June 12, Naples

Another hot Mediterranean day dawns and we are in Naples. Stephania meets us at the pier and takes us up Mt Vesuvius so we youngsters can climb some more. We arrive at 8:30, it opens at 9. We enjoy the view and the friendly dogs until we can pay our way and start the long dusty and steep trail up to the crater. Sneakers are good here, it is a dirt path with pebbles. We are greeted at the top by a knowledgeable guide, and souvenir stands. Isabel is happy to reward herself for a tough climb with a necklace of volcanic rock for 4 Euro. Scientists from the Volcano station are rappeling down into the crater to take samples. We head back down as the tourist buses drop their hordes onto the trial. Many of these tourists have inadequate footwear. Stephania takes us to Pompeii, where our private guide Lucia takes us around for 2-3 hours. Luckily Stephania had umbrellas to shield my parents from the ever present and blazing sunshine. The baths were amazing to see. Gelato cooled us off before we arrived at the House of the Faun. The wild dog situation is vastly improved here, our guide explains the Humane society has stepped in. I am afraid for the ruins, as they are exposed to the elements. They need a dome to protect them. The mosaics are gorogeous. Next we obtain cold drinks and souvenirs and embark on our scenic drive to Sorrento. Stephania arranges reservations for a delicious lunch of pasta and pizza, with a gift of a shot of lemoncello from the owner of the restauarant. Sorrento gelato (nutello, banana, and chocolate chip are all voted winners) is sampled on the way back to the van and we are whizzing past lemon trees and olive gardens along the coast back to Naples and our ship. We appreciate the drivers from Rome in Limo, and she presents us with a bottle of Lemoncello as a gift.