Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri

On our way down to Sorrento from Rome we stopped for a day tour of Pompeii. I have imagined this city more as a village, small and undeveloped, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Pompeii was much larger than I had though and was actually a walled city with 8 entrances and 14 lookout towers. You could still see worn areas where the chariots went down the roads. There were large water fountains where the people would come to get their water. The city was divided into districts and there was a main city center with currency exchange, market, and political center. Our tour guide, Franco, was very keen on making sure we saw the brothel. There were frescos painted on the walls above each room (that you can still see) in the brothel that depict which "position" you wanted and then you had to pay accordingly. haha.... I couldn't believe it! He also pointed out throughout the city that there were stone penises on walls or roads pointing towards the "red light" district. pictures to come! :) The views of the mountains from Pompeii were incredible!

outside the walls of the city

looking into the "gymnasium" where gladiators would train

view of Mt. Vesuvius

There were large stones like this that crossed the street sort of like a crosswalk. They were elevated so when it rained you wouldn't get wet. Three across on main streets, two across on smaller streets

grooves in the roads where the chariots would "drive"

The frescos in the brothel

ruins

Penis on the wall of a building pointing you towards the "red light" district

what a view

another penis

This was a drinking fountain. hard to tell but it is worn down on both sides of the fountain statue where people would place their hands to lean in to drink. It is worn more on the left side (right side of the picture) indicating there were more left handed people than right.

ruins of the main square

one of the 14 lookout towers.

view from the main square

Once we got to Sorrento we checked into our hotel and went to explore. Since Sorrento is on a peninsula and it is a pretty steep mountainous region, there is pretty much one main road that leads down to the main square. From there down to the marina where the next day we caught a hydrofoil (ferry) to Capri. Capri is an island now, but used to be connected to the mainland. May I just say that Capri should be on everyone's list of CANNOT MISS if they are coming to Italy (especially the south). It is so beautiful. Bright blue water surrounds and island that seems to just rise straight up from the sea. The cliffs are impossibly high!! The waters were rough the day we went, so the "Grotto Azurra" (blue grotto) was closed to the small boats that usually go in. But we were able to swim into the cave to see the blue blue waters inside. We took a private boat tour around the island. We were able to just lay out on the front of our "gozzi" (traditional fishing boat) as our captain and tour guide took us around the island pointing out all the most important sites. The blue grotto is not the only cave with bright waters on the island, simply the most famous, so we were able to see those as well. A stop for a swim, and let me say, it was very COLD! but worth the goose bumps!! The water was so clear, you could see the bottom with white sand, but you would be amazed how far the boat's anchor went down. So deep, yet you can still see the bottom! This was the perfect way to end our busy busy vacation! We definitely recommend this tour with Relax Boats. The price was very reasonable for what we got, and how much we will never forget it!

swimming near Marina Piccola

Gary admiring (and picking out) the yachts

inside the blue grotto looking back through the hole we swam through to get in

The blue grotto, please excuse the trash. The top hole is how we got in. That is about half the size of the hole, the other half is above water where usually small row boats row in to show people. It was closed due to rough water, so we swam in! I was not very excited to do this at first, but glad I did!

Bay of Naples

On Capri, the water unexpectedly came up and got me... it was cold!

chillaxin' on the boat

beautiful water!

All the growth on the rocks in the caves were these colors... I would say Capri is a Clemson fan!! :)

soooo gorgeous!

photo op

on of the grottos

lighthouse

sunset on the ferry back to Sorrento

Vatican City

Today we passed into another independent state, complete with it's own currency (although rare and hardly seen in circulation due to collectors), postal service, and I suppose form of government. The Pope is not only the leader of the church, but also the leader of this independent state. We were able to see the Swiss Guard in action allowing a priest to enter the side of St. Peter's Basilica, and then returning his spear to cross over the entrance. We stood in St. Peter's square. We walked through the Vatican Museum and viewed Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, where the Pope is elected. The Vatican did not disappoint! And may I just say, that all the gigantic churches, cathedrals, the duomo in Florence,  and St. Mark's basilica in Venice could not prepare me for the gargantuan St. Peter's Basilica. OMG, I don't know if it is totally proper to use omg when describing anything in the Vatican, but my goodness it is amazing! There are tile markings on the floor that indicated where certain other largest churches of the world would end if they were to go inside St. Peters, all fall short prior to even reaching the main altar. It St. Peters is, of course, St. Peter's tomb. We were not able to go down (you must have a reservation made months ahead of time), but I was able to get pictures from the top. The Domes seem to go on for forever, and the Pieta is beautiful despite being made to reside behind bullet proof glass (apparently years ago a wacko ran inside with a hammer and started going to town on it) hence now the bullet proof glass. At the far end of the church there is stained glass with only a dove seeming to fly right over head. It was rainy the today, but on sunny days it is supposed to let the sun in in such a way that it seems like streaks of gold are streaming in all around the white dove. I can only image the beauty. No picture I could ever take would give a hint to the magnificence of this basilica, but of course I shall try! Your best bet would be to come see it yourself, no matter what religion you are, you will be awe inspired or at least very impressed!

The Basilica dome from a Vatican Museum window

The oldest Christian symbol 

Exhibit at the Vatican Museum

Papal crest on the floor

Tapestry of Christ's Resurrection. You can't tell from the picture but it is said that as you walk past the tapestry and look in Jesus's eyes they follow you. They kinda did. :)

Tapestry of Julius Caesar's assassination. That is him getting stabbed in the bottom right.

Another Museum exhibit

Floor mosaic of chariot and rider

Papal crest on a door

Vatican Museum gigantic spiral staircase (from the top)

from the bottom

The Swiss Guard

The ceiling of the "porch" right before entering the Basilica

one of the domes in the Basilica

Michelangelo's Pieta (Mary holding Jesus after he was crucified)

The main dome of the basilica right above the main alter (you can't see it, and nor could I, but up at the very top in the middle a painting of God looks down on the altar.

from the main alter up to the dome

St. Peter's tomb located right in front of the main altar

me rubbing St. Peter's foot

This is behind the main altar, there were rows of pews roped off, and that circle in the middle is where the stained glass window of the dove is.

me near the entrance of the Basilica... alllll the way to the very back, that bright yellow circle is the dove stained glass window.