Rome!

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We arrived at Rome tired and complained about our hotel room so we got moved to a ‘superior room’ the next day which has been much better. Saturday we went to the Vatican City and went to St Peter’s Basilica. We saw the tombs of all the popes and inside St Peter’s and chose the option of walking the 550 steps up to the top of the dome. The staircases got smaller, slantier and crazier. It was a really great view from the top though - and nice and breezy - it is so hot here.

Sunday we went to the Colosseum. We took a tour which probably made the Colosseum seem a bit gross - 2 million people died there and the toilet system sounded weird - slaves sat on the limestone toilets to keep them warm for the men before they came along; and women had to use doggy bags or something. Yuk.

Went to go to the Roman Forum later but it was closed so we attempted to walk around the outside.

Monday was most unfortunate. When we got to the Sistine Chapel it had closed half an hour before we got there. So we carried on to this Castel S'Angelo place (don't know what it is, just thought it looked interesting on the map) but it is shut on Mondays! Were tired and grumpy so packed it in!

Tuesday we got up and went to the Sistine Chapel again! It was quite neat - a bit like the Louvre. Thought they were a bit anal with their ban on photos in the actual Sistine Chapel.

Then we went to the Spanish steps and Piazza di Spagna - most disappointing. I climbed all the hundred and something steps to find nothing?! I think there is a church there or something but it was being renovated or restored or something.

Went to the Trevi Fountain. Found out later it was supposed to be a tradition to throw a coin over your shoulder as you leave the fountain to ensure your return to Rome. Guess we won't be coming back.

Last went to the Pantheon - the 27BC temple.

Off to Bangkok Wednesday.

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Photos

dome.jpg
This photo of the dome on top of St Peter's Basilica was taken after about the first 230 steps up. We walked right up to the top bit. [Instead of Where's Wally, see if you can spot Fi in her black t-shirt and light blue pants!]

calebstairs.jpg
Caleb climbing the final stairs up to the top of the dome at St Peter's.

firome.jpg
Fi from the top of the dome.

stpeters.jpg
St Peter's Basilica

ficol.jpg
Fi outside the Colosseum

calebcol.jpg
Caleb outside the Colosseum

colosseum.jpg
Fi and Caleb inside the Colosseum

calebcastel.jpg
Caleb outside the Castel Sant' Angelo - don't know what it was because it is closed on Mondays.

calebpdp.jpg
Caleb at the Piazza del Popolo. We stopped here for a drink to get off the hideously hot and sticky metro at peak hour.

hotelsign.jpg
So disappointing?!

fisistine.jpg
Fi in one of the corridors filled with paintings etc in the Sistine Chapel building.

sistine.jpg
I was very naughty and took a photo of the roof of the Sistine Chapel!

fisteps.jpg
Fiona at the bottom of the Spanish steps

fitrevi.jpg
Fiona at the Trevi Fountain.

calebpantheon.jpg
Caleb outside the Pantheon.

Comments

[Abi]

Well you havent missed much here apart from rain, bitter cold, wind and rain.

[Ingrid]

Holiday pictures
15th of July, Hollans is still hot and muggy. So wonderful for you 2 to see and visit all these places even if not evrything goes all that smooth, still a lovely experience. (sigh) wish I was your age and could DO this. Great: Enjoy. Bankok coming up:Super!!!