Today was filled with churches and walking and monuments and ... churches. We started with the magnificent Santa Maria Maggiore which has beautiful mosaics. We took the red Metro to Piazza del popolo then walked along the edge of the Villa Borghese gardens to the top of the Spanish Steps. At the top is a lovely French Church Trinita Dei Monti. Inside a small group of nuns and priests were singing a mass, creating a beautiful atmosphere. Down the Spanish Step...

What an interminable flight it seemed from Melbourne first to Singapore, then the long haul from Singapore to Rome, with a 4 hour gap in Changi airport. But we're here in Rome and spent our first afternoon mostly exploring the Forum area. It's 6:30 local time and I am SO tired. I think I will sleep well after only dozing on the plane.