Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas


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  • World Trip 2006: Day 82: Amalfi and Naples to Rome, Italy

    Sunday 18 June 2006
    Highlights: The beautiful Amalfi coast seen from the edge of cliffs

    Another early start (7 am) which was necessary to avoid the many tourist who drive on this coast.   We followed the coastal road to the towns of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.   Luckily we had a good driver otherwise we’d end up of the cliff and fall to our death.   The truth is I’m not sure how the bus got around the corners as I don’t think I would have got a car around them.

    There is no way townships would be built in the positions of these ones today, they are way too remote.   Some of the hotels cost 600 euro a night, others more.   I took the opportunity to get a much needed haircut in Amalfi and let these tourist towns take some much need money from me when I eat at them (very expensive but good food).

    We also stopped in Naples on the way back.   I have to say that I now have a worst list for European cities.   We visited the world’s first mall (thanks Naples) but every shop was closed (it was Sunday and this is Catholic Italy).   The smog is overwhelming and the city incredibly dirty.  The problems at Naples actually make the views in the rest of the Italian Explorer not as good as the ‘mist’ (aka smog) comes down to these sites as well.

    If you don’t think humans are killing the environment visit this city.   Arriving back in Rome I managed to catch the second half of the Australia versus Brazil World Cup match.  While Brazil scored twice I thought Australia played well.   Getting into my room I found I had the 3rd bed, the high & difficult climb, oh well it’s only for 2 nights.

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 81 – Isle of Capri, Italy

    Saturday 17 June 2006
    Highlights: Stunning view on the Isle of Capri

    An early start (7.30 am) and we were on a ferry to the Isle of Capri.   This Isle has been home to Roman Emperors since 30 AD and is now home to very wealthy individuals.   The Isle is incredible, the views are stunning.   We explored the Isle for the whole day taking in both townships (Capri and Anacapri).   The rich and the shameless are at play on this Isle.   Taking the chairlift up to the highest point make the Isle seem more incredible if that was possible.

    After walking down the Phoenician Stairways (882 steps, 40 minutes and sore legs) Danny, Ben and myself went swimming on the local ‘beach’.   This beach didn’t really have sand but instead rocks and people just play on them (they hurt my feet a little bit).   The water however is great (cold but very refreshing) and the water extra salty for some reason.

    I end the day at the campsite talking to my fellow travellers into the night about their adventures and life in general, at great day.

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 80 – Pompeii and Sorrento, Italy

    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).

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 79 – Rome, Italy

    Thursday 15 June 2006
    Highlights: Relaxing by a pool

    A day spent around the pool and working out my options for the China leg of my trip after I got an e-mail informing me the company had cancelled my original tour.   I’ll now be doing a shorter and much more basic trip which will result in me getting back to Australia one week earlier than planned (29 August).   These things happen unfortunately.   I also got time to speak to Lana and my Mum which was good.

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 78 – Rome, Italy

    Wednesday 14 June 2006
    Highlights: San Giovanni Church, old Rome City Wall

    Today was so very hot, I felt the smog of the city for the first time, that I cut my time in the city down to only a few hours.   I did however visit San Giovanni Church, the official seat of the Pope as ‘Bishop of Rome’ and the former headquarters of the Catholic Church before the Vatican.

    The Church was the first Basilica built in the city for the Catholic Church in the 4th century and is very impressive.   I also visited a section of the old city wall.   After experiencing the Roman siesta (things closed during the middle of the day) I headed back to the safety of the campsite pool and stayed there until I watched the Germany’s beat Poland on the big screen.

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 77 – Rome, Italy

    Tuesday 13 June 2006
    Highlights: The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon

    On this very hot day I set out to visit Ancient Rome via another tour (you need to do a tour to understand the ruins).   This meant a start at the Colosseum which is massive (as you would expect), looks of tourists, and amazing structure were lots of Christians and gladiators died.

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    We moved up to the Roman Forum which is where all the important events of ancient Rome occurred.   I visited Julius Caesar’s burial site and the Rome Senate (the facade has been removed but inside it is still good).   Walking up to Capitoline Hill, which was designed by Michelangelo, the group had to wait for some people who struggled with the stairs (it takes a while to climb).   It is amazing that city officials work in such grand buildings.

    A highlight of the tour was a visit to Trevi Fountain (Fontana de Trevi) this fountain is enormous and dominates the piazza.   Neptune’s chariot is being led by Tritons (seahorses).   We also visited the Pantheon (Hall of the Gods) which was converted into a church in 606 AD and was a result survived the middle ages (a lot of old Roman sites were destroyed for building material except those made into Churches).   We finished in the Piazza Navona which used to be a track for the ancient races, these days artists paint and vendors sell to tourist, very beautiful.

    The fountain ‘Fontana del Moro’ is a highlight designed by Bernini in the 17th Century.   Back at the Campsite we celebrated Natalie’s 21st birthday with a diner at the local restaurant (my pizza wasn’t great).

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 76 – Rome, Italy and The Vatican, Vatican City State

    Monday 12 June 2006
    Highlights: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s amazing ‘Book of Genesis’, Raphael’s genius seen in ‘School of Athens, St Peter’s Basilica, Piazza San Pietro

    Today was my tour of the Vatican City which officially is the world’s smallest country (no passport stamp unfortunately).   We had to wait close to 2 hours to get inside for the security search (my pocket knife made it in somehow) but it is definitely worth it.

    The tour starts with the Vatican Museums and they are outstanding.   A fair percentage of the art is surprisingly from before Christ so therefore there are few  Christian paintings but instead pagan, Greek and obviously Roman scenes.   It would be hard to value the museum (check out my photos of the hall ways) but it would be virtually impossible to purchase this kind of artwork (not even Bill Gates has enough money).

    Raphael’s painting of the ‘School of Athens’ is pure genius.   It includes the greats from the fields of science, mathematics and other fields.   You also see Jews, Muslims and other non-Christians in the painting as the point of the painting was of people learning Gods mysteries (different story today however).

    While you can take photos in most places in Vatican City the Sistine Chapel is totally different.   You can’t even speak and you must be covered up (and this was a very hot day).   Michelangelo’s painting of the ‘Book of Genesis’ on the roof is stunning; you just have to see it to believe it.   Pagan and Jewish figures appear in this painting as well, this was created at point in time when the Pope saw Jews and Pagans as the foundation of the Church, very much a different story just 20 years later.   The Sistine Chapel (Pope’s church BTW) is where the College of Cardinals recently met and elected Benedict 16 as the Catholic leader.

    As good as the Sistine Chapel is St Peter’s Basilica is in a league by itself.   The Dome which was completed in 1570 is 119 high and is still the highest building in Rome (so no high-rises).   The high altar is where the Pope and only the Pope can say mass.   There are at least 8 other altars for smaller masses.   You can take photos with flash but the place is so incredibly large and has shade and natural light everywhere it is very hard to get good shots to demonstrate the size of this place.  Finally I finished in the Piazza San Pietro which is where the Pope addresses his flock and new Pope’s come out on the balcony.   The Obelisk in the square was taken from Egypt over 3,000 years ago (it is older than this however).

    I would strongly recommend a visit to the Vatican to anyone who visits Rome.

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 75 – Venice to Rome, Italy

    Sunday 11 June 2006
    Highlights: Watching World Cup match on the big screen

    Today it was noticeable that the temperature is getting hotter for this travel day to Rome.

    Our Rome campsite is similar to Venice however this time we have an independent and therefore much cheaper supermarket next door which will keep costs down.

    As we got in too late to go into the city I spent the night watching the World Cup on the big screen which was a lot of fun with a huge group cheering and singing.  I think I’m going to like my extended Rome stay.

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 74 – Venice, Italy

    Saturday 10 June 2006
    Highlights: Walking around the Venice countryside, relaxing by a pool

    Having seen what I wanted in Venice today I walked around the Venice countryside for a few hours and eventually found myself back at the campsite pool.   Life is very hard some days.

    Unfortunately they put someone in my room for the night so have to share tonight.

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 73 – Venice, Italy

    Friday 9 June 2006
    Highlights: Gondola ride around Venice, Rialto Bridge, Torre dell Drologio

    What a great day.   Finally I experienced a warm day in Europe (I’m guessing around 24) and today I had the pleasure of exploring this marvellous city with five wonderful women (Natalie, Bernie, Melissa, Amy and Sally).  What a great way to spend the day on the floating city of Venice.

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