04-20-2026 Walks

This was an interesting tourist day. We had tickets to get into Pompeii when it opened at 9:00, so we got up early and were walking to the train station before 8;30. Train was crowded, but we were able to get two of the last seats together. As one would expect, the entrance was crowded. I thought it might be less so, given it was a Monday, but no. It took a while for the opening crowd to get through the entrance gates, and then we were in the compound. Highlights included:

Temple of Apollo - worship area

Baslilca - hall of justice, with two naves separated from central hall by brick columns, similar to future church designs

Central Forum - main gathering place, open area with shops to the east

Temple of Jupiter - aligned with Mt Vesuvius in the distance, head of old statue of Jupiter visible

Forum Baths - very cool and well-preserved, with dressing room and cold, medium, and hot bath areas

House of the Tragic Port - with mosaic tile work showing Cave Canum (around here is where we started to run into tour group crowds)

House of the Faun - largest house in Pompeii, with cool little bronze statue reproduction, nice grounds, some fine mosaic reproduction as well (Alexander vs Darius)

House of the Small Fountain

House of the Large Fountain - right next door

House of the Vettii - very popular spot, owned by two brothers, with beautiful wall frescoes, some of them erotic

House of the Golden Cupids - I couldn't find the statues here, pretty internal garden

House of the Wounded Bear - with cool "HAVE" mosaic in front

Amphitheater - oldest known one from the Roman Empire, could hold up to 20000 people

Plaster casts - created by filling voids created when people were burned in the lava and ash from the eruption

There was more to see, but we had reached the end of the incomplete Rick Steves audio tour, and Ann was ready to leave. We walked back to the train station and got on a very crowded train to Sorrento, standing room only for about 2/3 of the trip. Ann found us a sandwich shop that was open in the afternoon (I had my first Aperol Spritz). Food was a little weird, quite messy. Then we went back for a rest in the afternoon (<!>). Evening was quiet, we walked to the market, got some curry rice for dinner and food for breakfast. I spent some time packing up gear into my backpack for the Amalfi Coast ride. Agreed to meet with Ann during the ride. To bed fairly early.