Friday 3rd October

Today we started the concise tour of Rome from the Hop on Hop off bus, first stop Colosseum which was really great, fantastic to consider the history and learn from the guide what ACTUALLY happened versus what Hollywood would have us believe, it is a really huge place, hence the name and to touch walls which were built so long ago in 70AD was a really terrific feeling. We avoided the dress up gladiators and other street vendors who wanted our money and just enjoyed the sunshine. We walked around the area where they have excavated various ruins including Pantheon and Constantines Arch. Back on bus for next stop Piazza Venezia where there is a big white building (opps forgot the name) but it was big with heaps of steps up via a small Basilica to Santa Maria, we went up in a lift to the roof and got a great view over Rome and could pick out all the places we were interested in. At the bottom of the building is a tomb to the unknown soldier and eternal flame. We then walked to the Trevi fountains, but when we got there it was pretty crowded but managed the photo shoot and tossed a few coins into the water (out of reach of the old guy collecting all the Euros he could reach), then grabbed some Pizza for lunch which was sold by the kilo, not the slice and looked like meat but tasted like Tuna, not bad though. Sat near fountains for lunch and watched a few statue performers nearby, also noticed padlocks with peoples names on the fence, we gather it was some sort of locking of hearts together, or some other sloopy romantic idea. We then found our way to the Spanish Steps and sat amongst the crowds for a few moments, they were pretty steep and i must say they took my breath away in more ways than one. Then wandered through some narrow streets back to the bus stop for another lap and a half of the bus to get photos of places we missed the first time around, saw some hreat and well known shops but out of reach both financially and from the top deck of our bus!!!. Kerry dozed a little but no one really noticed behind her sunnies, got off bus at termini and walked back to the hotel via our favourite cafe. Popped into supermarket to collect some breaky for the next day and some cheese, salami and fruit for an arvo snack. Back to the hotel to rest and read for the last few hours of the arvo, the red wine i had brought the day before (Bargain at 2 euros) had not improved with age but went down fairly easy anyway. By about 7.30 we decided we had better go find some real italian food, so we walked the 100 mts to the resturant next to the hotel. Kerry had Mushroom and Prawn pasta and i had Spaghetti with seafood, both were really good and i apparently stunk of Garlic so it must have been authentic !!, after dinner we did the internet fingy and then back to the hotel for the night. A group of young people had moved into the hotel opposite, which also has the local bar and things got a little noisy out front but our room was out back so no worries.

Saturday 4th October

Ok now to get up to date for today. This morning was an early rise 6am with our own supplied breaky in the room as we were too early for the one provided downstairs. Off to the tour bus in nice conditions, with clear skys but rain jackets just in case. Two buses were needed to take the group to the Vatican and we thought that was a lot of people until we actually got there. It was amazing to see so many tour groups queing up to go into the Vatican Museum, we had to join a line that didnt look too long until we noticed it zig zagged down the street. We were glad we had the early tour as we reckoned it would only get worse, we were also happy we had decided to join a tour rather than do it ourselves as it seemed much easier and we learnt so much from the guide. The tour started in museum where they have an absolute heap of paintings, statues and tapestries which were fantastic to see and which we could photograph as much as we liked, but we dont think the photos will do it any justice at all. We walked on through the museum seeing maps painted on the walls of a passage, all showing the various parts of Italy which reminded us of Lynnette when we saw Sicily, we then entered the Sistene Chapel with Micks paintings on the ceiling and front wall, what we didnt know was the other walls were painted by other artist and not mick. It was an amazing place and one to be experianced, we stayed about 20 minutes just looking everywhere since there are pictures on all walls and the ceilings. From the chapel we made our way to St Petes Basilica but to get there we had to dash across a courtyard in hail, yes the day had turned from Sunshine to rain to hail, under the basillica we saw the tombs of Popes and St Pete, including Pope John Paul 11 which was attracting some attention from some devote Catholics praying nearby. Up into the Basilica was a awesome sight, the place is so large, but doesnt look it until you compare the size of people in the gallery above with the large letters printed around the walls, the letters were 3 mts high!! The sculptures were amazing with finite detail and too think they were carved so many years ago. It was a really moving experiance for anyone going into the place. Outside we walked around St Petes square and saw the balcony the Papa uses for Christmas and easter and the windo where he does his blessing on Sundays, teh Swiss guards were wearing helmets which indicated the Papa had gone out for the day, our guide said to shop for soxs and jocks!!, by this time it was threatning more rain, but we got some good shots with St Petes in the background before we left on the bus. The traffic was really bad as the rain started then the thunder and lightning mad for a fun drive home, Italian drivers just dont realise 4 into 2 doesnt go and someone sometime has to give way !!!

Ok enough for now, at laundry just getting ready to go back and pack for our cruise tomorrow, will blogg again soon

Caio Martin and Kerry