Jan 22, 2013 - Entry 3

I don’t think texts asking, “hey want to meet at the coliseum for a glass of wine after class?” will ever get old. Not really sure where this journal is going beyond some ranting. I could talk about all the places I’ve seen, but so could the first google result to a “tourism in rome” search. So until I leave this beautiful city, I’ll just talk about experiences that can’t be found online. We’re planning a spring break to Barcelona and Southern France to go on a soccer game circuit. We’re meeting plenty of locals. We got our first discount...

Jan 21, 2013 - Last day in Rome

Last day in Rome, so much to do. Weather not great but ok. Spent the day sightseeing in the morning then found a great pub to watch Chelsea v Arsenal. Last night we went to watch AS Roma play Inter MIlan. You could hear the crowd chat before you got into the stadium. There was lots of singing and flares being sent off. All were having a great time. Off to Bangkok now Ben

Jan 18, 2013 - Italy - Rome

Hi Today we went to the Coliseum, I learnt that the the gladiators fought on a wooden stage covered by sand, to absorb the blood :o. We also learnt that they would starve the animals three days before they fought so thy were vicious. In Europe Australia's heat is in the top three stories From Ben OOO OOO O O. O. O OOO. OOO OO. OO OO. OO OOO

Dec 4, 2012 - Last day in Rome

Today is our last day in Rome. And our plans have changed again. After flying from Abu Dhabi to Istanbul and then to Rome, we've decided that flying around isn't our cup of tea. So, we've decided to hire a car for the next two weeks and spend the time touring the length and breadth of Italy. Starting from Rome we plan to drive down to Sorrento, along the Amalfi coast across to Lecce, north to San Marino, across to Florence, then to Lake Garda before heading to Milan, where we'll fly out to Prague to meet up with Sam, Jake and Emily for...

Dec 3, 2012 - Vatican Day

Today we visited the Vatican. What can one say? Overwhelming in its grandiosity. Opulent in its splendor. Breathtaking in its scope. What more can one say? Nothing, except to say it is all you would expect, and more. While the Islamic Mosques were just as grandiose in size, there was a simplicity in their beauty. With the Christian structures, there are layers and layers of complexity. It's as if each successive generation has attempted to make their mark by adding more complex murals and edifices than the previous generation. Each addition...

Dec 2, 2012 - Rome

Well, here we are in Rome. Flew in from Istanbul yesterday and arrived mid afternoon. We're staying near the Vatican, St Peter Guest House. Beautiful boutique hotel/B&B located right next to the Vatican on via Ottaviano . Slight glitch when we went to check in. They had us booked in as a single, not a double, and they ere full up for the night. The receptionist, Roxana, made a couple of quick calls and soon sorted the problem. The single room had a small double bed in it which would be OK for us for one night, then we could move into...

Nov 10, 2012 - La bella roma!

Yes I have returned to Rome. Although this is not my favorite city in Italy the sights are truly unique from anywhere else. My Friday started out with me being welcomed into the group of Filipinos on the trip. I was waiting for Murray and Evelyn to come down. Got my food. When I looked up I was invaded my the female portion of the Filipinos. Of course they gave me the first degree interrigation regarding why a single independent woman like myself is travelling alone. I don't know why some people find this so hard to understand. My day in...

Nov 4, 2012 - Civitavecchia - the cruise begins

Today we boarded the Celebrity Equinox for our cruise of the Western Mediteranean. We love cruising. First, we get to unpack and that's it, no dragging suitcases around. We especially appreciated it on this trip as we had 3 suitacases apiece as we were going to be gone 6 weeks and in a wide range of weather. It was an ineresting balancing act hauling them up and down stairs! I ended up sending one of our suitcases down the up escalator. (Fortunately, noone was behind me!) We are also a target for people who wanted exorbitant amounts of...

Nov 2, 2012 - Rome

We spent two days in Rome while waiting for the departure day for our cruise. Even though we had been to Rome before, we went back to the places we had already seen rather than going someplace new. It is amazing to walk places that the Ceasars, Paul, Michaelanglo, DaVinci and others walked and to try to envision what it looked like in their times. One other interesting side note: While there is tagging on almost any and every space possible, the taggers seem to leave the historical monuments free of paint. While they clearly have no respect...

Nov 1, 2012 - Arrivederci Rome Caio Italia

Started out with great excitement as the rain stopped overnight and it promised to be a much more pleasant day. So we got to the stop for the hopon-hopoff bus only to be told that it was a holiday (All Saints Day-apparently they take religious holidays seriously in Rome..oops today is November and therefore sarcasm appreciation month is over..) and the bus wasnt going to come for another hour or more. So Dale set off in one direction and Barb & I hoofed it towards the Coliseum which wasnt really that far away except for the numerous pit...

Oct 31, 2012 - Rome in the Rain

A very Wet and soggy Day. The East Coast of North America is under seige, Venice is 4 feet under water ( pretty sure that they had to cancel the Marathon on Sunday), and Rome is also wet. We began our day with the Hop On Hop Off Bus to take in the main attractions of the City. We definetly didnt hop off and it was difficult to see any of the attractions with the rain pouring down but we did experience the Roman traffic...WOW! if you think downtown Vancouver in rush hour is bad - well you havent experienced anything as yet!!..so i cant even...

Oct 16, 2012 - Awaiting the Transfer to the Cruiseship

All checked out of the hotel and waiting for the bus transfer to the port outside of Rome. Supposed to be sunny all week, with highs of 26C, lows around 13-15C. While in Rome yesterday we had a great laugh! Police were driving through the busy streets, horns going, when we saw the policeman on the passenger side of the car reach out of the window holding a red and white stop sign. He began waving the sign and shouting out the window for everyone to pay attention. Anyway it just caught our funnybones ;)