Le Journal de +Louise

Trip Report – {Rome 6 Nov 2008}

Today marked the our final day in Rome. We woke up at the crack of dawn, revisited the Trevi, threw coins over our shoulders, and hoped for the possibility of returning to the Eternal City one day.

Next stop: Florence =)

Trip Report – {Rome 5 Nov 2008}

Well rested from our fourth day in Rome, we woke up bright and early for our journey into the Vatican City. Having read that the line into St Peter’s Basilica becomes excruciatingly long post 11am, we gulped down our breakfast and made it to the papal state before 10am.

Vatican City

Vatican City is a city-state and is the central authority of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the smallest country in the world and is located on the right bank of the Tiber River. Vatican City also issues its own currency, postage stamps and has its own newspaper and broadcasting facilities.

St Peter’s Square

St Peter’s Square refers to the large piazza directly in front of St Peter’s Basilica. At the center of the square stands an Egyptian obelisk made of red granite. It is the only obelisk that has not toppled since Ancient Roman times.

Ranks of columns that surround the square.

Saints in the sky…

Papal Swiss Guards of the Vatican City.

This is where the Pope addresses the people gathered at St Peter’s Square.

St Peter’s Basilica

St Peter’s Basilica houses the biggest interior of any Christian churches in the world and it does indeed live up to its apt title of the “greatest of all churches in Christendom”. I was in awe of its sheer grandeur and felt very blessed indeed to witness its architectural splendour.

One of the domes in the cathedral adorned with colourful frescoes.

St Peter’s Basilica also houses the tomb of St Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.

Globe structure within the Vatican Museum Gardens.

Sistine Chapel

Photography was not permitted within the Sistine Chapel, however we still managed to sneak a way of capturing Michelangelo’s masterpiece; there was no way we were leaving the glorious chapel without a single memento.

The clever use of bright colours, skillful strokes and the brilliant play of light and shadows breathed life into the paintings on the ceiling.

After a long day and a somewhat confusing subway ride, we made our way back to the centre of Rome. Day 5 is our final night in this ancient city, weary as we were, we couldn’t possibly leave Rome before returning to the Colosseum to bask in its full moonlit glory. So after a quick shower, we hopped on the Metro and bade this magnificent structure a fond farewell…

After the past 3 schedule packed days, we decided to sleep in a little and then take a long stroll around the city. Day 4 in Rome was a day of sorts. A day of streetscape photography, of interesting characters, of a new part of Rome and, of course, a day of utmost importance in political history…

We strolled past this antique shop after breakfast and saw the most breathtaking vintage chandeliers…sigh…

A pleasant morning with long anticipated news…

The most unassuming Obama supporter…

Campo dei Fiori market

Campo dei Fiori is a piazza near Piazza Navona and literally means ‘field of flowers’. The market was filled with food and street vendors.

Characters around Piazza Navona…

I managed to snap a picture of this adorably well dressed old man while crossing at the lights. Everybody should be this well-suited no matter what day of the week and what time of the day…

Trastevere

We crossed the Tiber River and walked all the way to the west bank. Trastevere is almost like the timid sister of the bustling city of Rome, connected, but yet, not entirely the same.

Santa Maria Basilica

Santa Maria Basilica is one of the oldest churches in Rome and the queen of all churches in Trastevere. It was tucked away in a snug corner of a piazza and has the most modest of facades. However, gorgeous ancient medieval mosaics graced the interior of this old church, with the sun streaming in through the glass windows, the entire church was enveloped in a warm glow.

A haggard lady begging for a pittance in front of the church…

These 2 street buskers drew a small crowd in one of the cobbled stone alleys, so we stopped and watched.

Sunset at the Tiber River…

Saw them from a mile away and I just couldn’t help myself….

Rome pedestrian crossing near our hotel at peak hour…

It rained that night but we braved the weather and went out to seek the infamous Giolitti gelato parlour. The limone flavour was both biting yet heavenly. We went to bed around 10pm and were ready to hop out the next morning to the Vatican.

Trip Report – {Rome 4 Nov 2008}

We awoke to the murmur of early morning shower pattering against the windows, we were so tempted to sleep in and hit that snooze button for the umpteenth time. However, Pompeii, one of the major highlights of our Rome trip,  was calling our names.

We raced towards the subway station, drenched in the rain and barely made it for our scheduled train. We rode towards the city of Naples and boarded another train that took us straight to the ruins.

The regional Circumvesuviana train ride towards the ancient Pompeii site was an experience in itself.
We had to hold on tight to our belongings (hence no pictures inside the train) as there were suspicious characters and child beggars roaming the aisles, as the train traveled away from the city and towards a more derelict countryside.

After just a short 10 minute walk, we arrived at the tourist centre of the ancient city of Pompeii. We purchased day passes for 2, each at 11Euros and headed towards Porta Marina, the entrance to the ruins of Pompeii…..

Pompeii used to be a bustling city, rife with prostitution and politics, and also, a favourite amongst Romans for summer holiday getaways.

All of the city’s roads were polygonal blocks made from the lava of Mt Vesuvius….

On a warm day in AD79, Pompeii was entirely destroyed, and approximately 2,000 people were buried during a long catastrophic eruption of Mt Vesuvius over 2 days.

The volcano collapsed higher roof-lines and buried the entire city of Pompeii under 60ft of ash and pumice, and was lost for nearly 1,700 years before its re-discovery in 1748.

A heart chilling plaster cast of a Pompeii civilian in a prayer position…

One of the water fountains….

Us at the Arch of Caligola at the main intersection of the city…

A house/villa…

Columns of the Pompeii Forum..

An old amphitheater…

The entire day was downcast with dramatic clouds overhanging from the sky.
This is a picture of Leo with Mt Vesuvius in the background…

We left Pompeii absolutely in awe at the destruction left by the quiet Mt Vesuvius, overlooking the entire excavation site. Even though the whole town was wiped so many years ago, with nothing left but ruins, artifacts and charred remains, it was a hopeful sight to behold that some things did survive, and Life, still goes on…

The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the Senate. It is the sand of the Colosseum…

Gracchus, Gladiator (Movie)

Trip Report – {Rome 3 Nov 2008}

The second day of our Roman adventure was prefaced by a surprise proposal, subsequently right after, we headed straight for breakfast. The breakfast room was well stocked with pastries, cereals, coffee, hot and cold foods, but the best thing about it??
Having breakfast al fresco at the rooftop terrace overlooking the Trevi Fountain!

Monument Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele II
We took the subway all the way to Stazione Termini and then a long stroll towards ancient Rome.

On the way to the Colosseum, we dropped by grand Monument Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele II. Vittorio was a unified Italy’s first king, and boy, was the monument befitting for one. Made entirely out of pure white marble, under the glorious Roman sun, it was glaringly white and highly conspicuous amongst its generally brownish surroundings.

Capitoline Hill, Palatine Hill & the  Roman Forums
In ancient times, Capitoline Hill used to be the political nerve of Rome. Now it houses the Capitoline Museum, and also a perfectly proportioned square, Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo.

A replica of Marcus Aurelius’ equestrian statue in the middle of the piazza.

The forum once served as a city square and central hub where the people of Rome gathered for faith and justice and was considered to be the center of the Republic Empire.

Now, it lies in ruins.

Colosseum
At last…

Ever since Ridley Scott’s unforgettable film Gladiator hit the silver screens back in 2000, the Colosseum occupied a significant place in my heart. To finally be able to stand in its stupendous presence was definitely a heart-stirring moment.

Even though it is partially damaged due to stone robbers and earthquakes over the years, amidst the troupes of tourists, the Colosseum still stands tall on its compact grounds. There was a certain calm that gently enveloped the ancient amphitheater, part eerie, part surreal.

View of the hypogeum. A series of underground tunnels used to house animals and slaves for gladiatorial games.

We found a quiet little corner away from the curious tourists, with the most perfect lighting against the most dramatic backdrop, we mounted our camera precariously on a huge rock and sneaked this snap…

Modern day gladiators roamed the gates of the Colosseum, instead of fighting wild animals like the days of old, they now pose for pictures with awe struck tourists for several euros.

As much as ancient Rome tries to assimilate with its modern day counterpart; the magnificent Colosseum, the old ruins, the iconic architecture, all right in the middle of the city, will always serve as a reminder to the locals, tourists and the rest of the world alike, of the once invincible imperial glory of Rome.

After an extremely long day and many miles of ancient grounds under our weary feet, we decided to bid ancient Rome a fair goodbye; as the sun set on yet another beautiful Roman day.