Hopefully you can guess from the incomplete title that this will be a two part blog. Writing this in Rome on our 1st night but will see when/how to upload. One thing I’m afraid off is the limited capacity of my brain – all this wonderful and amazing sights are surely pushing out some information stored there. Better not forget important details like how great the Dragons are, when Mother’s Day is (oops – too late) or how to solve quadratic equations!
Today was one our biggest days so far. And someone told me we’re not even half way through this adventure. Luckily we have a fantastic group of people – no real issues and having room on the bus certainly keeps everyone sane. Don’t know how I would cope cooped up with 40 people for so long.
Starting to slip with writing these blogs – at least people reading them keep me honest. Got a few people on the bus doing travel diaries but seems they might be slipping more than I am.
Florence
After our walking tour last night, we only had 4 hours to try and fit in as much as possible of Florence. Due to the rain decided against a climb and waste of a view. Still had heaps of options so went to the palace first and got this photo.
(fake David and I)
Since the truly great art museums would take too long – decided with some others to go the Science Museum and especially see Galileo’s telescope. Pretty cool for something around 400 years old. No photos were allowed but grabbed a couple I liked, including this one.
(Science Museum – fancy machine with mirror, can just see me)
After that museum, headed to the main Cathedral which took over 200 years to complete. Very impressive. Most of the church doesn’t have any decorations but it’s still massive.
(Cathedral dome – can climb up there)
There was a huge flood and they discovered an even older church underneath this one. Went down then and saw a few tombs and mosaics.
(Old church under cathedral – bit tight in places)
And before you knew it the 4 hours were done. Didn’t get to see the true David so that will have to wait till next time. People said it was great but a decent line there. Had time for one final stop though...
(gelato in the rain? Of course!)
Heading to Rome
One of our shortest travel trips started badly from Florence when we couldn’t get our bus out of the hostel. Someone had parked illegally (with their hazard lights on – does that make it legal??) and boxed us in. After waiting for an hour and a half our bus driver got so fed up that with some help, bounced and moved the car around so that we could get out. Bit of damage to the car but we were gone before he returned... In case police are listening – I’m on a Trafalgar Tour Bus heading to Spain!
Walking tour of Rome
We arrived at Roma, got dropped at a train station and started our 4 hour walking tour. If Paris steals your heart, Rome must take everything else. I agree with the people saying that photos just don’t do this city justice. As I’ve travelled it’s always been Roman influence on everything – now in the heart of Rome it’s so overwhelming.
Some of the highlights we visited for those that know what’s going on – Spanish steps (financed by the French – Oui, Oui), Trevi Fountain (didn’t toss 3 coins in... but saw a proposal), Pantheon, Piazza Venezia... the list goes on.
(Pantheon – with scaffolding)
Bit of a story about the scaffolding. One of the people on the tour commented when we got to Paris that wherever she visits, there’s always scaffolding. So if anyone sees scaffolding on this tour it’s always her fault. Really disappointed when the fountain used in Angels and Demons (water death) was surrounded by fences and scaffolding...
Colosseum
Our final stop on the epic walking tour was the Colosseum which had been one the most looked forward to things on the trip. And it didn’t disappoint – so old and so much history! It would have been incredible in its heyday.
Tons of photos but the best one was an accident. I usually have my camera set on ‘Intelligent Auto’ since it is smarter than me when it comes to taking photos... We were set up on the other side of a road to the colosseum and was trying to time photos between buses. Quickly took a couple and then started this one and the camera took over and did a delayed shutter speed or something. Very nearly moved it because I didn’t understand what was going on – but got this photo...
(Very Intelligent Camera took this)
I think it says a lot about my photographic skills that an accident is my best photo. And I still can’t find that setting manually...
I’m actually writing this after the full day in Rome – it just blows your mind. Will save it for later but you just can’t do Rome in a day. Rome has taken top spot on the places I’ve visited – I wish I could just holiday forever...
Week Ahead
Thurs, 6th of May Rome to Patras, Greece
Fri, 7th of May Patras to Athens
Sat, 8th of May Athens to Greek Island
Sun, 9th of May Greek Island
Mon, 10th of May Greek Island
Tues, 11th of May Back to Athens
Wed, 12th of May Athens to Meteora
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