Exploring A Lost City

UNESCO World Heritage Site

  of Pompeii

It was a summer day in August 79 A.D. when  Mt. Vesuvius rumbled, an ominous cloud formed, residents fled to save their lives, and a city was lost in a sea of ash. For nearly 1700 years, the ancient Roman cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii would lay hidden under 75 feet of volcanic ash until their accidental discovery and subsequent excavation.

Pompeii was known as a vacation community for high society before the eruption; it had a forum, amphitheater, gymnasium, shops and an aqueduct that delivered water for irrigation, fountains and private baths. Some of the ruins are remarkably preserved with elaborately detailed mosaics and colorful frescoes decorating the interiors of wealthy homeowners' villas.

What was life like under the volcano? What exactly did happen that summer day in A.D. 79? 

The Discovery Channel takes a look into the latest findings.

Fast forward to current day...   we exit our motorcoach and walk along the path to the entrance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Shortly after entering the site we see evidence of remarkably well preserved buildings from the Lost City.

Our guide, Mama Nancy, is very knowledgeable about the history of Pompeii, and leads us through the various streets of the excavated city.   After a short walk we are in the amphitheater where we sit and listen as several of our group experience what it was like to stand before the crowd and speak.   Sound carries extremely well in the well-designed theater.   Modern theaters have taken their design from ancient Romans.

We explore the various regions of  Pompeii.  One of the highlights was the Forum which was the heart of the city's religious, economic, and municipal life.   It was raining from the time we left the amphitheater until shortly after leaving the Forum.  Mt. Vesuvius could be seen in the distance casting its shadow on us.   Imagine if that was lava instead of rain.   All of a sudden we understand what it must have been like that fateful August day.

Much research has been done since the discovery of this lost city.   Here are just a few that you might find interesting:

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Pompeii Heritage Site Information       

Ancient Roman Life Preserved at Pompeii -- National Geographic 

History of Pompeii : Pompeii : Discovery Channel 

Resurrecting Pompeii | History & Archaeology | Smithsonian Magazine  

Besides the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii is one of the must-see destinations while in Napoli (Naples, Italy).
We have posted several photos on our Facebook Fan Page:  Exploring Pompeii

Additional photos can be found on our Facebook Albums.




Click on the image to the left for more Blog posts about this trip.

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Experience the Norwegian Fjords

Sailing northeast of Bergen, Norway, our 12 Night British Isles / Norwegian Fjords cruise on RCCL Jewel OTS took us to the West Norwegian Fjords region. A fjord is a long, narrow bay with steep sides, created in a glacially carved valley that is filled by rising sea water levels.

As our ship entered the fjords, we looked on in amazement at the rugged terrain that rose on both sides of the ship. Our 90,090 ton ship was dwarfed by these formidable mountains. The water was very calm and stillness filled the air. The only thing that broke the stillness was the sound of rushing water as it plunged from one of the magnificent waterfalls. Even though it was mid-June, several of the mountain peaks were crowned in white snow that glistened in the sunlight.

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine that you are standing on your balcony or one of the ship's decks looking out at the scenery that engulfs the ship. You are not afraid, but instead this calm comes over you as your breathe in the fresh crisp air. You pinch yourself because you aren't sure if this is real. You have just experienced Mother Nature in all her glory.

I have not posted any pictures in this article. I've done this so that you can use your imagination and paint a picture of the fjords in your mind. We watched the Jewel of the Seas online as it was built, and eagerly awaited it's maiden voyage to the Norwegian Fjords. We had months of anticipation before seeing the fjords. I'll only keep you in suspense until my next post.

We aren't the only ones that think the Norwegian Fjords are spectacular.
UNESCO has included the Norwegian fjords on the World Heritage List -- The Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord now enjoy the same recognition as the Great Wall of China, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, Zambia’s Victoria Falls and the Grand Canyon in USA. By their inclusion on the World Heritage List, the Norwegian Fjords will be protected for generations to come.

Come along with me in my next post to Geiranger, Norway. I wish you Peaceful dreams of fjords until then.
Chris