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Thursday 10th August 2006 - Ercolano

Today we visited another famous remnant of the AD79 Vesuvius erruption, Ercolano.

On arrival, we went to a branch of the Bank of Napoli to change some traveller's cheques. We'd never seen such a scarily high security bank! People could only enter or exit the bank one at a time via a small airlock which appeared to include a metal detector. People entering and exiting were monitored by a security guard. Any bags had to be placed in lockers *outside* the bank! Ironically.... Martin still got in with a swiss army knife in his pocket! Ah, the temptation to hold up the bank *just to make a point*!

The ruins at Ercolano are much smaller than Pompeii but still a reasonably large area. The upper stories of buildings had been preserved and apparently this is archeologically unique. Interesting place. Heard grim tale of how people had tried to escape by sea but had died in the intense heat of the eruption.

Back at site, played table tennis. Martin rocked and was completely undefeated;-)

Had excellent ravioli for dinner. More thunder and lightening at night

The ruins of Ercolano

Bekky *really* likes ruins. As does Jack ;-)

Back at the campsite, having dinner at the excellent restaurant