Today we split up with Ron and Evelyn for our visit to Rome. They took the full day (10 1/2 hour) cruise ship shore excursion that hit all the highlights including the Vatican museum, St. Peters basilica, the Sistene Chapel, the Coliseum, etc.
Because Sherry and I had seen the main sights of Rome on previous trips, we took the one hour train ride from Civitavechia, where the ship docked, to do some exploring on our own. We found free wifi in the main Rome train station (Termini) to catch up on our e-mail and then headed outdoors. Unfortunately it was a cool (19 deg.) and rainy day. Nevertheless we covered a fair bit of territory on foot and by bus, including a bridge over the Tigris, several churches, and return visits to the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Sherry also found some Italian sunglasses frames to buy. We had a nice lunch of spaghetti, buffalo mozzarella, and house wine at a sidewalk cafe sheltered from the rain, then gradually made our way back to the Termini train station on foot and by bus.
The train back to Civitavechia was a slower one that took 1 1/4 hours, but we made it back with 45 minutes to spare.
We reunited with Ron and Evelyn at dinner, heard about their exciting day, and celebrated Ron's birthday (see pic).
Sherry and I attended the party for return Royal Caribbean guests, then took in the singers and dancers show, although I think may have dozed through most of it. It's been a long and tiring day.