Rome - Sunday June 21

We left the ship at 7 am.  The cruise is officially over.  Our driver brought us to our hotel in downtown Rome (or Roma) not two blocks from the Colosseum.  We walked up and started taking pictures.  Four of us signed up for a “45-minute” walking tour that started in “10 minutes.”  Well, thirty minutes later we started walking - the opposite direction from the Colosseum.  Turns out we went to the far right in the second photo below to the prison where Peter and Paul were held.  Said prison was an old cave, and it only took 3 guards to secure it as the only way in or out was through a hole in the ground.  Some very neat history in the jail / museum.  We did not know this bit was included and was a nice surprise - even though we walked a mile to see it.

Once we returned to the Colosseum, we got to jump the tour lines and walk straight in with our personal guide.  However, Sandy became “Michelle” as that was the name on the ticket.  Michelle was too hot to continue with the next 2 hours we spent inside the Colosseum.  If you ever go, this was the way to go - getting priority entrance instead of waiting in long lines, as it was packed.  Ticket price? $140US per person.  Mind you though, it was 98F in Roma today (that’s 37C).  Not much shade.  Lots of walking and stairs.  But totally worth it.  Mom and Bill wisely chose to sit inside the Cafe Roma and wait for our return.  

Next we went back to the hotel to cool off for just a bit and check-in with the airlines as we fly at 12:15 pm tomorrow.  Then we walked half a block down the street to enjoy a late Italian lunch at 2 pm which took 2 hours (not really, but it felt like it).  However the food was delicious!  And Boppum paid!  Bonus.

From the restaurant we grabbed a taxi and went up to Trevi Fountain.  It was really closed in by buildings but the fountain was impressive.  Boppum threw three coins into the water (representing 3 wishes).  From there a cab back to the hotel to cool down. And then we diverge.  Boppum took a shower, climbed into bed with a book and called it a night.  Bill made it up to the roof, but by 6 pm, he was doing the same thing.  

Andy, Austin, Sandy and I went out on a drink / souvenir hunt and were successful.  An Italian dinner for 5 (the octogenarians were in bed) at 8:30 pm.  Then down to the colosseum to get night photos.  Showers and bed.  Tomorrow we fly home!

The altar at the prison where Peter and Paul were held

A panoramic shot of the ancient buildings.
On the far right is the prison where Peter & Paul were held

The floor of the Colosseum

A hallway toward the floor

The group that toured the Colosseum 

The Colosseum at night

Me & Boppum at Trevi Fountain

An Italian lunch just down from our hotel - 2 blocks from the Colosseum

  


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