European Tour: Sorrento, Italy

The first stop on our "Southern Trip" was Sorrento.

We jumped right into the sight-seeing by heading to famous Pompeii. We got on the train and headed straight there after dropping our bags off in the hotel. The first thing you see when you walk into Pompeii is that there are still houses and structures standing. As we walked through and our tour guide explained the things to us, I was in awe that the Romans had come up with all of these things that seemed like "modern" inventions.

Pompeii

The last picture on the top right is the grooves they made for the chariot wheels. The next picture (first picture on the second row) is remains of things that have been demolished. Second picture is the amphitheater where Frank Sinatra and Pink Floyd have both performed. The third picture is how they marked where the "Brothels" were. If there was a penis on the sidewalk, you knew where you could go...they also had pictures on the wall that demonstrated the positions and how much they were. The first picture in the third row is looking down the streets of Pompeii, you can still see where the houses lined the streets. The second picture, third row shows the crosswalks of Pompeii and the grooves for the chariots not to get stuck in the mud. The third and fourth pictures show actual bodies that were preserved by the ash. Most of the people of Pompeii didn't die of lava but it was from the ash in the air and the damage it did to their lungs. And the last row of pictures comes from our impromptu photo shoot (yes, we had lots of those) when we were lolly gagging around, waiting to get back on the train.

Positano

Once we got back from Pompeii, we changed into our swimsuits and made our to the bus that took us to Positano. It's a beach town, that sits on a cliff-side. After the long bus ride, we made our way down to the rocky beach where we got bottles of Corona from a local pub, sat on the beach and enjoyed some quiet time. Well, as quiet as it gets when 20 people are hanging out. After the beach, we climbed back up all the stairs, and the big hill to get back on the bus.

The next day we all loaded onto a big boat the took us across the water to Capri. Whatever you have heard about Capri, it's absolutely breath-taking...it's been used as a resort spot ever since the Roman times and definitely for good reason. Capri is the main part of the island, but you can take a lift up to Anacapri, which is the highest point that overlooks the water. We did that, enjoyed the wonderful views (and of course took pictures). Then, we made our way down to the beaches of Capri. Which are rocky and no sand. Imagine the comfort of trying to lay down on jagged rocks...but the scenery made it all better.

Capri

From left to right, and top to bottom...

Picture 1: Steph and I, on the boat to Capri. It was a little chilly.

Picture 2: Standing on Capri 

Picture 3: View of the water 

Picture 4: Town of Capri 

Picture 5: the lift up to Anacapri 

Picture 6: view from Anacapri

Picture 7: The boys on the top of Anacapri

Picture 8: the girls on Anacapri

Picture 9: Most of the Riva group on top of Anacapri

Picture 10: Kathryn and I on Anacapri

Picture 11: Megan, Kathryn and I on Anacapri

Picture 12: Molly, Me, Katie, Kathryn and Steph on Anacapri

Picture 13: View from Anacapri

Picture 14: Kathryn, Molly and Me

Picture 15: On the way down on the lift

Picture 16: the beaches of Capri

Picture 17: beach bar

Picture 18: laying on the beach

Picture 19: Kathryn and Steph on the beach

Picture 20: View from the beach

After our long day out in the sun, G-Rod gathered us back up to go to dinner and then set us loose for the night. We went to a local bar that was a few steps away from the hotel and hung out for a bit...then went to bed to get ready for our trek to Rome.

 To be continued...Next Up: European Tour: Rome