Pompei

Thanks to the TMC School Board, we headed off by train for our day trip to Pompei. Unlike the organised and official visit from the last trip, this time we decided to do the DIY version. So, off we headed on our InterCity train without incident. Once in Naples though, due to some unclear signage, actually finding the Circumvesuviana entrance was quite a challenge. However, a friendly local helped us out and finally we were on our way. This confidence proved to be slightly misplaced as the train to which we were directed didn't actually happen to be going where we wanted. After a scenic route (and four changes of trains) we eventually made it to Pompei. Here we discovered to our delight that all of the students could be admitted for free and that the responsible adults in the group only had to pay a concession rate. Bonus! This was due to the deal effected by Don Dunstan years ago about a cultural exchange with Adelaide. The only problem came with trying to convince the ticket seller that places such as Woodville South, Prospect and Rose Park were actually part of Adelaide, since our passports rather annoyingly failed to state this explicitly.

Once inside, we checked out the main sites - the cafe, followed by the Baths, the various villas and temples, the agora, or market place, and of course the body casts - Pompei's most chilling reminder of the threat posed by the looming Vesuvius. A bit more of a stroll around the streets and then it was time to head back. In contrast to the journey to Pompei, our return was like clockwork with amazing connections. Before we knew it, we were back in Rome for an early dinner and a good sleep.