ROMA

I know I say this every new city every new country I visit but it's so true of all of them, they are all so amazing and Rome is no exception. A little freaked out with the pick pocketing experience hour 2 being here but all that aside - WOW!!!!  Went into the main tourist area yesterday and started off with Vatican City, didn't really know what to expect but lined up in the line that went for close to 500 meters - it was nuts. It moved pretty quickly tho. Started with the Egyptian section, saw my first mummy - pretty gross actually then for the next 2 hours just walked around 7km's of artwork, sculptures,  artifacts, drawings - you name it,  it was there, my walk ended in the Sistine Chapel, took ages to get there but it was worth the wait. The artwork in this place is just incredible!! It's hard to describe it really, the detail in which it is all done is incredible. It's hard to imagine this was done by hand that many years ago by the 1 person. It blows your mind. The entire Vatican Museum is a place you all have to visit. About 2 I made my way from there and ended up round the back of the city, St Peters Square, just as beautiful and massive. It seems so weird standing in places that such historical things have happened.  Walked past Castal Sant'Angelo then I jumped on a hop on hop off open air bus to sight see, got to stop 4 and jumped off.   Made my way to IL Vitroriano, this place is just beautiful, massive white structure with bronze statues on the roof, just Devine. Makes a nice change to what I've been seeing. Walked round the corner and staring at me was the Colosseum what a sight, it is massive. I got a little excited, always been fascinated with that place. Thanx Russell ;) Making my way to the Colosseum I pass the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, it's massive, just ruin after ruin, it's amazing. I get to the Colosseum and  once inside this place you are in awe of all that happened there all those 1000's of years ago. To see where such atrocities occurred and also such acts of braveness was awesome.  To think that this building is still pretty much un tact and it was built between AD72 by Emperor Vespasain and finished by Titus his son in AD80 Everywhere you look there are ruins.  Made my way to the Pantheon passing famous ruin upon ruin. Was walking down a pretty basic street then as I turn the corner pretty unexpectedly I come across this old building from the back, you just know that this has to be something pretty special and yes it was, it was the back of the Pantheon, wow another breathtaking moment, I quickly make my way to the front and what a  pretty cool place, the square was jam packed with tourists.  Spent about 30 mins there.   Make my way towards the Trevi Fountain and wow another beautiful place, I have no pix of this as both my phone and camera had run out of batteries. Devastated!  Beautiful place, throw in the euro as everyone does, did you know that about 3000€ is thrown into that fountain every single day?  Time to head back now could jump on the bus again but I'm loving getting lost in the streets of Rome.  About half way back to the pick up point I get stuck in the most amazing thunder storm, there is no where to hide so I thought what the hell just enjoy and enjoy I  did, I walked for about an hour back to the bus and was enjoying the beautiful streets, the sites, the buildings & not to mention every Indian man in history try sell me a bloody umbrella, couldn't they tell by looking at me that it was way to late for an umbrella lol. Catch my bus, get back to my room, have a bite to eat and just crash from exhaustion. It has been such an awesome day, one to remember. My first day in 6 weeks that I've been completely on my own and I loved every single second of it. Now tomorrow to just relax by the pool and get ready for the Busabout link again.