Picture, if you can, a small boy, 8 or 9 years old.

He's sitting in an Australian country school classroom, the teacher has his attention.

It's show and tell day and the teacher has produced a large picture book describing the last moments of Pompeii.

The boy is mesmerized with this story, it's the first he's ever heard of the buried Roman city and he vows, right there and then to one day visit this place.

Fast forward some 12 years and the dream of walking through the uncovered streets of Pompeii looks set to be fulfilled.

The boy, now a young man, has arrived at the gates of the historical park, he's part of a guided tour group, on his first trip abroad and too young and too inexperienced to travel independently.

The park is closed.

Shut.

Something about a public holiday in Southern Italy.

Apologies from the tour leaders.

A hastily organised day trip to the Isle of Capri instead.

The young man vows, right there and then to visit this place.

Fast forward some 40 years and the dream of walking through the uncovered streets of Pompeii looks set to be fulfilled.

The young man, now an old man, has arrived at the gates of the historical park, he's not part of a tour group, he's been abroad many times and the park is open.

A 50 year bucket list trip to Pompeii awaits.