Friday 16 June 2006
Highlights: The buried city of Pompeii, the strong local drink – limoncello

Setting off at 8 am I began the 3 day Italian Explorer Tour with 51 other people (sold out).  The first stop was the ancient city of Pompeii which in 79AD was buried under ash and dust after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.   This eruption was only of ash and toxic gases, unfortunately this meant that the 2,000 people who died did so by being buried alive and slowly poisoned (the next day) by the gases.   The site is in a great condition as a result.

Pompeii was a major trading port during it’s time.   There was over 20 bakeries and 30 fast food places.   BTW   A lot of buildings used an interesting symbol for good luck, check out the photo!

We are staying at a camp site in Sorrento which some people on the tour found a little rough.   The group had an organised tour of the city plus diner.   I should mention that  Danny from earlier on my BusAbout travels was also on this tour.

During the tour we got some free shots of a local drink called limoncello, this drink would kill many things.   Lemons are a big part of the culture in Southern Italy and they grow to the size of a football (I’m not kidding here).