After a designated ‘home day’, where Hamish managed a two hour nap in the afternoon, we decide to hit Pompeii. Rod has no trouble navigating his way, even when the first roundabout in Pompeii has three lanes of traffic in a single lane, pointing in various directions, not unlike a tetris game. Except in tetris, there are rules.

The way to the Pompeii site is well signed, however parking might be problematic. Out of the blue and next to the most amazing gelato bar, we find a very spacious car park which turns out to be 50 metres from the entrance. Our luck is in. We also happen across a tourist information centre with staff who speak excellent English. We are set up with what we need for our self-guided tour and head off.

Although we have a rough idea about what happened at Pompeii, being there is something else. It is surreal. 2000 years later and some of the building are still very impressive. Our audio guide is useful, but it’s hard to manage with a busy Hamish whose feet have found the only puddles on the cobblestone track. He is the loudest person at the site. Not even the Americans can compete.

We stay for about three hours, ensuring we have at least attempted to find some of the more intact, interesting sites. My Lonely Planet guide has suggested the brothel is a must-see. It’s smallish and packed with visitors. There are many interesting frescoes on the walls, depicting, well suggesting, how one might like to spend their time…if you know what I mean. Hamish tells us the beds are hard. He finds the toilet in the brothel and has a sit down. He is all class.

After exiting this amazing place (Pompeii, not the brothel), the boys take back the audio guides. We have been on the lookout for a deck of cards and Rod finds some at the tourist information centre. However, they are reminiscent of the aforementioned frescoes. As a result, we are still without a deck of cards.
The drive on the A3 back to Campagna rises above Salerno providing stunning views back along the coast. No signs of failed developments here! It is spectacular.