Rome



Victor Emmanuel Monument
"Wedding Cake"

Well they say all roads lead to Rome, so we were feeling confident that we would make it.
After a leisurely start through the Tuscan Hills we gathered momentum and quickly entered the outskirts of Rome. We checked in at our new home. Now to plan our attack on Italy's capital but not before a quick dip in the pool. Yes, its starting to warm up again.



The Colosseum



Colosseum by day

 After recounting the gladiator movie on our bus ride in, we approached the Colosseum with great excitement. We were not disappointed with a running battle of gladiators posing for pictures out the front.
Then we saw the line. Fortunately we were here in Spring and only had to wait a mere 30 minutes to get in. It truly is a great stadium and you can appreciate how advanced it was for its time. To see  it or perform in it in its day would have really got the adrenalin going, particuarly when you either left the fight with the praise of the mob or in a box. Certainly brings a new meaning to the saying "Winning isn't everthing. It's the only thing."
Next on the list was the Trevi fountain(Coin tossed, so we will return to Rome), shopping,  the Pantheon(Oldest and most Impressive Roman temple), shopping, famous piazza ? and market place(to many piazza's), look out for rogue pigeons and then dragged ourselves onto St Peters Basilica. By now even the shopping for the girls was hard work. Complaints of sore feet saw us take a much needed rest back at camp.

 

Guard at St Peter's Basilica



Tiber River

Today we had a much deserved sleep in. Gee that was good. Eventually we got the team revved up again to do the religious tour of rome. Vatican city here we come and no we were not dissapointed. Superb works of art, statues and architecture abound. The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world but boy it packs a punch. Highlight being the Sistine chapel which is an insane collection of frescoes on the ceiling led by Italy's pinup boy Michelangelo. Unreal! On leaving the Vatican we slipped in next door to see if the Pope was home. Didn't find him but the front door was open so had a look. St Peter's Basilica, biggest church  in the world. Yanks couldn't believe it, but yes it's true. Very well appointed with everything you could wish for in a church. Truly amazing and with position,position,position. Must be worth a bit. Finished day with walk along the Tiber River before shopping and then heading home. Night tour was on cards. Mussolini's "Victor Emmanuel monument" more commonly known as the wedding cake(pic. top) was a stand out of the tour. Home James and don't spare the horses. Leaving for Sorrento tomorrow.

Trevi Fountain