From Sorrento to Rome to KY…..

The Vatican Egyptian and Near East Rooms

We headed back to Naples from Sorrento by ferry early Friday morning in a driving rain and heavy fog.  All I could think about were the images of fatal ferry accidents I remember watching on old news reports while trying to assess my current aptitude for long-distance swimming.  I determined that I was most likely lost at sea unless the ferry happened to sink 20 yards from the Naples shore.

I thought the worst was over after we disembarked but the 15 minute cab drive from the dock to the Naples train station turned out to be much more dangerous.  I am just glad I don’t have to drive in that city…being a passenger is bad enough.

We had a good last night in Rome….mid-afternoon lunch/dinner at Life near the Spanish Steps area and then an evening stroll through the Vatican Museum at 8PM.  This is the first time I had an opportunity to take advantage of the evening openings and was thankful that there were much less people there compared to the usual day crowd.  The breathing room was much appreciated and seeing the Sistine Chapel comparatively empty was a great experience.  This was also the first time I visited the Vatican’s Near East and Egyptian collections….I had no idea they had such a quality collection in these areas.

If I do another Vatican tour, I will spring for a private evening tour and completely avoid the crowds.

The last day was a bit bittersweet because it may be a while before I head back….I know I seem to always say that but it does seem it will be quite a while…of course I will add my usual caveat that if someone wants to pay for me to be their guide…

Looks likely that the next trip will be somewhere in Central Asia.  The planning has already begun.

Some photos from our last day in Rome: