Rome, capital of the world!

---

Roma, what a place! Not wasting any time, Nick headed off to St Peter's Basillica at dawn the first day that we were in Rome (while Lisa slept in). The Basillica glowed in the morning light and the absence of any crowd whatsoever made it a very different experience to that a day later when both of us visited at a more leisurely hour. To quote Lisa after several minutes of awe, we didn't know where to look first, it was so impressive - the sculptures were magnificent and the ceiling was an enormous artwork in itself. Even nuns were taking photos of themselves before papal tombs! Yet the Basillica certainly maintained enough modesty that it was a very spiritual place. Lisa and I 'met' the Pope one day.......along with about 3000 other people in the auditorium - he's one cool dude, spoke 7 different languages, said hello to Australia!

We spent four days in all in Rome, with the other highlights being the vivid blue of the Trevi Fountain, wandering around the ruins of the Roman Forum, the scale of the monument containing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, entering the depths of the Castel del San Angelo (which was Emperor Hadrian's tomb), the Sistine Chapel of course and the significant artworks that we would stumble across in churches we'd decide to enter on the toss of a coin. Even when we were deliberately not looking for things, around the corner would jump ruins and more ruins - the locals seem to take it in their stride......and sell pizza!

An amusing aspect of the time we were in Rome was that there always seemed to be about five different forms of police services just hanging around waiting for stuff to happen - all with different responsibilities apparently. Maybe they just like being in uniform.

All in all, Rome has given us the best part of our travels so far!

NM

---

Photos

Skyline view of Rome
Vatican City from the top of St Peter's

Monument to the Unknown Soldier
Makes ours at the War Memorial look a little small in comparison does't it?! They are very strict and you're not allowed to sit on the stairs or anywhere else

Nick and the Pope
The white blob you can see on the stage is the Pope!

Inside the Colosseum
The bottom mazes were for the beasts...!!!

The Roman Forum
Nick doing the "Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears" speech right on location

Comments

[Mum and Dad]

Josh leaves tomorrow - looking forward to spend xmas with you and lisa Keep having a good time Very hot over here - poms 260 behind in 3rd test with 6 wickets in hand last day today