Sheers Family OE 2012: Pompei to Roma through the lens . . .

Even the footpaths in Italy are stylish.
Glenn and the girls strolling down the main street of Pompei.

Pasta the Italian way.

A whole supermarket isle was dedicated to pasta.

Walking the now deserted streets of the ruins of the old city of Pompei.
We were amazed at how preserved everything was and how
the new city had been built literally on the other side of the fence from
the old city. A serene, silent and surreal place to visit.

Looking back towards Mt Versuvius from the walls of the old city.
They still grow vines in the old gardens and produce a nice wine from them.

Inside one of the 'takeaway' lunch bars in the main street.
The people of Pompei didn't pack a lunch, they ate at one of these
snack bars everyday. When the ashes had settled and rescue teams
came into the ruins they found the days takings
from one of these cafes still sitting on the counter in its box.

Taashi takes in the body of a resident as it was found, quite peacefully
lying as though still asleep. The girls appreciated and understood
exactly what had happened here.

At the end of a long days exploration of the ruins were came
across this serene pool of water near the church.
It reminded us of a reflection pool (even though it was just a puddle from last nights rain).

One of the many streets in Sorrento decorated for Christmas.
This town was magnificant during the day - by night
it was just breathtaking. See the snow in the distance - brrrr.

The Amalfi Coast.

We took the bus along the famous Amalfi Coastal Road.
It is forbidden to drive Motorhomes along it anymore.
Our bus driver took the corners at alarming speeds and had
us gripping our seats on more than one occasion.
Glenn was glad he wasn't driving!

The main square in Amalfi.

Little Blue Fiats are just too cute.

We had our first Italian pizza in a tiny little local spot in Amalfi.
The girls working there smiled at us taking photos - very cheesy
but too good a photo op to miss.

Amalfi Town

The Duomo in Amalfi

Catching the train to Rome.

One of Romes main shopping streets in the middle of the day.

Shopping local Roman Style.

The Christmas decorations looked classy even during the day.

Stealing a kiss infront of the Trevi Fountain.

Hot Choclate - done the Italian way.
It's just like drinking hot liquid choclate mousse -
although technically you can't drink it. You have to
eat it off the spoon.

The wonder of Rome is that the ruins are right in amongst the
new buildings of the city.

Our shadows in The Forum.

A beggar on a street in Rome.
She had her Rosary beads wrapped around her outstretched hand.

Beside the colossal Colosseum.

Inside the Pantheon.

One of Romes fairytale back streets.

These trees came to typify Roman boulevards to us.

For some strange reason we hadn't realized that Pinocchio
was Italian (or we had just forgotten) until we stumbled
upon this work shop in a little back street.

The crowds came out to SHOP when the sun came down.
It was a fantastic time to be in Rome amongst all the local
Christmas Shoppers - who far outnumbered we tourists.

The Christmas tree on the Spanish Steps.

Looking back from the Spanish Steps
towards the Christmas shoppers.

Outside the Fendi bag store, with all its Christmas lights twinkling
on a corner street in Rome - it started snowing foam as 'Its beginning to
look a lot like Christmas' blared out of some load speakers hidden
somewhere. The local kids - and our 2 - had a ball.