The Pompeii Ruins

Stay:Pompeii-Camping Spartacus
Visited:The Pompeii Ruins

We were up and at one of the ruin entrances by 8:30am, only to find out that now there is a new opening time of 9am.

          How big are those lemons?

 

So just after 9 we began our 5 hour visit of Pompeii. Entry cost €13 ea and we could get a free map and guide book. Audio guides where also available.
I find it remarkable that it was not until the 16th century that it was rediscovered after being buried under ash and rock since 79AD.. it still has not been fully excavated and alot of areas are closed due to restoration works. 
We wondered our way around and tried to see most of the main buildings in the guide...

The small theatre

One of the many streets.

The large Theatre

One of the many 'snack bar' restaurants.

There were many painted walls to be seen in various buildings

Restauration works underway.

The dancing faun in the largest home.

The mosaic depicting the victory of Alexander the Great.

The house of the Tragic Poet

Bread oven on stone mill.

The forum.

Exhibition of the petrified people made by filling the hollow with a substance, then used this to create plaster mouldings.

Excavations in 1800's

To Pompeii

Travelled: 154km from Monte Cassino by autoroute €7.30
Stay: Pompeii- Camping Spartacus €21/night GPS N40.746830 E14.483930

Last night we had started in Polish Cemetery carpark but at about 10pm a car turned up with some noisy youths so we decided to drive back up to the Abbey carpark which was well lit up. Although we could hear the music and fireworks from some sort of celebration, all was quiet from 12:30am until the Abbey bells rang at 5am..we still managed to sleep until 6:30am. After our morning coffee we descended the mountain back into town and managed to find the Commonwealth Cassino War Cemetery. We were greeted by the local stray dogs as we made our way through the very well kept area in the foothills of Monte Cassino. We reflected again on the loss of lives and said a silent thank you for their sacrifice that has made our life as it is today. 

Then we took the autostrad to Pompeii. Camy (our GPS) wanted us to do a big loop but we decided to hop off earlier. This may have cut off Km but we may have not gained it in time. Although it did give us an opportunity to see how the 'real' people live. We cannot get over the rubbish that is every where. 

They need a 'clean up Italy' day. It does detract from the amazing historical sites they have here. It is just beyond our understanding. It reminded us of Vietnam and they may have even been cleaner! Anyway we are here to see the Iconic sites of Italy but with all the money they must be making they are certainly not putting it back. It is a shame. You feel like you are being had. Oh well....so it goes.
If this was 2 years ago we would have spent the afternoon visiting the ruins, but this year we are taking it at a slower pace. So we spent the afternoon walking around familiarising ourselves with our surroundings and getting some information on what we can go and see from here...then drinks and nibbles back at Bluey.

Monte Cassino

Travelled : 154km took autoroute €9.80 from Rome
Visited:Monte Cassino Abbey and Polish War Cemetery
Stay: Monte Cassino car park €8/24h no services GPS N41°29.3796' E13°48.7320'

We had a relaxing start to the day. Chatting to family on skype, Mark listened to an other disappointing Bomber game and a dump, fill and clean for Bluey. We then had an easy drive along the motorway to Monte Cassino. After paying our fee to the attendant we parked in the shade of some pines and went to visit the beautiful abbey that had been destroyed in WWII. It is known as the mother church of the Benedictine order, founded by St Benedict in 529. This holds a special bond to us because Mark and our children attended St.Benedict's School. By the 11th century it had become one of the most richest monasteries in Europe.
During WWII it was assumed that it was a German strong hold and so it was a target for Allied bombing. The complex was devastated but the walls remained. Please refer to Wikipedia for in-depth information regarding the battle.

After strolling through the now peaceful and still used complex, including the amazing church, which had some astonishing marble and mosaic work, we drove down to the Polish War Cemetery. We familiarised ourselves with the war history in the newly created museum and then went to honour the fallen that sacrificed their lives for the better of ours. Around Cassino there are other cemeteries for the British, American and other allied forces including Australia.