Strangeblue on 13/2/2007 at 02:27

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not forgotten, lazy bum. *poke, jab*

Scots Taffer on 13/2/2007 at 03:23

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I stayed in Sorrento, a couple of hours south of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and visited both sites on guided tours the first time around - which I'd estimate roughly covers 10% of Pompeii and 50% of Herculaneum during their 5-6 hour tours (Herculaneum is much, much smaller than Pompeii but more than compensates by the level of detail and preservation available). You could wander around Pompeii for days, I'd imagine, depending on how deep you wanted to get lost in the naunces of architecture and so on - it's vast, there are streets upon streets. I revisited both sites again and again and my wife and I wandered around ourselves, easily spending another 24 hours in both sites over all the visits. I'd say you can see a good chunk in one day, and see the other big spots that you missed on another - there are several "highlights" and different tours select different routes, you'll definitely miss out one or two sights if you do purely tours. I'd do one tour and then come back if there's anything specifically you wanted to see. I recommend the tours for the local knowledge and little tales of history they sprinkle throughout.

Stand-outs were the Vicolo del Lupanare (brothel, or wolfffffhouse), Teatro Grande (an amphitheatre of some size), Pompeii Palestra (an exercise yard for the gladiator-types), and Thermopolium (their variation on a bar). There are other notable exhibits, including the bodies of those caught in the pyroclastic flow, several murals in excellent condition in otherwise poorly preserved buildings, and several rooms in noble houses that just capture this ancient glory that we can really only build a picture from in our minds.

It's sad and yet somewhat overwhelming that apparently the explorable confines of Pompeii represents less than a third of what has been excavated, but has been cordoned off in the interests of preservation.

Shayde on 13/2/2007 at 06:49

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My (then) virgin sensibilities faced a huge shock here. Each tiny cubicle has a painting above the door depicting the act offered inside. I suppose each generation likes to think itself innovative but those people had some serious kink/ flexibility to them.

Shayde on 13/2/2007 at 11:34

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I think most of my shock came from the extremely limited experience of my 16 year old self. Add the awe I felt at the place in general and it made for a memorable experience.

Plus I get to brag that I climbed mount Vesuvius. The only thing up there were a plethora of glitter-covered-Jesus-statues but still a gloat-worthy experience.

Shayde on 13/2/2007 at 11:55

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In this story the hare fucks the tortoise up the ass.

My edit doesn't show and yours does. neenerneenerneener :p