Roma

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Siesta Yesterday was scary......we all went unconscious at about 4.30 pm after a hard day on the archeological sites and could not wake up......jet lag kicks in. This morning I woke at 4am to jagged throat and tap nose (you were right David ) but not about to let a summer cold slow me down! So after slow breakfast of Pasta Dura toast and Peanut Butter, we went to the markets to pick up fresh ingredients for our home made dinner tonight, and a walk around the rambling laneways around Piazza Farnese. Then we head off to St Peters. So many nightmare stories about huge cues so very happy to rock up and straight to the top of the line and through security.....and the girls came prepared with long legs and sleeves so we were stright on through!! Decided to do the Cupola (520 steps) before heading in to the cathedral and what an amazing experience....the dome designed by Michaelangelo and completed after his death. We got to go right to the top and out on the balcony for the most amazing view of Rome from the spiritual heights!! Then into the hallowed halls......the Pieta.....the statues and embalmed corpses of popes past....the sheer size and magnificance of the place. The Boys blest themselves with holy water and Luke said a rosary in the catherdral of prayer! Could not come to Roma without this experience!

A stand up lunch on the way home (the boys chose gelato) and then Jo and I left the pikers at home and headed off to the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. I think I like the Pantheon the best.....it is the only ancient Roman structure that has come down to us fairly intact (due to the fact that some pope inabout 620ad decided to consecrate it as a church! It is incredible that this structure was not able to be replicated by builders and architects until the 20th century...and it was built in 80ad!

Quiet nite in and then we are off tomorrow to Pescara for our stay in a monastary converted to B & B and the our boat to Hvar. Will update you all in a week or so. Sorry I could not add photos as I bbought the wrong cable for my camera ( D oh)! Will try and add some later!

Ciao

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