First Stop - Naples

So our first port was Naples and we took a short ride to the islands of Sorrento and Pompeii. The water was surprisingly clear, which I was not expecting at all.

These two pictures were taken from way up on the cliff, that's how clear it was.



We started at Sorrento and did an excursion called 'Taste of Sorrento', where we went to a farm-land that produces olive oil, wine and mozzarella cheese. We got to see how all were made.



Then we got to walk around the beautiful island and shop for a bit. It was Sooo beautiful and had beautiful trees and flowers.



All of the streets that you walk on are just tiny, tiny alleys that would have little restaurants off to the side.

The one behind Bryan is right off of the like 8-foot wide road that I was standing on.

Then of course they had their little open markets- which was just super strange to me.




After that little break, we went to Pompeii - the island that was completely covered by an eruption from Mt. Vesuvius in like 100 A.D. Behind these ruins is the remains of Mt. Vesuvius. It used to be just one large mountain and would peak where, if you drew two diagonal lines on each side, they would meet in the middle.



It still isn't fully excavated, but what they have uncovered so far is Huge!



These were their streets in the city.

They were really advanced and even had an underground sewer system. Not advanced enough, I guess, because whenever it would rain, the sewer system would back up and flood the streets. That is why in the next picture, you will see the three stones crossing the street, this is so they could cross without getting grossly dirty. Also, the stones are placed perfectly apart so that their chariots could fit through. If they were from out of town, they would have to use local chariots.


This house belonged to the richest man in Pompeii. The square in the roof was to let rainfall in, where the ground below would catch it and filter it. They would move the large stones on the side to dip their bucket in for the drinking water. Crazy!




While excavating, they would pour plaster into the spaces where decomposed things were. We got to see bodies, animals, vases and all kinds of other things. I could never fully express the feelings that you feel there. It is so powerful.





Next stop - Venice! That's for another day though. Although this is so awesome to re-visit, I am done for today. (=

European Cruise

Finally On the Cruise Ship!
We went on the Carnival Freedom.



We were on this ship for 14 days, with 3 days at sea and seven different ports. We were just in the inside cabin with no window or anything, but we didn't get sick of it at all. We had the most amazing time, I wouldn't trade anything for the world!

Here's our room:



And our little bathroom: