Day 22: - A wet look at Rome!

We had a great day today, although I suspect that Julie (IN particular) will be having a good night’s sleep tonight... I will start from the beginning...

We started the day with breakfast and it was still raining. It started a little last night between finishing dinner and to the hotel. But overnight, it was much more. Anyways, we marched on and got onto a hop on/off bus and were lucky enough to get upstairs first seat and under cover! We went all around which took about 2.5 hours and then went BACK to the hotel to get some warmer clothes on. It was cold and wet!

We then had some lunch, some hot sandwich’s, and then jumped back on the hop on/off bus to the Vatican City/St Peters Square. The rain had eased a little, but it was still cold!

We were walking through when approached about a walking guided tour by a girl from London. It seemed very strange, we could try a short distance for free, and it seemed ok. But it really seemed strange when we ended up in a bar to pay for the tour and entry fee!

Anyway, we threw caution to the wind, and paid our money (16 Euro) and we were on our way. She was very good, obviously enjoyed doing these tours and was passionate. Why we were worried I will never know!

Rome St Peters Square PANORAMA, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

After the tour (2 hours) we (I really wanted) to head to the top of the Dome of St Peters. There was a lift, but it only went a sort way and from there, there was 320 odd steps. I knew that after the Duomo in Florence, this would be a breeze! I was so proud of the 'Grey Brigade' for doing it. The view, even through the rain, was magnificent!

Rome and Vatican City, originally uploaded by AussiePomm. 1. Rome DIG, 2. Rome Horses, 3. Rome Castle, 4. Rome Coloseum, 5. Rome Coloseum Side, 6. SMJ St Peters Square, 7. Rome St Peters Square, 8. Rome Couple Tour, 9. Rome Mum Inside St Peters Museum, 10. Rome Neros Bath, 11. Rome Pope's Garden, 12. Rome Swiss Guard, 13. Rome St Peters Square Outdoor Mass, 14. Rome BEFORE the climb, 15. Rome DURING the climb, 16. Rome MUM last leg up to the Dome, 17. Rome Looking down into the Popes Garden, 18. Rome St Peters Square From Dome Top, 19. Rome Michelanglos last work, 20. Rome Grapes at Treve Fountain Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Anyway, the trip down (as in most cases) was nowhere near as hard and mum almost ran down. We then hit the souvenir shop and then to the Treve Fountain and dinner.

Dinner was also great, I had a Mushroom Risotto, YES Mushroom, whilst Julie had Spinach Risotto, Michael Italian Sausages and Fennel and mum had Spaghetti Bolognaise! It was all VERY good, and not to badly priced!

I am now back in the hotel, only person here, and then a group of German/Dutch maybe, people came in. There was plenty of space but they decided to literally sit on top of me! I fell as though my personal space is compromised... One lady, trying to sit near her partner, was SO close to me, I asked her if she would like to sit on my lap! I think she/they got the idea as they moved a few seconds ago when I was updating my FB status!

Anyway, tomorrow at noon we get picked up and taken to the port to board at 2pm. Not sure about internet whilst I am away, but we will see...

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