EIGHTEENTH DAY - ROME

What a hot day today! Apparently, we got July weather in May - 34 degrees.


One of the many huge tapestries


Our first stop this morning was at the Vatican City and the Vatican Museum. In the museum we walked through the antiquities room and then through to the tapestry room where we saw huge old tapestries - this room is kept dark to preserve the tapestries.

Then, through to the Gallery of Geographical maps. It is quite a long gallery with diferent maps painted on the walls and glorious paintings on the extremely long ceiling.

Then what I'd been waiting for - the Sistine Chapel. It is quite spectacular to see in person. The ceiling painting seems to pop out at you in a 3-dimensional effect. I finally got to view the original of my favourite painting in person. It was just an incredible feeling to be in the presence of such beauty. And what made it even better was the passion and love of art that our guide, Francesco, had for everything he showed us. He even got in trouble a few times for talking too loud.  No photography was allowed.




St Peter's Basilica

We then moved on to go inside St Peter's Basilica where we viewed the tomb of St Peter and the tomb of Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul's tomb has recently been moved, ready for his canonisation.

After that we got a chance to take photos of the actual Vatican from the square and take pictures of the Pope's apartment in day light.

We then went into a shop to buy our souvenirs and we were able to buy rosary beads. We could get them blessed by the Pope or the high cardinal then delivered to our hotel.

As part of the Globus experience, we had a group photo taken in front of the Vatican.

Then it was off to the Colosseum (real name: Flavian Amphitheatre). Being with a tour group has its advantages - we beat the queues and walked right in. Our first look was where the Emperor used to sit - well, what's left of it. You actually walk underneath it because the floor is missing.

We had a good look at the centre where the galdiators would do battle and where now, all you can see is the underneath part where they kept the lions. Took heaps of pictures.

Then off to the ruins of Ceasar's palace and the Roman Forum. By this time we were all suffering from the heat so some of the ones that didn't want to walk around the Roman Forum were allowed to sit under the shade while the rest of us tortured ourselves by going up and walking around.

We didn't get to see the whole area around the palace but what we saw was impressive like everything else, We got a great view of the Colosseum as well.

Coming out of the forum, we took photos of Titus Column then it was time to get on the nice, cool, air conditioned bus.


Smart Car Parking - have a look at the Smart Car parked
underneath the billboard on the left



On the way back I had to take a photo of the Italian parking. Rome is the city of Fiats,Vespas and heaps and heaps of Smart cars. Oh, and the city where you can and will park wherever and however you want - especially if you have a little Smart car.

By the way, the Smart car is the creation of Mercedes and Swatch Watch company. Here, they are popular not only because they're small but because they're also fairly cheap - around 16,000 Euros.

When we got to the hotel, some of us who were going to do the afternoon tour had two hours to relax and have something to eat before we were off again.

The Spanish Steps - they're there under all those people!
 The Keats, Shelley, Lord Byron house is the peach
building on the right.

After meeting up with Francseco again, our first stop was the top of the Spanish steps- so called because the Spanish embassy is near by. Thank God we were going down the steps. As usual, it was full of people like the rest of Rome. There were so many people around the fountain at the foot of the steps, you could hardly make out that there was a fountain there at all! The Italians call this fountain the boat fountain because it looks like a boat.  I couldn't tell as it was covered with people!

Also took a photo of the house which was used by Keats, Shelley and Lord Byron which is next to the Spanish steps. Keats actually died in the house.

We then walked down Via di Condotti - where all the exclusive shops like Jimmy Choo, Gucci and Prada are. This is also where the oldest cafe is situated called Antico Caffe Greco established in 1760.


President's house


Just around the corner was Piazza Colonna and the giant marble column which was discovered buried underground. This Piazza is also home to the President's Palace and the house of parliament. This felt like the safest part of all Rome - there were police everywhere. One of the windows of the Palace was open and you could get a glimpse of a fabulous ceiling painting.



Pantheon

 Next stop: the Pantheon. This building was commissioned and built originally by Marcus Agrippa as a temple to all the Gods of ancient Rome. The original Pantheon burned down and it was rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in around 126 CE. It holds the tombs of Vittorio Emanuel II and Roberto I - two Kings - and Raffaelo, the artist. The dome has a whole in the roof.

It was then time for a break so most of us went to an ice cream place that Francesco recommended called Cremeria Monteforte next to the Pantheon on Via Della Rotonda where we had some home made ice cream. As I left the shop with my enormous ice cream, I almost dropped it as I was trying to put my purse back in my bag - I managed to catch it just in time. An Asian young man saw me, went into the ice cream parlour and handed me a handful of napkins. My hands were all sticky and my ice cream was dripping everywhere - I felt like a 3 year old again.


Fountain of Four Rivers


Then we were off again to Navona Square and the Fountain of Four Rivers representing the four continents. Unfortunately, Australia hadn't been discovered yet when this fountain was made. We walked around and had a look at the many artists that are set up in the square. Some of the paintigns were so good that they actually looked like photographs - I had to step up close to make sure. I was tempted to buy a set of three small paintings but then realised that it wouldn't make it home in one piece.

There is also a smaller fountain called The Fountain of Neptune at the north end of the plaza which is also quite pretty but doesn't get as much attention as the Four Rivers.

It was then time to get back on the bus and get back to the hotel.

We were then left to our own devices as to dinner so Jo, Paul and I had some pizza at the restaurant next door to the hotel. Delicious real Italian pizzas.

So much walking, I'm totally exhausted.

Tomorrow, it's off to Florence.