Monday, April 25, 2011

Italy - Rome

I haz Goldfish Syndrome.
Hence, I'd need to blog the remaining 20% of my memory on Italy before I wipe them all clean.

Come to think about it...I haven't even blogged about Hong Kong.
Such.
A.
Loser.

Cutting all crap short. Too much information in my mind I'm about to combust!

Here goes:-

Destination: Rome
Flight departure: 11.45pm (Local Time)
Arrival (Fiumicino Airport): 6am...zzz

We were given premium access to the VIP lounge before boarding.
Free flow of watered down beer and yummy Bok Choy. Err...
The ice cream was pretty good though. Oh and they had the latest TIMES mag. Pfft

I slept my ass off. Woke up for meals in between, and slept the remaining away.

Venue:
Vatican City

Not gonna tell you the history here. Too much to tell.
And I'll get the facts wrong WTF. Wiki/Google, will you? Awesome.

Be there early. You'll know why.
It was about...8am when we arrived. Streets were pretty empty and we snapped away while waiting for the local tour guide to be there.


She came and handed us each a little walkie.
Absolutely awful looking. Thank goodness for slightly longer hair. #vainpot

But it helps. You could be in France, she'd still be speaking right into your ear drums. And yes, she speaks Engrand.

At 8+am, there was a queue into the basilica.

Amelia.
I swear, she's a woman.

Putting up pictures of the interior is an insult to the church.
SERIOUSLY, it's too damn overwhelming and breathtaking.

I entered and thought I went to heaven. Just that I was talking to unfamiliar gods. #slapsbacktoreality

Anyway, it's gigantic. Probably take 2-3 hours to go through the entire place but some highlights...

The dome where crepuscular rays shone at me.
You say like heaven or not?!

The dome, if not mistaken, is completed by Michelangelo. Either that or started by him and completed by Giacomo della Porta. *bites lips*. Google it.

This I'm sure. Michelangelo's Pieta.

There's now a bullet-proof glass panel before the marble sculpture because an ass chopped the hands of Mother Mary off some time back. *shakes head*.

Italians.

They found the hand and restored it. Same hand, I guess. YAY!

The Pope.
I knelt down on both knees while taking this picture and no one dared to cross my path.

Freaked me out I ran.

Bernini's "Cathedra Petri"

I know this is a holy, so excuse me but...
it's FUCKING beautiful.
Kthanx.

What the pope sees

There was an event the following day.
I obviously forgot what significant day it was, but understood the whole place would be packed, that is.

No, the one in Orange, silly. Pink's my Dad.
I wanted to poke them because they stood as though they were frozen in time. But apparently they are fierce and quote: high reputation for discipline and loyalty.

They might hang me. So...

Top right 2nd window. Where the Pope is.
*waves*

11am - The queue went 1 round the basilica.
Sun was burning. Barbeque Italians YAY!

Venue:

I was warned, to not take pictures with the Gladiators. Because they rob shit off you.
We ran every time a Russell Crowe approached.

JUMP.
Check out my leggings. Major love.

They're not pyjs.

Couldn't resist.
4 euros. Mofos.

Say hi to my tennis court windshield forehead.

Lunch:
Provided (Free)

- Appetizer, salad
- First course, Pizza (1 each)
- Main course, spaghetti
- Dessert, Tiramisu


That's like a 12" from Pizza Hut.
All for me, myself and I.

Verdict: No more pizza for 3 years.

Venue:

The bus stopped us about a couple minutes walk away from the destination.
No complaints. Every single corner and building is a postcard angle. Weather was good. You could walk the whole country, and still feel good.

Until you finally sit down and realize, you've lost your legs.

Dick the Pasta.
Mommy said to buy later. Hence, we forgot.

This is a reply to: THIS

I told Daddy this place probably has very good Feng Shui. Despite the crowd, the constant splashing of water on your face and distracting calls from Gelato sellers, I felt pretty serene just standing there.

Each and every statue means something. DOH!!! Wiki it.

Venue:

We didn't understand why the people loved the sun so much.

We did, the following day.
I'm sorry we said you are all crazy monkeys.

There's really nothing much at the stairs.
A whole lot of youngsters enjoying the rays, making out and...lotsa shopping.

Fashion walk.
AngAng, Lynnie...camp there.


From the peak of the stairs
Scenic view of Rome. Ok you can't see much. I blame my skills and my height.

Trying out my 50mm.
Somehow the Ah Por had to get into the way.

If you ever get here, enter the church. It's nice.
When we did, they were humming some...songs...and because it's Lent, flashes of The Rite kept appearing.

Freaked out and ran off.
I know. I'm a champion.

We stayed at Papillo Hotel.
Spacious rooms, enough for 3, I shared the bed with Mommy because I'm a kid, thank you. My bed was left empty...#win

Food from the cafe was amazing.
I had Pesto Chicken Pasta, Daddy some smoked chicken breast with berry vinegar and Mommy some fish.

I know right, I'm absolutely detailed and accurate. -.-

We shared a Borsch and the bill came to about 60+ euro.

Pretty decent.
#fallsoffchair

From the mart next to the hotel, mutated capsicums.

People in Italy must be really honest.
To purchase fruits, select your choice from the lot, pick your amount, head to the weighing machine, get the price tag, and then to the counter.

D.I.Y

And so we thought, so what if we weigh, head back to the basket and toss more fruits into the bag, after the price tag is printed?

You Italians thank god we're not from TongShan.

For more pictures, here.
Next update, Florence. When I'm...I mean...soon. XD

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