Day in Pompeii

Mt Vesuvius' most famous eruption took place in 79 A.D. when it covered the ancient city of Pompeii.  The excavation area is immense!
We walked 'n walked but still only saw a small portion of it. 
For this trip + at this time of year, we were practically the only folks there.  :~)

Entrance to the city.

Note:  Mt Vesuvius in back ground. Original shape was a cone.

Roman Baths.... decorated with carved statues + mosaic tiles.

  a Bakery !  :~)

Road ways with worn cart tracks.

Sorrento ~ 2

Sorrento, with an original area of 12 blocks long x 6 blocks deep, has an impressive holiday spirit. 

Seems every building, street and plant has been outlined 

or decorated with lights.

Each square has a lighting theme.

Nightly bands, parades, entertainers...

A great holiday scene with families walking about
....just enjoying it all.

...including the outdoor street "puppet" show.  :~)

Sorrento

                            for a few days ...

We docked ....

.......in charming Sorrento, Bay of Naples.

Looking up to Sorrento, from port dock area. See that opening
on right side of building on the hill.  That is where the road   below goes up..

This is that narrow 2 way road as viewed from top (in town)
Yes, it is a 2 way ...just no divider line.

Naples....

We have ended our Mediterranean cruise 

with our arrival in Naples, this morning.

What a surprise to find this old relic
sitting along the cruise terminal !

:~)

We did a port area walk'about and saw
 the Galleria Shopping arcade, est. 1855. Note the glass dome in first pix.

This Fort along the harbor, was used as a prison.

After lunch on the NCL Jade, we walked off, then turned left  ....
 and got on this Hydro foil to Sorrento.    Sooooo easy!!

This was the view of Mt. Vesuvius enroute to Sorrento.

Istanbul ~ #2

The Alexander Sarcophagus ~ 4th c. B.C.

...this is the view detail, with some of the original color. 

Istanbul ~ #1

Of course, we went to the Spice Market... 
and their Grand Bazaar.

Of course... we had Turkish coffee.

and ....Turkish delights !

The highlight, you ask???  It was the Blue Mosque !

Ground level....

....the upper dome interior!   Fabulous! Tiles !! 

Topkapi Palace and Harem apts....

It is now a huge museum area.

And... the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul's most impressive museum. It is so tall that our Statue of Liberty will fit upright in it's dome. Built....A.D. 537

We stayed 2 days in this fast paced city. 
We looked down from our verandah ..amazed at the commuter traffic.  
The water crafts moved from Asian Istanbul over to Europe Istanbul.
 It was a 24/7 show ....with dozens of boats zipping about. 

These little boats sold only "fried fish sandwiches".
The fish were caught on the Gelata Bridge aka the main roadway 
from old town to the new town.

Fishing, along with pedestrian, car + tram traffic on the bridge top level. The lower level is all shops + restaurants. The commuter boats shuttle on both sides of the bridge, and /or go under the bridge. 
Sure enjoyed watching all the activity right from our verandah.