The Roma Marathon!

Well we have had a BIG day today and sitting back in our apartment we are all a little weary! I have spent all my spending money on band aids as now my new shoes are giving me blisters! Darryl can't work out why I'm whingeing with blisters and sore feet as he sees the lovely Roman local ladies prance by in very high dainty stilettos or platform shoes with no problems!

Our first visit today early in the morning -along with thousands of tourists in guided tours - was to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Thank heavens we booked ahead or we'd still be lined up outside waiting to get in! Of course it was all very beautiful and in the Sistine Chapel we were fortunate to be blessed by a priest - quite lovely even for us non Catholics! Unfortunately there is restoration happening and some areas we didn't see. It was amazing to see Michelangelo's work - he was a genius that's for sure.

                

This is in one of the halls leading to the Chapel and gives you an idea of the crowds!! We weren't supposed to photograph inside the Chapel but others were so Darryl snuck one in and here it is of the  ceiling - it's hard to believe Michelangelo spent 10 years painting this! And it's incredible work! 

         

From there we wound our way to find the Spanish Steps (also undergoing restoration which spoils the effect) Along the way Anne saw a hairdresser and as she has been wanting to get her hair cut for ages, she parked us in a ristorante and we happily had a drink and sandwich while she enjoyed a bit of Romas beauty treatment! 

               

Two lovelies sitting on the Spanish Steps! We headed from there to another beautiful old church where we saw another of Michelangelo's work - this time Moses and Julius 2nd. 

                 

Anne was keen to throw some coins in Trevi Fountain but today it was all fenced off and her coins fell a little short! We were fortunate that yesterday we were able to get closer. Seems like all of Roma is under restoration! 

We walked back past the ruins of the Forum and Colosseo to find the area where Circus Maximus was held - you have to use your imagination as it's only a rectangular field now but you could get the idea of where the chariots used to race - like in my favourite movie Ben Hur.  

            

So now we have had 2 days in Roma and we can tick off our to - do list:

1. St Peters Square - tick

2. Vatican & Sistene  chapel  - tick

3. Roman Forum - tick

4. Spanish Steps - tick

5. Monument to Victor Emmanuel 11 - tick

6. The Colossuem - tick

7. Pantheon - tick

8 Trevi fountain - tick

9 Piazza Navona - tick

10. St Angel Castle

11. San Pietro in Vincoli - tick

Our impressions of Roma is of chaotic roads, beautiful buildings around every corner, lovely littles streets with cafés and ristorantes, amazing history and churches. Tomorrow we head off to Florence - with more wonderful experiences no doubt! 

Love to you all. 

Xxxxxxxxxx