After a days delay in visiting Rome we set off yesterday and then went again today so this will be a potted version of some spectacular sights and experiences.
There is a bus that leaves the site and takes us to the train station where we board the air conditioned train to take the hour long journey to Rome. All for 6 euros and that includes travel by bus or metro within the city for the whole day - excellent value.
The day started badly when we got up very early (for us these days) - 6.30am and went to shower - cold water for me. It woke me up though! Then after breakfast we went to catch the bus and the train which was easy and uneventful. After disembarking at San Piero station we went straight to the Vatican entrance and asked to book a guided tour for Saturday (thinking we could have a day of rest on Friday) - fully booked. After much debate and sorry looks from us they agreed to allow us to tag on with another group tomorrow (Friday) - great.
We left there to walk to the centre of Rome - then we went wrong, got lost, walked for ages and were told where we should be. Then we turned round and walked for ages again until we reached the sites. We were hot, bothered and hungry so we stopped for a sandwich and a coffee. Then we started the sightseeing tour proper - at last!
We saw lots of grand buildings, then the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Heat and aching feet got the better of us and Steve got blisters on his feet -never before on this holiday through all the cities that we have visited! We bought some very expensive plasters and had to return to the shop three times as they came off within 20 metres each time. The girls in the shop blamed his feet! and gave us another packet free - Dr Scholl be ashamed. The Colosseum was next and as we saw the queue a guide appeared and we took advantage of that. We paid only a little extra, skipped the queue and got a full action packed account of the lives and times during the use of the Colosseum. It also included a guided tour of the Palatine Hill and the Forum which was sensational too. We were very impressed - tired and painful or not. After the tour we were left to wander around the Forum by ourselves to get a sense of the place - awesome!
A sit down and some sustenance was called for so we did this before hurrying to catch the tube to take us to the station. The doors were closing as Steve approached and he got wedged in them - very fierce they were too. His ribcage was squashed and he was left in pain. The doors did open again though so we went in and caught our train back to the campsite - Steve full of painkillers.
When we arrived in Bracciano the last bus had gone so we searched high and low for a taxi - none to be found. We wandered around for an hour before a kind Italian phoned for one for us and we were taken home - absolutely shattered but totally knocked out by what we had seen and determined not to let the problems ruin our fantastic day.
A long, hot shower before a good nights sleep put the world to rights and we prepared to leave again for Rome in the morning.
Today we decided to drive to Bracciano and try to park at the train station instead of taking the bus and placing ourselves in the same position as before. It actually worked and we managed to secure the last place in the car park - but we only needed one! The train journey went smoothly - we are very impressed by their trains. Double deckers, very clean and cool - and the trains are on time and very cheap.
We had a wander around when we reached Rome and bought a few momentoes, then had a sandwich and drink before going to the Vatican. Our guided tour was on time and very efficient. She took us around the Vatican museum and told us all about the rooms, frescoes and statues as well as a lot of the history before explaining all about the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel before letting us loose in it. There is absolutely no talking in there so the guide did not come with us all. The whole experience was mind blowing - too much to describe really. We took loads of photos in the permitted areas and have been left with such a strong and positive impression. Afterwards we went into St Peters Basilica which is immense and extremely beautiful - it is of course the church of churches. My prayers were said in there and if they are not answered there they will not be answered anywhere so I am hoping.
We had a bite to eat and drink afterwards that was more than welcome - we had spent over 3.5 hours in there overall and the feet ached ++. Steve had stood up to it well with painkillers and is on the mend.
The train journey gave us a chance to relax before coming back to Steve's cooking - he made us a lovely chilli con carne - most welcome bless his heart.
Tomorrow is definitely a blob out day to recover.... then on Sunday we move on again to Sorrento, Vesuvius and Pompeii.
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