Roma Roma Roma!!!!!

Roma Roma Roma!!!

Everywhere we looked in this wonderful crazy city there was ancient civilization staring at us!

From the moment we arrived to 30 degree heat, grabbed a cab to Travestre, which is a very old part of Roma that was originally a working class suburb, and wound our way through tiny cobbled streets to our apartment while being entertained by a busker on saxaphone, we knew we had made the right decision. At the apartment, Sharon and I danced a little jig (literally) to celebrate our arrival, while the kids started to show the signs of having jet lag on jet lag after a flight from HK took 17 hours across three time zones (Gotta love those layovers in Heathrow).

The weather remained hot getting to 36 degrees which was fantastic!  We had an easy first day having a look around Travestre and then jumping on the tram to have a look at the ruins of the Nero's palace (by the colleseum) to stretch our legs. This  was a great way to start our time in Roma, getting used to the language and finding our way around while also getting in a few provisions so that we could self cater for some meals.

The mother of the people we rented the apartment from, Rosalba Albanese runs a ristorente called Marios, which is quite well known in Travestre. I can see why. It was fantastic - the food was brilliant, the service exceptional, and they are outgoing and friendly people. They especially had a soft spot for Saint Bridget and Saint Matteo with Biddy especially reminding Rosalba of her granddaughter in NZ. A must if you ever get to Roma is to dine here - the price is what local Italians pay and it is truly authentic food.

A highlight for us was visiting the Vatican and finding a guide -Jennifer Cody who showed us around St Pedros basilica and then onto the Vatican museum to see the sistene chapel. Wow - she was so knowledgeable we stopped in every room and learnt heaps about the masters  - MichaelAngelo, Raphael, Bertelli, and so on and so on. Incredible - it came to life for us and held the kids attention so much that after 4 hours they didn't  want to leave.

We saw heaps of sights during our four days but for us the memories of Roma will always be the sirens of the ambulances, learning to look both ways when crossing the road always, the mad drivers, the beautiful people who are surely the most attractive race on earth, the food and the warmth and outgoing nature of the people even when we were butchering their language.  Not to mention the millions of scooters.

Hers a tip - if you are heading to see the sights get there early around 9ish to avoid the queues.

But after two big cities in HK and Roma it is time for Toscana and some quieter times.

Until our next blog - arrivederci.