crawled all over Vittoriano Monument at Piazza Venezia (but got shouted at by the armed guards for sitting down on the steps!)

Then walked past the Forum to the Colosseum.

Climbed up and down and all around the old Flavian Amphitheatre:

It was freezing cold all day. We caught a train back to Termini, and had pasta for lunch.

Picked up the Laundry and took it back to our room, then walked around the city some more:

Enquired about accommodation for Tuesday Night, as tonight was the last night of our pre-booked accommodation, and looking for something cheaper.

Found the local PAM supermarket, and bought some bread, cheese, tomato & salami for Dinner.

Played cards in our room, had a few drinks, then an early night to bed. In retrospect, we would have liked to have spent more time at the Pantheon today. Off to the Vatican tomorrow.

ROME

DAY 2

Loooooooong flight from Singapore to Rome, and a very full plane. Went a lot further North than usual before heading West towards Italy in order to avoid conflict in the Gulf region.

Unable to sleep, so watched Maid in Manhattan, Analyze This, and Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets (twice) on the small seat-back screens.

Could have done with 3 meals instead of the 2 offered. Dinner was Penne shortly after take-off, and we had Frittata for breakfast (both very nice), but just water in-between.

On sunrise, we could see fresh snowfalls as we flew over the mountains of Greece:

Arrived in Rome at 7.10am, caught train to Rome Termini, where Kate braved ordering 4 croissants for a snack from a Cafe there.

Walked to Hostel Alessandro, arrived there around 9am:

Our Room wasn't ready, so left our bags and went for a walk.

Stumbled across a church designed by Michelangelo near the Termini; it had brass strips in the marble floor calibrated to mark the movement of the sun:

Then walked down to the Spanish Steps:

and then the Trevi Fountain:

We sat there and ate a slab of Pizza from the local vendors with a couple of Breezers.

It was a fair walk back to the Hostel. Got our room about 1pm, which had been recently renovated. Lay down for a nap... woke up and it was dark - it was 9pm!

Went down to the Snack Bar for some dinner; Jess and Jake had Lasagna, Kate an Omelette, and Mike had Veal Cutlet with Mushrooms, Green Salad and Crusty Italian Bread.

Then went back to the room to attempt more sleep.