Cruise Wrap Up

On the last evening of the cruise, I tried the Flowrider Surf simulator activity. After watching a video and signing away my life, I was ready to go. 

There were three ten to twelve year old boys in front of me who made it look quite easy. Finally, it was my turn. The attendant was very patient with me, having me start half way up. I laid on the boogie board as instructed, and pushed off the wall. The water kept kicking me back to the side wall. Finally, I pushed hard to get to the middle. That water pushed me so hard up to the back wall it slammed me into it quite hard.

That was enough for me before I hurt myself. It was much harder than I thought it would be. Well, all I can say is that at least I tried.  😅 

I did go down the water slide, and that was fun. Kevin opted out of these activities for fear he would injure his bad knee.

Some final thoughts on our 23 day back to back cruises. 

We had amazing weather. The 13 day Transatlantic crossing was a bit chilly with temperatures in the 60s and pretty windy. We had some rough seas one day, but nothing drastic. Just enough to make you walk a little crooked at times. The weather on the 10 day Mediterranean cruise was in the 70s every day and sunny. Fantastic!!

The service on board was excellent as were the activities. Always something to keep us as busy as we wanted to be. The entertainment was much better than most other cruises we've been on. A variety of acts, most of which were quite good.

The food was also very good. Especially, at the Windjammer buffet restaurant. It was so good, we only ate dinner in the main dining room about half the time.

We had such a good experience, that we booked another five day cruise next May from Los Angeles to Vancouver. 

Our trip back took two full days. We flew from Rome to JFK airport in New York. The city from above looked like it was in a dirty haze.

 We spent the night in a hotel near the airport because our next flight was the following morning at 9 am to Omaha. Lots of layover time in Chicago, so finally arrived in Omaha at 7 pm. 

We had a wonderful trip, but after being gone for 25 days, it was good to be back with family. We're enjoying some quality grandparent time!!

Pompeii and The Amalfi Coast, Italy

On May 25th we went on the final tour of this trip, and it was once again an incredible day. We docked at the city of Sorrento with a great view from our balcony. 

We started the tour by visiting a cameo shop. This part of Italy is known for the artistic cameos crafted by artists out of seashells. We saw a brief demonstration of how it is done.

Some of the tools used in the carving 

Next, we were led downstairs to the display room and bathrooms. One thing we learned quickly about Europe is that public restrooms are not readily available, and there is usually a fee. So, when you find a free one, use it.

Many different types of cameos were for sale at hefty prices. They are truly works of art.

Our next stop was the UNESCO World Heritage site at Pompeii. 

This city was completely buried by volcanic ash and rock when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. It is estimated that there were 20,000 people living there at the time in a flourishing, wealthy Roman city. They had no idea they were close to a dangerous volcano!

Seventeen years earlier there had been a major earthquake that destroyed many buildings, and about half of the population left at that time.

Excavation started in the 1600s, but was sporadic with lots of looting taking place. Serious work began in the 18th century and continues today. Funding is always an issue.

We entered through one of the remaining gates of the city. Pedestrian entry on the left, carts and carriages on the right.

The Forum was a huge area where people gathered for shopping,  socializing and public meetings. 

Along the back wall are stalls where shops would have been 

At one end of the Forum was Jupiter's Palace. He was the Roman sky god in charge of all life. The equivalent of Zeus in Greek mythology. 

Mount Vesuvius is in the background in the picture below, about seven miles away. It is still an active volcano, and considered one of the most dangerous in the world.

It last erupted in 1944, killing 26 people and displacing 12,000. Experts agree that it is overdue for a massive eruption. Glad it was quiet for our visit! 

Over 1,200 bodies have been found at the site. It appears most of them died of asphyxiation from the toxic gases. 😔  Many residents were able to flee to the sea.

The bodies were encapsulated by hardened ash. Archeologists were able to make casts by pouring plaster inside as the bodies had decomposed. About 86 bodies have been preserved in this way. Three of them were on display. The people were quite small.

You can see on the wall how the plaster has been removed or eroded

Notice the frescoes on the walls. Some have been found in very good condition. The ash preserved them very well. 

During the time before the eruption, the rock and brick walls all over would have been covered in plaster and painted. Many of the frescoes, statues and marble were looted years ago.

The following pictures is what it looked like as we walked along.

Pretty poppies were growing throughout the site

The main road

The white building in the back was built over the site, not knowing what was buried below and covers the center of the city.

Dozens of these fast food stalls have been uncovered. They put large terra cotta pots in the holes with a fire underneath to keep food warm.

There were many water fountains throughout the city for safe drinking water. Each fountain was decorated differently for reference points as the streets didn't have names.

The god Mercury on this one

This may look like a pizza oven, but its just a bakery oven. The Romans didn't have pizza because tomatoes didn't grow there. Tomatoes came later from the new world.

Next to the oven are mill stones for grinding flour. Animals or slaves would push attached wooden poles to turn the top stone.

One part of town was for lodging foreigners who came to the port for trading. Not too comfortable looking, and a very short bed platform. There was evidence of prostitution carved onto one of the walls. No picture, too graphic.

They had no sewer system, so raw sewage would run down the streets. The large stepping stones in the road were for people to get across. The gaps between the stones were wide enough for carriages to get through. 

The wealthy section of town had multi room houses with two stories. More frescoes and courtyards with fountains. The entry foyer had an open skylight for catching rain in a cistern below.

Original lead pipes were found as well as an aquaduct system which proved they had running water. Luckily, the water was heavy with limestone minerals which coated the inside of the pipes, so they probably did not suffer lead poisoning. 

The hill in the background of this picture is an area that still needs to be excavated. It gives you perspective of how deep the city was buried, about 25 feet.

There have been two theaters uncovered. This one has been restored, and is being used for concerts and shows. A few years ago Madonna rented it for her birthday party at 250,000 euros.

This is a door in the gladiator housing area next to the Forum area. The doors are only a little over 5 feet tall. 

Excavation continues as you can see the scaffolding in the background. The flowers were so pretty.

Pompeii was such an interesting and amazing place. After our morning exploration, we had a yummy lunch at an Italian restaurant, and then headed back to the port for a boat ride along the Amalfi Coast, which is another UNESCO World Heritage site.

Another amazingly beautiful part of the world. I don't know how these people manage to build their homes and live on these cliffs, but what a view!! Properties sell for millions!

City of Amalfi

Click on any picture to enlarge it so you can see some of the houses perched on the cliffs.

We got off the boat to explore the city of Amalfi along with thousands of other tourists. It was jam packed!

This area produces the liquor Limoncello.

Arches are the cemetery. Medieval watchtower on top.

Lemons used to make Limoncello

Santa Rosa pastry, rich and tasty 

Cathedral in main square 

Fountain in main square 

One more view of our ship, Voyager of the Seas. 

And our farewell towel design. 

This was another fabulous day, one of many!