Dean of School – Paul Hughes
At the end of Term 3 OLM and DLS Caringbah embarked on our first joint cultural immersion tour. Please find below a recount from a number of the attending students.
Europe Trip report
First stop Paris …
After a 30-hour travel marathon we landed in Paris at 2 pm, feeling completely zombified, but we pushed on instead of heading to bed.
The first stop on our European journey was the Arc de Triomphe. A 400-step trek up a steep spiral staircase, the view was amazing, with the entire city visible. Then, the Eiffel Tower sparkled at night while we tried to take cute photos, despite smelling like aeroplanes, craving a long hot shower and a good night’s sleep.
Day two was Disneyland, where the entire day was spent hopping between rides, screaming on roller coasters, walking through the Disney castle, draining bank accounts and surviving on mouse-shaped food that seemed to cost a fortune. Definitely a highlight, even with the wet weather. The night show was epic and the perfect way to end the day, only the thrill seekers amongst us enjoyed the stampede to the Metro that night.
Day three was all about exploring Paris’s artistic side. The day began with a visit to Napoleon’s Museum and his enormous tomb, grand enough to make even the short guy feel tall. After that, Montmartre was the next stop, with its winding streets and bohemian charm. Getting lost in art galleries, quirky little shops, and taking in the stunning views from Sacré-Cœur was unforgettable. The food was absolutely incredible, with each bite a masterpiece, especially the pastries. If only climbing those hills could burn off all the croissants.
The final day was spent at the Louvre, where more time was spent searching for the Mona Lisa than actually looking at it. The entire building was stunning and massive, impossible to explore fully in just one day. Later, we climbed the Eiffel Tower, and after 700 steps, we were rewarded with an amazing panoramic view of all of Paris. Finally, a cruise along the Seine provided a moment to relax for the first time during the trip, offering a different view of all the amazing sights visited, despite the less-than-appealing look of the river itself.
Paris was an amazing yet exhausting adventure, and everyone was so grateful for all the incredible sights and experiences packed into just four days.
Next stop Germany……
After an early flight from Paris to Berlin, we instantly began to explore the history of Germany and the city. The three days we spent in Berlin were educational, interesting, and most of all, sad. As we uncovered sites such as the Berlin Story Bunker which recounted the rise and fall of Hitler and the Third Reich, the Topography of Terrors, the remains of the Berlin Wall, and the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial & Museum, we were all overcome with sadness over the horrors that had occurred in these locations. However, travelling to these places gave us a greater understanding of the history of Nazi Germany and life in the Soviet Union. That being said, Berlin also offered fun with malls, chocolate stores, and interactive museums where we were able to drive (and crash) a Moskvitch car. Overall, the city of Berlin offered many experiences that will remain with us forever.
Next Stop Italy ……
On our first day, we arrived in Naples, experiencing the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Wandering through the crowded streets, we enjoyed delicious pizza and cannoli before visiting The National Archeological museum, which saw us view many artworks, paintings and sculptures.
Following Naples, we took a scenic bus ride to Sorrento, on the Amalfi Coast, where we dined on pasta and tiramisu, topped off by a delightful ice cream, complimentary from our tour guide ‘Lucky’. Our visit to the ancient site of Herculaneum showcased stunning murals, including one of Poseidon almost fully intact. After lunch, we enjoyed shopping and an absolutely amazing recommendation for sandwiches.
After a long day of food and fun, we returned to the hotel for a multi-course dinner, which proved a challenge after everything we already ate that day.
The next day began with breakfast before a three-hour bus journey back to Rome, where we stayed at a nunnery. Our explorations included the Capuchin Museum, where we saw the crypt, followed by a visit to the Trevi Fountain where the group threw coins for good luck. We then toured Vatican City and climbed the dome, experiencing its narrow, twisting staircase.
On our final day, we explored the Colosseum and surrounding ruins before enjoying more time to explore the neighbouring town where we enjoyed pesto pasta for lunch. Overall, this trip has been an unforgettable experience filled with culture and culinary delights.
We thank the staff both from OLM and DLS for accompanying us and Lucky, our amazing tour guide from Libertas.
Paul Hughes, Dean of School