Shuttle Bus to Pompei: Friday May 9/08
We managed a quick breakfast, and slipped into our light jackets before heading out to the street to flag a taxi. The sun was shinning, but it was just after 6:15am; we knew the air would still be chilly.
We arrived at the Enjoy Rome’s office before 7:15 (the appointed meet time). I was surprised to spot more than 23 people taking our tour. The bus was huge. Plenty of room to stare out the windows at the countryside
The bus didn’t leave till 7:45, but the traffic moved swiftly. To fill time our guide gave us a condensed version of the Pompei eruption, and commented on local sights whipping by our nose pressed up against the window. An agreeable way to fill a three-hour journey (we stopped halfway for a bathroom break)
The bus arrived at Pompei at 11:00, just as advertised in the brochure. We were reminded to be at the bus stop by 3:00, and let loose to explore. Our tour included transportation only, arranging a guide at the sight and entrance fees were to come out of our pockets. No sweat, the tour was still the best bargain for a day trip to Pompeii - the cost of a train ticket to Pompei from Rome cost $20 Euro more per person.
My in-laws had limited mobility we decided to explore the ruins on our own. Grabbing an early lunch, at the cafeteria/ restaurant just past the Forum, we parted ways.
Early in our exploring, we realized our huge mistake. Hiring a guide at the entrance is essential, in my opinion. There are no streets signs on the buildings, or anywhere else, so we were left to wander, aimlessly uncertain, in an area that spanned a couple miles. Not a great feeling.
We managed a quick breakfast, and slipped into our light jackets before heading out to the street to flag a taxi. The sun was shinning, but it was just after 6:15am; we knew the air would still be chilly.
We arrived at the Enjoy Rome’s office before 7:15 (the appointed meet time). I was surprised to spot more than 23 people taking our tour. The bus was huge. Plenty of room to stare out the windows at the countryside
The bus didn’t leave till 7:45, but the traffic moved swiftly. To fill time our guide gave us a condensed version of the Pompei eruption, and commented on local sights whipping by our nose pressed up against the window. An agreeable way to fill a three-hour journey (we stopped halfway for a bathroom break)
The bus arrived at Pompei at 11:00, just as advertised in the brochure. We were reminded to be at the bus stop by 3:00, and let loose to explore. Our tour included transportation only, arranging a guide at the sight and entrance fees were to come out of our pockets. No sweat, the tour was still the best bargain for a day trip to Pompeii - the cost of a train ticket to Pompei from Rome cost $20 Euro more per person.
My in-laws had limited mobility we decided to explore the ruins on our own. Grabbing an early lunch, at the cafeteria/ restaurant just past the Forum, we parted ways.
Early in our exploring, we realized our huge mistake. Hiring a guide at the entrance is essential, in my opinion. There are no streets signs on the buildings, or anywhere else, so we were left to wander, aimlessly uncertain, in an area that spanned a couple miles. Not a great feeling.
We made a beeline for the Villa of Mysteries, gapped in amazement at the brilliant red frescoes that suffered little damage. Although the subject of the frescoes is hotly debated, the most common interpretation of the images is scenes of the initiation of a woman into a special cult of Dionysus, a mystery cult that required specific rites and rituals to become a member. With our photos safely stored we headed back to the main area of Pompei.
Wandering the cobblestone streets that had been buried under ash for nearly 2000 years we had a good laugh when we met fellow passengers looking just as confused. Stopped to chat with an interesting couple touring Europe for three months, and exchanged direction to the next house we hoped to find: House of Faun (a disappointment because the frescoes had been removed)
The traffic back to Rome was better than we expected, and we arrived back at before 7:00pm. Tired of piazza we grabbed a burger at MacDonalds at Termini station, flagged a taxi after the short break, and headed home exhausted.
Final thoughts: Avoid our mistake. Just pay for a guide. Why waste precious, holiday hours, hopelessly confused!
Wandering the cobblestone streets that had been buried under ash for nearly 2000 years we had a good laugh when we met fellow passengers looking just as confused. Stopped to chat with an interesting couple touring Europe for three months, and exchanged direction to the next house we hoped to find: House of Faun (a disappointment because the frescoes had been removed)
The traffic back to Rome was better than we expected, and we arrived back at before 7:00pm. Tired of piazza we grabbed a burger at MacDonalds at Termini station, flagged a taxi after the short break, and headed home exhausted.
Final thoughts: Avoid our mistake. Just pay for a guide. Why waste precious, holiday hours, hopelessly confused!
3 comments:
Loved the pictures. Pompeii one of the places on my list. Hire a guide - yes I would never have agreed with you until recently but if time is short a good guide is invaluable.
Pompei. I was obsessed with it for a few weeks as a child.
I can't wait to see where you take us next.
Pompeii was somewhere I always wanted to explore when I was a teenager. Also thought I'd be an archaeologist one day. Thanks for the views!
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