Italy’s Amalfi Coast

[monik7]

After visiting Herculaneum, we checked into our hotel in the city of Praiano. It’s located on the side of the mountains of the Amalfi Coast. It was somewhat difficult to find mainly due to problems we had with Google Maps. I’m amazed how people drive here. It seems like chaos all the time. People on scooters dodge in and out among cars, cross the center line with abandon, have little regard for other drivers, etc.! Other drivers in cars think nothing about pulling into oncoming traffic when they could have waited until it was safe to do so. My daughter, Shannon, is an excellent driver, however, and takes it all in stride except when Google Maps gives ridiculous instructions that don’t fit the situation. We made it though so I want to give you an idea of the beautiful area we’re staying in. These are some views from our room. Everywhere you look the view is magnificent.





I have no idea what keeps all the buildings clinging to the mountainsides. They have, however for centuries.

[Bethers]

Magnificent is truly the word to describe those views. Enjoy.

[Acadianmom]

I'm like you Sandi, it looks like all those building could just slide into the water. It's a beautiful area. I would not like the traffic. I was in a "taxi" in Mexico once. Who ever got to a stop sign would just honk and go, not stop. Never again.

Martha

[snowball]

I was going to go with a more basic word Beth....
WOW!!!!
sheila

[chalet05]

Beautiful!

[MandysMom]

What a beautiful place!
Velda

[Redetotry]

Beautiful thank you !! I too wonder what keeps them from falling! I'm so happy you are having this wonderful experience.

[JudyJB]

It has been over 50 years since My ex and I drove in Italy, and I would never do it again!! Absolutely crazy, but you are right that the scenery is beautiful.

[BarbaraRose]

Just absolutely stunning views! Good thing they don't have earthquakes there!

[mtngal]

Gorgeous! Fun to follow your trip!

[JudyJB]

They DO have earthquakes there! In fact, it was earthquakes that caused Pompeii to blow!

[Cudedog]

Of course Italy - especially southern Italy - has earthquakes, particularly around that area's famous volcanoes: Vesuvius, Stromboli, Etna (and several others).

Here is a list of recent earthquakes in Italy:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_earthquakes_in_Italy

The well known written record that exists of the 79 A.D. eruption of Vesuvius was written by Pliny the Younger.
He was there, as it happened, and both of his letters do describe earthquakes occurring during the eruption:

http://www.pompeii.org.uk/s.php/tour-the-two-letters-written-by-pliny-the-elder-about-the-eruption-of-vesuvius-in-79-a-d-history-of-pompeii-en-238-s.htm

As to whether or not it was an earthquake that caused Vesuvius to erupt. . . that is kind of difficult to know at this remove (as is more usual, the volcano itself will cause earthquakes, as magma moving underground causes fracturing). There was a large earthquake in 62 A.D. that has been speculated to have been a precursor to the awakening of Vesuvius. But the span between 62 A.D. and 79 A.D. seems to be rather longish for this earthquake to have been a precursor.

For example, the first small earthquakes - signaling that Mt. St. Helens might be awakening - began on March 16, 1980. The major eruption that removed about 1300 feet from the top of St. Helens, and destroyed 200 square miles of forest surrounding the volcano (laying giant pines on the ground like matchsticks) happened on May 18, 1980.

Barely 8 weeks later.




Photo of Volcanologist David A. Johnston, a personal hero of mine.

Anne

[cnq50b]

So lovely! Beautiful pics!
Thanks for sharing your trip with us. It surely looks like the trip of a lifetime.

[SoCalGalcas]

Thanks Sandi for more fabulous pictures. Driving there does sound frightening. I wouldn’t want to do it when I was still driving! Congratulations to your daughter for her skills.
And, thanks to Anne for more information on volcanoes.
Lyn

[SoCalGalcas]

Sheila, was it the Turmeric Lemon Chicken Soup you wanted the recipe for? I got it from the
Mediterranean Diet off the internet. Let me know if you can’t find it, and I will put it in the recipe section. Lyn