Below the surface - Napoli

121 Steps below Napoli, there is an even bigger city...

Made up of cisterns, aqua ducts, quarries and tunnels from 4th century BC. 

Once the water was contaminated in the late 1800's it was abandoned until the second world war when the population lived down there in hiding from the bombings. 

Until then it was only accessible via the well shafts, and people who were small in size would climb down using holes in the side of the well. 

At one point we had to walk sideways down a tunnel as it was maximum 50cm's wide, if it wasn't so fascinating it would have been terrifying. 

Incredibly astounding.  

Vicious Vesuvius - Napoli

Today I watched over the churches, ancient monuments, apartment buildings and imposing image of Vesuvius, that make up the breathtaking skyline of Napoli.

Seeing the destruction of the ancient city of Pompeii due to Vesuvius' fiery fury, I wander why the choice has been made, to again live in the shadow of this now understood deadly force of nature...

Ashy Artistry - Pompei Scavi

24th of August, 79AD Mount Vesuvius erupted. It destroyed 20,000 Roman lives and created a city sized time capsule. 

By the end of that day, Pompeii was buried by volcanic ash, preserving this ancient city's stories, remains and fantastic fresco paintings.

This time capsule is an incredible insight into ancient life, allowing us to understand their civilised and democratic society.

 This archilogical excavation provides peep holes into things such as their political, social and the aesthetical values they held, including their interior design sense! :P

Luxury Livin' - Reggia di Capodimonte

The Royal Palace of Capodimonte now houses the National Museum and Art Gallery of Capodimonte. 

It is filled with the Farnese art collection, original furniture and incredibly rich and fabulous furnishings. 

The room which most caused my jaw to drop is panelled with porcelain - a 3D representation of various floral and animal motifs, as well as scenes from exotic China's everyday life. 
So incredibly luxurious, rich and grand beyond comprehension. 

Underground Graves - Catacombe of Saint Gennaro di Napoli

Ancient Appendages - Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli

Today I discovered the 'secret room' within Naples National Archaeological Museum. A room filled with erotica gathered from excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum. I'm entirely fascinated with the openness of sexuality within ancient cultures..

 And of course amused by all the wonderful willys! hehe!

Century Old Ceilings - Bebenhausen Monastery

Today I was fascinated by the detail in the part of a building we these days ignore...

A Vibrant Visitor - On The Alb

Mountain Mischief - Reutlingen

Spending the afternoon playing and feeling close with my clever cousin. 

You never get too old to dig holes, collect twigs and climb trees :)

Guten Morgen Germany - Tübingen

Toodles, Turkey

This morning I said farewell to Turkey... for now. 

I will definitely be back, I am certainly not done exploring this incredibly interesting and history rich country.

Lest We Forget - Gallipoli

"Those heroes who shed their blood 

and lost their lives..

You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.

Therefore rest in peace.

There is no difference between the Johnnies

and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side

here in this country of ours...

You the mothers, 

who sent their sons from far away countries 

wipe away your tears;

Your sons are now lying in our bosom 

and are in peace. 

After having lost their lives on this land they have

become our sons as well."

- Ataturk 1934 

Former Turkish army officer who served at Gallipoli and later president of Turkey.

Underworld Medusa - Istanbul

The Basilica cistern is an underground water storage chamber in Istanbul, fed by the aquaducts to supply water to the Topkapi Palace.  It is approximately 9,800 square metres in area and is capable of holding 80,000 cubic metres of water. The ceiling is supported by a forest of 336 marble columns, each 9 metres high. This column is resting on the head of Medusa. It is said that she is turned upside down so the viewer does not turn to stone when looking into her eyes. 

Mystifying. 

Roman Ruins - Ephesus

Ephesus - a Greek city which flourished after the Roman Republic took control.

The ruins tell a story of a very civilised and and luxurious community. Here's their double story library, across from the theatre which seats 25,000 and is adjacent to the brothel and public toilets.
Luckily they made everything from marble.
Fascinating.

Perfect Pools - Pamukkale

 These natural occurring terraces are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by the water from the local hot springs. These 'original infinity pools' made for an incredibly beautiful and relaxing afternoon on the top of a mountain in Pamukkale. Phenomenal.

Cheeky Chops Camel - Cappadocia

Göreme Caves - Cappadocia

Today we visited these incredibly surreal natural occurring rock formations. 

They have been hollowed into caves, churches, and castles, and lived and prayed in for centuries upon centuries. 

Completely astounding.

(Thats me in the centre of the last image after climbing up about three or four levels of the cave)

Pashupatinath Temple - Kathmandu

Today I am missing my girlfriend, so here's a flashback of our trip to Nepal in April.
On this day we were visiting Pashupatinath Temple, which is a hugely significant Hindu temple and one of the only locations in which open air cremations are carried out. We stood meters away from a burning human body very soon after this. Again, religion is fascinating. 

Feelin' Fruity - Istanbul

Watermelon by the water

Turkey's Traditions - Istanbul

My dinner this evening came with a side of traditional live music and dancing. Mesmerising. 

Rituals, Istanbul

Yesterday I visited Istanbul's Sultan Ahmed Mosque, nicknamed 'The Blue Mosque' by westerners.

These boys are celebrating their Sünnet party, a Turkish circumcision ritual.

A right of passage for boys to become man and an excuse for community celebration.

Religion is fascinating.