The tour guide on the walk kindly pointed out over the microphone that I was the only single person in the bus, everyone else being either a couple or a family. Thanks buddy

Did a tour of Pompeii today. Very hot (32 degrees) and crowded. The tour guide was interesting but you're always going to feel hampered by the crowd. And it feels rushed, which is ironic given the amount of time spent waiting around. There are of course the traditional souvenir vendors flogging their wares (though in a more restrained fashion than you find in Asia). A Roman gladiator with his wooden sword and plastic armour guarded the parking lot. And there ...