So so disappointed in the Museum as a whole and particularly the Pompeii Exhibition, especially after having read so much about it for weeks on end.

Personally speaking, my family usually hates me dragging them to Museums because the can never get me out again under 3, 4 or more hours.... usually being the operative word.

Here, at the "National Museum" which I've wanted to visit for many years, it was the opposite. After 40 minutes, I was ready to leave (without the family 🤔 if need be), as "Pompeii" was the most underwhelming exhibition I'd ever seen (and I've seen many in my time).

If I sound ungrateful, I probably am - but honestly? $78 rounded up for a family of four (two of us oldies, a teenager and his mother) for "discounted" tickets because we are "Friends of the Australian Museum" - and for what?

No real signage, no pamphlet about the exhibition as a keepsake, no instructions except, "straight through the door, enjoy your visit" , into one large room with around 8 alcoves of tiny exhibits and ONE set of plaster casts.

The main "feature" was depicted as being a frightening scene of the chaos and destruction as it occurred on the day beginning with the earthquake and volcanic eruption, with warnings about darkening lights, some flashing lights etc etc.

We found a group of people looking at a projection screen of Mt Vesuvius, decided to wait for the "event" to unfold (expecting some kind of announcement beforehand, but there was none) and ten minutes later, the cloud of dust appeared on screen, followed by the eruption with smoke and lava billowing downwards towards those of us watching....then it was over.

Seriously? I could have watched a documentary (and have) that was more realistic and terrifying about that dreadful day without all the effort and money to get to the NMA.

I tried to justify it all to my family, but the words had a hollow ring, sadly. I was just too disappointed - since the last exhibition I'd seen was at the Art Gallery of NSW around 45 years ago (on Pompeii) - and that had really been something to behold with hundreds of exhibits and casts , but also a crush of people back then.

We then decided on a late lunch in the Cafe but sadly the "hot food ends at 2pm" , and it was then 3pm , so it was disappointingly just coffee and cake, nice but average and certainly not lunch, late or otherwise.

As others have correctly pointed out, the lack of Australian history, apart from our obvious Indigenous history, which is on view and worthy of seeing, is also sorely lacking.

As such I do find it hard to concede that it's the National Museum of Australia - rather it should be called the Museum of Canberra in my opinion.

What really annoys me most?

1. They blew up a perfectly fantastic hospital to build this state of the art, "museum" in its stead.

The hospital was far more important I'm sorry to have to sound blunt.

2. My family thought it hilarious that I was the FIRST person to say, "let's go home". And, they will probably never let me forget it 🙄😀