I have a week off work
this week as it's the 'half term' break for the kids, so their
parents are taking them up to Wales to visit their grandparents and
my friend Joan and I are going to Rome! Joan took the train from
Ipswich on Saturday and then we drove to Brighton to see the “Miss
Pole Dance UK” championships. Unfortunately I'm not sure the
90minute drive was worth it! As some of you may know; the WA heats
for Miss Pole Dance Australia have been held at Burswood
Entertainment centre and usually attract more than a thousand people
(I'm estimating here). The heats for the whole of the UK were held at
the back of a bar without any seating, and a crowd of around 150
people. There were a couple of quite good performers (and also a few
who had never even performed on stage before!) but considering that
the winner will be representing their whole country at the World
Championships, I wasn't too impressed!
Joan and I flew from
Heathrow to Rome Fumicino (aka Leonardo Da Vinci) airport on Sunday
night, arriving at 7:10pm as scheduled. We rang our accommodation to
request a shuttle pick up (advertised on their website for 11 Euros
pp), only to find out that all bookings have to be made 48 hours in
advance (which was NOT advertised on the site!). After several laps
of the airport, trying to find out the best way to get to the
accommodation, and finding all of the information and tourist centres
closed, we eventually paid 20 Euros each to get a private shuttle
from the airport to our accomodation; “The Camping Village Roma”
which is 20min outside Vatican City.
Once we arrived, things
went more smoothly. We checked in (to our small twin bungalow with
ensuite), walked down to the Supermarket to get a few things, and had
tea at the restaurant (all part of the 'Camping Village'), but didn't
make use of the pool, or bar (all open until 11pm every night).
Today we went to the
Vatican City. We took a shuttle from the Camping Village Roma (CVR)
which dropped us off near the Vatican for only 2 Euros return pp (and
it didn't require 48 hours notice for booking)! We were approached by
various touts trying to sell us guided tours and tickets which
allowed us to skip the lines, however apparently they are not all
licensed and have reputation for selling tickets which are not
valid! I was considering taking the risk when I saw the size of the
line to get in to the Vatican Museum, but the lines moved quickly and
we were inside within 20 minutes.
We took our time
looking around and taking lots of photos, looking at galleries,
sculptures, The Vatican Gardens, endless amazing ceilings, tapestries
and paintings. We went through the Sistine Chapel looking up in awe
(and finishing with rather stiff necks)! And walked up and down
hundreds of steps. After a couple of souvenir purchases, we headed to
the cafeteria for lunch (and to rest our feet).
We spent about an hour
in St Peter's Cathedral taking lots of photos and watching a
procession of people led by priests in white robes; all singing
Hallelujah in mournful tones. We had some gelato and walked to St
Angelo's Castle (which unfortunately turned out to be closed on
Mondays). We walked along and found some markets (leading to more
souvenir and personal purchases!
), and decided to walk the rest of the
way around the walls of the Vatican City for a change of scenery.
However, we were not able to walk in a very direct path, and ended up
doing much more walking than we had bargained for, so we decided to
catch an earlier shuttle back to CVR and find somewhere local for
tonight's tea.
Tomorrow we have plans
to see the Colosseum, The Roman Forum, The Palatine, The Pantheon,
Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps...however we may go back on
Wednesday if we don't get around to it all!!
Arrividerci :)
