MALTA
This is as close to Malta that we got. After hours of waiting for Malta health officials to clear entry into their country, we were denied entry and the ship left for the next port.
The port was surrounded by high walls.
The weather for December 26th was so warm, they opened the pool roof.
As we left the port, we noticed the elevator from the port level up to the town of Valletta.
Our captain chose to take a scenic cruise around the Island of Malta.
Passing a few islands after leaving Malta.
SICILY (MESSINA), ITALY
This was our first port call in Italy. To enter Italy, we were required to show our Covid Vaccination cards as well a requirement that we could only tour with a guide. No independent exploring was permitted. We opted for an eight and a half hour Mt. Etna and Taormina Tour. The tour left three hours late due to Italy not accepting the results of the PCR and required all passengers to take an antigen test in addition.
As Pompeii was buried under many feet of material, bodies were encased in layers of hardened pumice and ash. Scientists found that their decayed corpses left voids. They injected plaster into the cavities, creating plaster casts of the impression in the ash.
Overlooking the city of Messina from our balcony.
The Bus took us to near the top of Mt. Etna, which is the largest active volcano in Europe.
Mt. Etna has erupted more than 130 times.
Just before dark we visited the cliff side town of Taormina.
We were supposed to see an ancient Roman Theater, but because of the Covid test delay the theater had closed for the day.
The Piazza del Duomo
The view from Taormina sits on a rocky terrace overlooking the Ionian Sea.
NAPLES
In the port of Naples, we had two tours. The four-hour early morning tour was to Pompeii, City of Beauty and Ruin.
Wall surrounding the 160-acre city of Pompeii
This large city was frozen in time when buried by 20 feet of ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.
Ampitheater
The amphitheater looks like the day it was buried.
The cobble-stone streets were empty. Tourism is way down in Europe.
There were even street signs at the intersections in this town of 12,000 people.
These are vats that held food in the marketplace.
Roman Fast Food
The garden from a wealthy merchant's home.
The paint on the walls were preserved.
The Forum with Mount Vesuvius in the background.
Large store of artifacts recovered from under the ash.
Public Weight and Measure Table in the Marketplace
We saw a small section of Pompeii and then it was time to return to the ship.
We took an afternoon tour of Scenic Naples. It seemed like we spent the afternoon in a traffic jam. We wish we could have spent the afternoon at Pompeii.
A medieval castle built in 1279.
Scenic overlook of the harbor.
Sun setting with view of Mount Vesuvius.
2 comments:
What a beautiful area. It’s hard to believe those buildings have been standing that long.
Glad you made it back safe and healthy.
Glad that you guys had to chance to get out and cruise!! Travel these days certainly has some challenges, doesn't it??
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