Rome

Oops I realised I forgot to post this. Written on Wednesday.

On Monday we had our first day in Rome. In the morning we wondered around and went to a couple of the main attractions. We went to the church Saint Maria Maggoire. It was really impressive inside. We walked to the trevi fountain. It truely was one of those it does not even look at all similar to photos moments- It didn't even have water in it! All the people crowding round for photos and it was closed for cleaning. Not even many coins either! It was super hot so we headed for the patch in green on the map and rested for a couple of hours. In the afternoon we went to castle saint Angelo. Super impressive fortress like castle! Also saw Spanish steps, Pantheon and Plazas Navada.

On Tuesday morning, as close as we got to first thing,  we went to St Peter's bascilica church. We had to catch the metro at peak hour and that was an experience. Had to harness our New Zealand assertiveness to get on one. St Peter's itself is so so big. I like how it's so big that there are little bits you can go into and have 10 separate services happening at the same time. We went up to the top of the dome and that was so cool! Stunning mosaics and a great veiw of Rome. A lot of stairs to get to the top though. We then went on to the Vatican museums. The queue was the longest so far (while Torea and I are arguing that point), and so many pushy people trying to sell their tours. We got in eventually and wow what a museum. There is just so so so much. After a while it actually got really overwhelming. There is so many people as well that you just move with the crowd through it. And no seats to stop and contemplate anything. Sistine chapel at the end of museum as well - impressive art but not really the atmosphere I was expecting with being trapped like sardines in it.
In the afternoon (after a too hot and we can't find good food grumpy moment :P) we went to the colleseum. Again with the pushy people. Then we found someone selling us a tour who was nice and non pushy and treated us like humans and we were so thankful to her we bought the tour. Colleseum really was so incredible, even if a bit rushed with doing a tour. So so old and yet so massive and impressive. Finished the day seeing Palatine hill and the Roman forum, again well worthwhile.
This morning we have now gone on to Santorini! Bring on the swimming