Go, Go, Go

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Geo: 41.8947, 12.4839

We are touring Rome today. It's like the most important city in Italy with tons of history and so many neat attractions to see. We left on our tour with the group from dinner last night. The driver met us at 8 in the morning and we left Civitavecchia, Italy. This is the closest port to Rome and where all the cruise ships dock. Unfortunately, it's a 90 minute drive into Rome and another 90 back again with lots of traffic at both ends. Our ship is in port only 8 hours, less the 3 hours to and from leaves five hours and we always want a little extra time to allow for a mishap since the ship will not wait wait for us if we're late getting back.

We had our list of things we wanted to see and our tour driver had it. First stop was atop the hill which Rome sits on for a view of the places to visit. First stop, the Vatican. We didn't have time to go inside the cathedral but we spent time in St. Peter Square so we could see where the Pope stands at the balcony and addresses the crowd. The line to enter the church had thousands of people in it already and it was only 10 am. Mom was able to purchase a few things at the Vatican before heading to the Circus Maximus, where events for the rich were held, then to several other places. We stopped above the forum which was the headquarters for the Roman rulers. You could see everything there. Next was the Coliseum. I had purchased €12 entrance tickets back in July for all of us which allowed us to skip the lines and walk right in. This saved us maybe 2 hours. The Coliseum was great and better preserved than I had thought. Mom got part way up but shut down for the upper level. We had about an hour there, then off to Trevi fountain, another site packed with people. Took some pics there and went back to van. We didn't have time to go to the Spanish Steps so we returned to the ship. We got back with a little time to spare.

Mom collapsed in the room for a while, then the life boat drills started again and then up to the Lido pool to meet some new people who just boarded today, Joan & Bret. We had a party poolside with them with the band playing disco and Bruno Mars songs. We had a late night snack and went to bed. Tomorrow is Naples.

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Photos

Our friends from Australia & New Zealand
Rod and Corrina and her parents

Mom at the coliseum in Rome
She made it up to this level.

Our van in Rome
Load 'er up.

The Vatican
Out in front in the plaza. Look close and you can see the line to get in to the church. It wraps all the way in front of us and beyond. Some said 5 hr wait.

Vatican
Mom at the Vatican store

Circus Maximus
It's the grassy area that looks like a large football field.

Forum
Taken from a hill above. It was like the town square.

Coliseum
Note the scaffolding on the outside. They are always restoring some part of it.

Coliseum
Taken from inside. It's in surprisingly good condition.

Trevi Fountain
Note the crowds.

Streets of Rome
Just walking.

Mom at the Forum
She takes pictures too.

Comments

[Nickole francis]

Beautiful!!!! Get it GMA!

[Nickole Francis]

I remember this place!!! How cool

[Nickole Francis]

I love this stuff... It always amazes me how grand the structures are!