Capri and Sorrento

Our first day in Naples we boarded another boat in the pouring rain and sailed to Capri.  This was the only ugly weather day we had.  Not bad for a 28 day trip!  Our second day in Naples, the sun was out for most of the day...at least we got back to the ship before it started raining!

 The fort protecting the city of Naples.  I believe every island/port we visited in the Mediterranean had a fort or at least giant walls all seemingly built by the Venetians.  They were a well traveled people!

 

City of Naples - a mix of old and new.

Statue of Neptune

Looking back at the main Capri marina from the top of the mountain where the shops and hotels are.

Path back to the ocean.  We rode the cable car.

Tiny streets - typical of the islands.  The "cars" are a little bigger than an over-sized golf cart and used only for deliveries.

Example of local artist tile work...yes we brought some home!  Just not this big!

Back on the mainland, this is Sorrento.  Not many pictures worth sharing from today...

Another view of Sorrento. 

However, my next post will be about Pompeii.  This picture was taken from Capri looking back to Naples with Vesuvius in the background.  Amazing the mountain lost 50-60% of it's cone during the eruption.  Mind boggling...

The Pantheon

We made finally made it to our last full day in Rome.  Hard to believe it has taken me this long to write about AND so many posts.  I could have done it in one post BUT that would have been brutally long for everyone!

ANYWAY...we visited the Pantheon on our last day in Rome once again taking public transportation to meet up with our tour guide.  Our group had a total of 5 people in it - perfect size!!

Front entrance.  It is amazing how these ancient temples are in typical "modern" town squares.

Front obelisk.  One in front of every church.

Massive doors at the entrance.  These must be heavy and appear to be typical for Roman construction.

Front of the Pantheon. Mass is about to start as we visited on the Day of the Assumption of Mary.  The marble floors...beautiful!

Front altar.

While I didn't stick Robert in the picture for a size perspective, these had to be 8 foot tall...more really big candles...still used on special occasions.

The dome.

And the drain holes for the water when it rains through the hole in the dome.  Never thought about that issue but the Romans did!

Queen Margherita's tomb...everyone of our tour guides mentioned her and how the Margarita pizza is named after her and her creation. 

Raphael's tomb in the Pantheon.  It was interesting how we kept visiting famous leaders' and artists'tombs in the various churches.

Once we were finished with the Pantheon, we walked around the area and saw several other historic churches.  Unfortunately, my pictures didn't turn out well due to the no flash rule...

Exterior of the Hadrian temple now re-purposed...

Outside of Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola (St Ignatius' church)...look at how tiny the streets are.  I thought driving in the neighborhoods of Brisbane was tough.  This would be a nightmare...definitely good for a smart car...

Rome was fascinating.  I could spend months there visiting all of the ruins and learning of the history...but there's just too much other stuff to see!

Next stop: Naples!