Day 4 Wednesday 24th August 2022 - Napoli and Pompeii and Sorrento

We woke to a near perfect morning with our ship berthing at 6.00am and the local ferries and small inter city and island ferries all busy and water traffic buzzing across the water.

It was an early start but this was to be a special start and wanted to be off the Epic and catching a Taxi, if possible from the port to Napoli Central Station. so following a n enjoyable breakfast we aimed to leave the ship and traverse throuigh the extensive and large terminal building to catch a taxi before long queues were established.

This worked well. and we had exited the front of the International Cruise Terminal by 8.40 am. The line for taxis was not too long, wh had an assertive and aggressive Italian Taxi driver who tooted, pushed, and passed everything got us there as nervous wrecks, charged Euro 14, and was off in no time.

It took us a little longer to find a separate ticket area for Sorrento and then purchase day tickets which would allow us to visit Pompeii and then come back 2-3 hours later and travel the additional 35 minutes from Pompeii to Sorrento where we would walk and then have a seafood lunch down near the ferries and hovercraft. We aimed to be back on the Ship by 16.00 pm with the Ship due to Depart at 5.45 pm after an all on board at 16.30p pm

Our train trip was delayed as a scheduled train was initially delayed and then canceled and when the next arrived it was extremely crowded.

We purchased tickets for entry to Pompeii at about 10.30 am and then we walked through the security and entrance by 10.40 am. We proceeded to walk through, take photos and then sit. There has been considerably more work undertaken to expose more archeological finds including another large amphitheater. however, the additional areas, with the thousands of pushy tourists and aggressive Italian guides make a visit a challenge.

Jeanette has been struggling and was experiencing pain in her knee and the weather was hot. After about an hour and a half, we decided that she should sit, whilst Ken walked to more recently opened areas, took photos, etc.

We had enjoyed a great time in Pompeii but were delighted to exit the property and walk back to catch the train to Sorrento, a trip of about 35 minutes. It remains an amazing place and to see all that was built over 2000 years ago! simply awe-inspiring.

The train arrive on schedule and almost emptied out about a thousand people before we alighted and then enjoyed a trip with almost no passengers along the coast. We departed at Sorrento Station a bustling mini hub with taxis, busses, and then all sorts of people. We decided to walk down to the port following a lengthy walk along the main street past every high-end shop and boutique.

Unbeknown to us, the only way down to the port area was via stairs and it amounted to close to 225 stairs down what was like a cliff area. Definitely not good for Jeanette, but she bravely took to the challenge. Sorrento is as you see it in the tourist magazines a bright noisy upmarket tourist mecca, above a stunning beach are and with a wonderful Ferry port.

We made it down with much cursing from both of us, then went to a restaurant for a seafood lunch of pizza or pancakes and drinks. We aimed to catch the 3.15 pm Hydr foil back to Naples.

The lunch was in a superb open air restaurant overlooking the bay. simply amazing. Had great service , excellent food and wonderful scenery. We had eaten here on a previous business. We both commented that 2- 2 1/2 half hours at Pompeii is now beyond us.