Why Build on Flat Land when you can Build in the Heavens?

Day 176- 182

With Maxi being admitted to the emergency room and on the critical list, we had 5 days to kill and headed to the very steep and narrow Amalfi Coast. 

It was a blessing in disguise losing Maxi as we navigated our way through some of the windiest and narrowest roads we have come across to date. With side mirror tucked in on our rental car we checked into the town of Minori and then spent the next couple of days exploring this spectacular coast.

Ohh....and to the travel reporters on 'Getaway' and 'The Great Outdoors' who continue to go on about the Great Ocean Road being one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. You really need to get out a bit more.

After Maxi was given the all clear we then made our way quickly down the western shores of Italy, finally arriving in the town of Tropea before we made our way to the home of The Mafia.

The Pompeii Theatre. The many parking restrictions of Pompeii had forced us to drive right down the back of the ancient town and we somehow wandered in through the gate where they weren't charging admission. What a stroke of good luck!

Walking through the ancient streets of Pompeii. After a couple of years visiting many Roman ruins, this is the one that you really only need to (and should) go to. Just amazing.

A very awkwardly placed tap by the Romans?

Despite tonnes of ash falling after the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, a couple of houses managed to retain their roofs and the frescoes within them.

The Forum at Pompeii with Mt Vesuvius lurking in the background.

Many of the artefacts from Pompeii are maintained in the National Museum in Naples, however, there were a couple on display here - including this poor bloke who was caught napping when the volcano blew its top.

Water/Wine Vessels from 79AD.

Interior of the Roman Baths of Pompeii. 

Inside of a Roman bakery where they ground the wheat and also baked the bread.

It had been a while since Luke had a bath, so as they say ' when in Rome'.

Ancient sump destroyers. Not sure whether they actually had sumps in their cars those days though?

Google Translate says that this is the 'workshop of Livonians firm'.

Inside one of the houses where the roof remained intact. Many of the houses were rendered so the Romans could decorate their interiors with these amazing works of art.

Maxi had broken down so we headed to the Amalfi Coast and spent four nights camped out in Minori. It was quite an unsuspected, yet welcome change being able to cook in a full kitchen and use the toilet without worrying when it needed to be emptied next. Ahhh...the simple pleasures in life.

Breakfast on our private patio in Minori.

Looking over the town of Minori, as we headed out on a 16km hike to the town of Amalfi. I'll probably never understand why, but the Italians love to build in the most inaccesible and inconvenient places known to man.

One of the many churches we passed along the way. They're quite keen on the odd church those Italians...

This store was obviously marketing to the English speaking nurses in town.

Looking out from the top of Ravello. The very 'new age' building in the foreground is the Ravello Concert Hall, which stands out like dogs balls among the pastel coloured buildings of the Amalfi Coast. Not sure who gave that one approval in the local council?

The town of Atranti - showing the very narrow, delicate and blind roads that the Amalfi is so famous for. Look at a car in this region and they generally only have one side mirror.

Heading up a huge flight of stairs as we left the town of Atranti. Little did we know that the stairs would only get worse. At the end of the day our GPS told us that we ascended 2000 metres (and the same in descent) - like going up and down Mt Hotham and a bit more.

The Cathedral of Amalfi.

Taking a breather between Atranti and making our way back to Ravello. Not the best land for having a bit of 'kick-to-kick'.

Although we were on the tip of winter, the flowers in this neck of the woods continued to put on an amazing display.

The town of Positano. This is a great example of Italians desire to build on top of one another. Not a inch of land can be seen as they formulate this housing Jenga block.

Panoramic of the town of Positano.

Heading back through Ravello, where the leaves are only just starting to turn.

Despite some average days in Campania, we headed further south and arrived into the town of Tropea. Although Sicily gets the brunt of the 'Mafia' stigma, it's actually the region of Calabria where much of the current day dodginess goes on. In fact, it's said that much of Australia's 'mafia' crime may come from the Calabrian coast.

The church of Isola Bella in the town of Tropea.

Enjoying a bit of sun after a few days of inclement weather. The locals looked at us a bit weird when we were walking around town in shorts and thongs and especially when Luke jumped in the ocean for a swim.

Did the Italians forecast global warming a lot earlier than the rest of the world?

You wouldn't want to have a problem sleep walking if you lived in these apartments.