Rush hour in the ruins

Lovely dinner in Oriveto

With some trepidation we get back in the car and drive away from the Amalfi coast. Its like being in a xbox game, travelling along the cliff edge going around the corners and avoiding all the cars. We had one spot where we had to back up to let a bus go around, and a motor bike squeezed in front of us and got a finger wag from the bus driver. Once onto the autostrada it was plain sailing. A three lane highway.

Gina the GPS lead us off at the right exit and we arrive at Pompei. It’s a balmy 38 degrees as we enter. OMG, we are actually at the best preserved Roman site ever, this is much better than an episode of Time Team. There are columns, walls, frescos and mosaics all uncovered by intrepid archeologists so intrepid tourists can enjoy. Jane and I are beside ourselves with excitement as we take in the sites and cover as much ground as we can in the heat. We dodge around the groups of school kids doing their exercises in the shade. We found the shops, with the bakers, butchers and candlestick makers, trust us to find the shopping street. 

Then we are back on the autostrada and stop for a late lunch at a road side service station.  We are the only non Italian travelers here and need to use all our Italian to order lunch. Its exactly the same as a truck stop at Goulburn except instead of the big merino there is an archeological site. I like it.

Now onto our final destination for the day, Oriveto a tiny town sitting right on the top of cliffs with massive walls and ancient buildings. The town is about 1,000 years old so they did not cater to well for 3 girls driving an Opal Astra. We wind our way around and around getting more and more lost. Eventually we find a spot to park and Jane and I set off to find our home for the night on foot. We go up and down paved streets, down alley ways, there are stray cats everywhere and it all looks so old and interesting. Its like being in the Da Vinci Code and trying to find the clues, via Paradiso, Corso Camilliera Benso Conte di Cavour, its all a big puzzle. With a few wrong turns and a few giggles we finally find the place. Its very nice and we go back and get Sue and all is well.

There are still hours of light left in the day so we set off to explore the town. Lots of unusual shops and ancient houses, we see a grey church and I think that must be the cathedral but Jane wants to go on. Ok then. On for about another 500 metres and then there are glimpses of gold in the sun. Time to stand back and be amazed by the dazzling façade of the Oriveto Cathedral.