Hong Kong, France, Italy, England: Napoli (Pompei & Vesuvius)

Lots of rain overnight, plus fireworks to celebrate both Naples win over Milan, in Naples, as well as (at midnight) the beginning of “Santo Patrono, San Gennaro” - Patron Saint of Naples , and a half public holiday.

When we woke up, Antonella had already left for the airport, and it was completely overcast and still raining – the first rain we’ve had since we’ve been here.

I love Naples and Pompei, and ever since I began to organise this trip with the girls, one of the things I’ve really wanted to do is to show them Pompei and (if possible), take them up to the summit of Mt Vesuvius. However, with the Vesuvius under cloud, the rain pouring down and the forecast not great, it was all looking very unlikely! By 10:30am, and a break in the weather, Marco, the girls and I decided to give Pompei a go, leaving the boys at home (day off school) with Francesca.

Marco’s family business sells souvenirs and postcards to the people who sell souvenirs and postcards to the public – on our arrival at Pompei, Marco’s client ushered us through the exit gate, with tour guide map and book. The sun came out and we spent a good three hours wandering the streets. Pompei is an amazing place, I love it, and so did the girls. Claudia wanted to look around every single corner, we took hundreds of photos (no surprises there,) the girls put on a show in the theatre, and were amazed at how big and established the city was.

As we left, we were offered lunch (beautiful buffalo mozzarella, tomato, prosciutto and basil sandwiches) by Marco’s clients and then headed for the Vesuvius. Once again, we were sent up at no cost and began our climb of about 400 metres to the summit from the car park. It was fantastic – we all loved it. The climb wasn’t that bad and in fact the girls, even after three hours of walking around the streets of Pompei literally ran (without exaggeration) the entire way up, chasing eachother and giggling hysterically. The views were amazing, both into the crater as well as across Naples, Ercolano, Pompei, Sorrento and across to the Island of Capri.

Home for a quiet afternoon and fabulous dinner with just the seven of us. Gorgeous,and beautifully behaved boys, the children all got on brilliantly. We have been SO spoilt. I'm feeling very lucky with all of the wonderful friends I have here in Italy - the girls are very happy and we are all having a very busy and truly amazing time.

(more photos on facebook!)

Vesuvius this morning, under cloud

Pompei! And 2000+ year old carriage tracks carved into the stone

The girls, playing shop

Our guide - Marco

Ava

Marco, Ava and Claudia, heading into the main commercial square

Baths

A dog...

View from the main commercial square to the Vesuvius

Clouds - jumping across the stones

And Pops

In the theatre

Girls putting on a show

The Amphitheatre

Street - with 'crossing' stones, so that people could cross the street in the rain and carriages could pass over the top

Climbing Il Vesuvio

The girls, with Naples and the bay in the distance

Monte Somma (the original Vulcano, on the left, from which the Vesuvius was born) and the beginning and path of the most recent (1944) eruption, which destroyed half of the suburb where March and Francesca live