The Vatican...

If you ever go to Rome, a must-see is the Vatican.  St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel to be exact.  Our hotel, the Atlante Star, was within walking distance.  As a matter of fact, we could see the Vatican from the dining room where we had our delightful breakfasts, and an elegant, delicious, (and expensive) dinner!!!   All around the Vatican are "hawkers" trying to get you to buy one of their tours.  When we found out that you bypassed the long lines trailing alongside the wall of the Vatican, we decided to spend the extra for a private group tour.  We really lucked out...our tour guide was fabulous!  Excellent English and an artist in her own right...she also was mindful of the heat and crowds when and where she grouped us so that she could give us her spiel.

We started out in the Vatican museum...

You have to keep your eyes peeled, look up, look down, look all around...because every inch of space is fascinating and oh, so beautiful...

The blue tile in the floor is done with Lapis Lazuli...very hard to come by in the days that this was built.  It was considered royal...

On the way to the Sistene Chapel...but alas, no cameras allowed in the Chapel...no talking either...funny thing though, we were about the only ones who felt it appropriate to show respect for their rules...

This again is another example of my thinking that the closer to off season you travel to Rome the better.  It was incredibly crowded in the museum and the Chapel...literally wall to wall people.  Never the less, it should be on everyone's bucket list...it's a must!!!

The Ultimate in Roman Antiquities...the Coliseum...

We opted for a guided tour through the Coliseum...got to pass the line and go straight in...a definite bang for our buck!!!

Our tour guide was great...but darned if I remember what the significance of this window was!!!

Just above the walkway, where you see the arches and sloping walls, is actually the gallery of seats where the vestal virgins sat and cheered on the gladiators of their choice...

(Now, that I do remember!!!)

Under the floor of the coliseum were halls and rooms where the animals were kept...

They would also stage ship battles in the floor of the Coliseum by flooding the main floor...

Gladiators, of course, were the main source of entertainment...with a thumbs up, thumbs down vote to decide if they're fighting to the death...

Touring Rome...

We walked and periodically hopped on and off the "Hop on-Hop off" buses to tour Rome...

We saw beautiful little spots along the way...

And, well, what can I say??? Perhaps this is a new concept for serving the homeless...

New camera...creates new photographer nut!!!

(and wow!!! what a nice camera...Canon 5D)
Oops...I stand corrected...it's a Canon 7D!!!

A quiet little bistro on the side of the road...

The Spanish Steps...I think they're there...can you see them through the throngs of tourists???

And on to the Trevi Fountain...Belissimo!!!

And yep...throngs of people again!!! Most of them were turning around and pointing at me...it was so hot, I was spouting more fluids than the fountain!!!

Some of our cruiser friends toured Rome after the cruise and saw the fountain at night...all lit up and less people!!!

This guy wouldn't give up...he got exasperated because as the bus sat here at the pick up spot, try as he might, he couldn't get a sale...didn't matter if you already had a parasol, he still wanted you to buy his!!! No black velvet paintings or pottery piggy banks though...

This was fascinating...just outside of the Coliseum is the Palantine Hill...the centermost hill of the Seven Hills of Rome. Augustus actually declared this site the original town of Rome after fragments of Bronze Age pots and tools were found. The site was roped off, and the archaeological dig was begun...and here it is today...

Back on Track...and Ready to Post!!!

Our first stop on our recent trip was to sunny Rome...and let me tell you...the sun was shining in overdrive!!! Supposedly it was around 33 degrees centigrade which would put it at 91 degrees Farenheit...I swear it was closer to 100, with about 90% humidity... But hey! We're in Rome!!!

Anyone for a swim???

Our first day we walked along the Fiume Tevere and around the Castel Sant' Angelo, both near our hotel, the Atlante Star.

Isn't she beautiful?

A little side spot that looked like a cool spot to sit and chat with the neighbors...

Probably the best mode of transportation in Rome...

Just for you Wayne!!! In England they put boots around the wheel of a car for parking too long...in Rome, they'll tow ya!!!

I think Luigi may qualify as my Stranger #1...he was our waiter in our favorite restaurant in Rome, the Varona. Very close to our hotel, we walked here our first night. We were hot, tired and hungry! Luigi took care of us..he brought out this, that and the other, all delectable! He told us that he's been a waiter for a long time, and that for awhile he was in the States, also working as a waiter. He was delightful and made our dinner that much more enjoyable!!!

I believe this is the Roman version of the Mary Kay car!!!

I think you need one Doryce!!!

It was so hot, even the cement lion was shvitzing...

The Miller family...our traveling companions, extraordinaire!!!

No News...No Photos...YET!!!

Hi All!!!

Just a note to let you all know that I didn't drown in the Mediterranean seas nor did I crash on the highway to Mammoth...just a glitch in computer technology in the new place!!! I'll be posting early next week!!!

Thanks for checking in, and I hope you'll be back next week!!!

The Chieftess...aka...Kathy!!!

ps...my new complication!!! One sliced, stitched, and splinted finger!!!

I should be getting the new modem today or tomorrow and will begin posting asap!!!