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Published: April 13th 2009
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Rome
The ship was to dock in Civitavecchia Italy’s largest passenger port where about 5 cruisers were side by side. This port is known as the gateway to Rome. We had booked our trip into Rome, a 1½ journey by coach. The sun was shining and it was a pleasant 16º, although rain was forecast.
Again we were very excited about our first trip to Rome, although we wondered if we would actually be able to get close enough to see anything as it was Good Friday. Where we were heading was the final destination of the route taken by the Pope-the Coliseum, so we expected large crowds.
It was a lovely drive in and rural parts of Italy were very green and full of colourful blossom. It was so refreshing to see familiar fields and trees, so green and lush. We realised that we had missed the green green grass of home.
As we entered the old part of Rome the views of buildings from’ancient times’ thrilled us. A feast for the eyes which were roaming every where. What did disappoint and astound us was the amount of graffiti. Hardly a wall or brick up to shoulder
height was spared. We wondered if this is where the term graffiti originated as it looked like a national pastime. We thought that this was a shame and wondered why it was so prolific in this lovely city.
Our guide got us into the coliseum after about 20mins queuing. We were warned about the cost of having our photos taken with the gladiators and so declined their offers. It was an amazing sight and although packed with tourists, it was not as busy as we were expecting. The feeling felt as we entered the arena was similar to that one when you first visit a major football stadium-wow- it was amazing. Unfortunately we were not given the time to do the circular walk all around inside, but just a snippet.
Our guide knew her stuff and seemed to enjoy imparting it to us. It’s a place to come back to, hard to take in all at once its significance and previous brutality, which fact we seemed to place on one side when we were faced with its architectural splendour as we ooohed at it. Somehow we managed to lose 5 of the coach party in there, who later caught
up with us. It was just great to be there, lovely visit!
We had ditched the coach and were walked, being led by our guide with her flag on a stick, across old Rome towards the Roman Forum. Taking the long route as part was fenced off for the Popes stroll. We did not mind as we got to taste the area. This was a huge site with loads of interesting bits and bobs, including the resting place of Julius Caesar. It was the place where the important people came to thrash out their ideas etc.
It was well preserved and was dusted by wild flowers and beautiful red poppies. Again more time is needed to explore it fully. By now the place was getting very busy with holiday makers gathering for their day with the Pope. This added a nice buzz to the atmosphere, fun and laughter and an air of anticipation. Street sellers were at every corner selling their Easter memorabilia and religious artefacts We had been told it was a national day of mourning for those people who had lost their lives in the recent earthquake, we did not see much evidence of this happening, apart
from flags at half mast, everything else was open and busy. Part of this old area of Rome was damaged by this recent earthquake which had felt its tremours.
We continued our trek through Rome passing the Parthenon on our way to Piazza Navona where our guide was dropping us off for free time. This was a lovely square filled with artists stalls and coffee shops. In the centre was a very decorative fountain called the Four Rivers.
Freedom at last as we headed off to find refreshments as we ambled through the back streets soaking up all Rome had to offer. We eventually found a place to sit outside and eat our pasta in Italy. The service was very slow but the people friendly. We had to rush our last course which took 35 mins to arrive after our starters! Maybe they dine that slowly here. We were itching to get away as we only had 3 hours to roam around Rome. The Trevii fountain would have to wait until a future visit as we opted to spend our remaining hour seeking out the Vatican- thought it was the right thing to do as it was Easter
time!
We made the right choice as we wormed our way through the streets and masses of people. The queue to get into St Peters Basilica was extremely long and we never even entertained the idea of joining it!
It was a wondrous site, magnificent architecture, buzzing people, flowing priests and ice-cream cones. We just walked round and round trying to capture its splendour. Time swiftly passed and we had to rush back. We tried to find the Sistine Chapel but failed, we crossed the Tiber River over a different bridge and started our quest to find a homemade ice-cream parlour for Murdo to taste his Italian gelatino???- we all know how passionate is about that taste!!!! We had to rush licking our cones as it was melting faster than we licked!!
We rendezvoused with our fellow passengers back outside the Four River fountain, and bought one of the etchings being sold there. They looked original but I have a sneaky suspicion that they were mass produced, oh well. We soaked up the last 5 mins of Rome and off we went through rush hour traffic back to the ship, most of which I slept. We were late
getting back to the ship as there had been an accident and we were rerouted. Another coach had broken down and those folk just got back by the skin of their teeth I’m sure they were grateful that the commodore did not set off without them!! Which we hear sometimes happens!!
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