Ancient Ostia Antica

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Another hot day was anticipated so we managed an early start, this time to the site of the ancient Roman port town of Ostia Antica. It was only a short drive from the holiday camp but part of the journey was along a road bordered by pine trees typical of the area. They provide great shade but unfortunately their root system meant a rollercoaster ride for a few miles.
The attendant at the ticket office to the archaeological site was in a very happy mood and with discounts we entered with half price tickets. This ancient city was home to over 100,000 Romans. Today the ruins are spread over such a wide area it would take quite a number of hours to see them all. Early attempts to preserve and restore the wonderful mosaic floors had been unsuccessful and new methods are now being used to protect these wonderful pieces of work. Our zoological member was quite excited by the number of green speckled skinks running over the brick work. It reminded her of the work she did with the Otago skinks back in New Zealand.
After viewing the theatre, baths and buildings lining the main road through the site it was time to move on. The desire to view the Mediterranean for the last time took us to the seaside resorts of Rome. It is the start of the Italian summer holidays and it seemed as though all of Rome had decided to leave Rome to the tourists. Every nook and cranny was filled with parked cars or scooters and the waterfront was a continuous line of crowded public and private beaches for many kilometres. We drove as far south as Anzio, 41 kilometres away, and the beaches seemed to never end. Anzio was the site of an amphibious landing during World War 2 in an attempt to break the stalemate at Cassino. As we left Anzio we made a brief stop at the Commonwealth War Cemetery with 1056 headstones marking the final resting place of so many young men.
Today was Catherine’s last day with us before she flies back to the UK. We have had a wonderful time together sharing some great adventures and having lots of laughs. We will miss her input when choosing what to do each day and her wonderful choice of foods. On her first night with us she produced delicious bruschetta using very limited cooking appliances but ever resourceful she got on with the task. We said our farewells at Ciampino Airport as Catherine prepared to depart on a late flight home. We will catch up again in the UK in late August.
Now we are two again and getting ready for the next stage of our adventure.

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Comments

[Catherine]

What great blog entries, you've described our time in Rome perfectly, it was a great week and I enjoyed all of it! Wish I was able to still be there but your fun and adventures will continue. Thank you for letting me come along :)

[Miltonrabbit]

Great travelling companion
It was great have your company and to share our laughs and frustrations. Hope you enjoyed reminiscing when reading the blog about Tuscany. See you in August, if not before.