Day 3 Rome to Civitavecchia

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Rome experienced a major rain fall in the early morning hours as a cold front came into the area. Some of the group, not yet time adjusted to the local time decided to arise early and make the most of the morning in Rome before we departed to catch the Pacific Princess in Civitavecchia. Rich found a coffee bar across the street from the hotel at the Esquilina Market (similar to Seattle’s Pike Place), with wonderful displays of fresh vegetables, fish and real butchers waiting to custom cut meats for customers. Two tasty cappuccino’s later, the day was off to a great start!

The rain stayed away for most of the morning after daylight and a large group decided to visit the Coliseum and the Palatine Hill area. It was only about an eight block walk down hill from our hotel, the Ambra Palace. Rich and Linda even passed an older gentleman unloading cargo from a van who was wearing a Seattle Mariners baseball cap.

It was amazing to witness the scope of the center of the capitol of the Roman Empire. To walk where emperors, slaves, early Christians and people of legend had passed before was an awesome experience. To look at thousands of years of history and how the world’s mightiest empire had fallen was a good lesson for us today.

All 28 folks arrived at the Pacific Princess by 2:00 PM and all the luggage arrived with them! A smooth check-in took about 10 minutes. We were advised that “due to weather conditions, Naples was being substituted for Sorrento, but all the same shore excursions would take place.

We’re all now onboard the ship and ready to set sail into a stormy Mediterranean.

Oh, an add to our Vatican tour yesterday. The group was interrupted by a group of guards escorting a wheelchair with no other than Stephen Hawking! What a great chance to see maybe the world’s smartest man who’s fighting a battle with ALS. We’ll pray for him and for finding a cure for this terrible disease.

Tomorrow, Pompeii and Neapolitan pizza.

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Photos

Breakfast at Ambra
Sally Jo and Myrna enjoying breakfast at Ambra Palace

Buffet
Rich and Cathy are wondering, what is that?

Rich at Colleseum
We walked 8 blocks to enjoy the colleseum.

Water is nice
We were appreciative of the bottle of water when we go to the Colleseum.

Not Busy
Not too much business for the horse today.

Amazing
What an amazing structure. Baird's, Suttens and Smith's went inside.

Palatine HIll
Ascending the hill toward the Forum

Ancient Government
At one time this was the center of civilization and politics for the world.

Temple of Venus & Rome
Linda in front of the Temple of Venus

Bascialica of Maxentius or Contstantine
Begun by Maxentius in 308 AD and completed by Constantine 312 AD. A massive structure.

Arch of Constantine
A great day for sightseeing and antiquities. The rain really watched the air clean.

Back up hill to hotel
We walk back up the hill toward Ambra Palace

Old to New
Old buildings become new residences

Terrace Garden
Gardening in Rome

Farmers Market
Like Pike Place Market - great produce.

Olives Gallore
Every kind of olive - yummy.

Fishy Business
Fish and seafood very popular.

Who's that?
Tom can always be found by the food.

Bus to Civitavecchia
On the bus to catch the ship.

Narrow Passage
We almost didn't make this turn.

Getting on the ship
Bob & Cathy are going to make it.

More in line
Pastor Sally Jo is anxious to get on board.

Lunch on Pacific Princess
Finally, on the ship - bags unpacked - having lunch. Yeah!!!