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Off to Rome & the Mediterranean! (2011 Trip)

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On Thursday, August 25th we left early in the morning from LAX.  We took a Delta flight to Atlanta, but when we arrived it took us a while to get off the plane. Ended up having to haul ass from terminal T all the way to terminal E. Had just enough time to get to our gate and fit in a bathroom break. We were some of the last to get in and a woman had sat in our seats hoping to sit next to her hot boyfriend and swap seats with one of us. Sorry lady. We paid the extra to have Economy Plus and sit together for the next 10 hours.

Flying to Rome – Aug 25, 2011

I think we’re packed
Larry at LAX
Hobie at LAX too
On our way to Atlanta
Somewhere over the US
Us on our way to Rome!
Economy Plus is wonderful – free drinks!
Goodnight

It ended up being a great flight but very hard to fall asleep. So at 8:30am when we got to Fiumicino, we were still kinda exhausted. Customs was non existent and the guy humored us when he stamped our passport. We easily found the route to the Leonardo Express train that takes us into Rome. Got our tickets and ran to one of the cars very far down the track as it was already loading when we got there. Me and my four bags managed to get in the train but it was hard. I hate all those bags.

The train into Rome was surprisingly fast and before we knew it we were at Roma Termini, the main train station in Rome. After we got out of the train, I guided us incorrectly out the station towards the south side of the train station. Oops. It was fucking hot and humid and we ended up walking all the way around the station’s west end to get to the north side where fortunately our hotel was nearby, the Best Western Hotel Royal Santina. Luckily we were able to check in at around 10:30 and we got in, showered and changed clothes and headed off to our first destination, the Colosseum. We ended up walking to Termini as I knew that we could get our Roma Passes there at a tabacchi shop. Sure enough, that was easy.

August 26, 2011 – Welcome to Roma!

Arrival in Rome and Walking to Colosseum

Morning somewhere up high
Happy or delirious Larry at the Rome luggage claim
Hotel Royal Santina presents us with options in the restroom
The shower that seems to be missing doors
Roma Termini, where the Leonardo Express dropped us off from the airport
Looking south on our way towards the Colosseum
Santa Maria Maggiore
More Rome streets
Closer to S. Maria Maggiore

We then schlepped down the streets of Rome from the hotel to the Colosseum, and it was fucking hot. Hot. I took us on a left a bit too early up some steps and to a bridge over the road we should have been on. So as we could see the Colosseum, we couldn’t get to it. Finally found some stairs down where we could cross the street to it.  As we were looking around the outside of the Colosseum for the entrance, one of those enterprising folks who sell tours caught us and asked if we wanted a tour. I was initially hesitant but the price didn’t suck.. So we got a guided tour of the Colosseum with not that great of a guide. Whatever it was still cool although it was ungodly hot.

Touring the Colosseum

Ah, there is the Colosseum
Larry & Colosseum
First of many self-portraits this trip in Rome
Me and the Colo
One more w/ Larry
At the base
Not the only ones there
Ah, Roma
Majestic heights
The entry line…ugh
Larry is having none of it
Our tour group and guide
Mosaics representing what went on here
Inside the Colosseum at Level 2
It was hot that day – so walking in the sun sucked
You can see the edge where they kept the “floor” on
Quite impressive
Umbrellas are smart, as are hats. See me later.
Looking to Level 1
The Temple of Venus and Rome
Larry wisely in the shade
Hatted Hobie in the sun
Another view
Larry too
And me
Some Assassin’s Creed memories here
The Colosseum is huge
That temple again
The Arch of Constantine
Another view in
Self shot in the Colosseum
Angle from the floor
So many potential assassin perches
It’s truly a mammoth arena
Where the Emperor’s box was
Again
More pics – can’t help myself
Where the folks can look into the catacombs
Looking hot, literally
Larry again
Me, on my pedestal, in the shade
View of the exterior while waiting for our Palatine tour to begin
Ah, Colosseum

After the 45 minute tour was over we had some time to walk around ourselves so we did and I took plenty of pictures. After 20 minutes of freedom we then met up for the second part which was a guided tour of the Forum and the Palatine Hill. We got a great female tour guide who was much more compelling. Very good tour of the Palatine Hill area and lots of great history stories, including the she-wolf/prostitute who raised the abandoned Remus and Romulus. The ruins of the palace are quite derelict but you can imagine what they must have looked like in their prime. Also got some invaluable advice during this tour applicable for the rest of the tour: you can freely drink the water coming out from the many fountains in Rome. Thank god as it was hot and water is not cheap in this world. So if you have a bottle you can constantly fill it up for free. Sweet.

The Forum and Palatine Hill

Entry to the Palatine area
Palatine Catacombs
Our wonderful tour guide for the Palatine, in the shade!
A view of one of the ancient Roman aquaducts
Just love the clear blue sky and the beautiful Italian trees and buildings
There’s the Colosseum
The Emperor’s private stadium in his palace – nice
Remnants of the palace – much MUCH bigger when it was all there
Larry feels a little emperor-like
Looking towards the sunken stadium
Beautiful open-air scenery and tree
Marble floor remnants
The Museum and also one of Mussolini’s “palaces”
St. Peters in the distance
Where the once-lush gardens and piazzas were
Old sewers
More ruins
I am a fan of the trees
View from the Palatine into the ancient Roman Forum
More
Me and a hat and the Forum
Va Bene
Looking towards the Campidoglio from the Palatine Hill
That’s the old Roman Senate building down there
Best fact ever – the Roman fountains all around the city provide safe drinking water. AWESOME.
More ruins
Looking to Titus’ Arch
The Titus Arch is of significance to the Jewish people – hence Larry
Arch of Titus
Closeup of the panel explaining how the Jews were conquered and brought back to Rome as slaves to build the Colosseum and other things
The ruined Basilica of Constantine
Enormous domed structure that collapsed in the same earthquake that ruined much of the Colosseum
Looking back towards the Palatine Hill where we just were taking pictures
The Basilica Aemilia in the foreground with the remnants of the Temple of Saturn (those few remaining Greek-like pillars) in the background
Our first Roman lunch place

After the tour we wandered through the Forum a bit until we veered north out of the Forum area and found a place to eat a block or so from there, not the best but we were hungry. We then walked back to the hotel, uphill and in the heat, and when we got back, we passed t promptly for our first siesta. Ugh. Many hours later, we got up for dinner, which we dressed a little up for. It was around the hotel area and it was great, plus there were very hot waiters. We ate a lot but it was good. After that we went back to our hotel and passed out.

First night in Rome

Our first Roman dinner – Larry was most pleased
Spaghetti Carbonara anyone?
Can’t remember what I had – but it was good
We had some Montepulciano rose – not too shabby for a warm muggy night
Where we ate – you can’t see the hot waiters though. HOT.
My artful (drunk) picture of Larry through the wineglasses
A view of our hotel while walking back

2011 Mediterranean Trip Pics Index

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Day 3 in Rome (2011 Trip)

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August 28, 2011 – Our Last Day in Roma!

So on our last day we were able to take a little bit of time before heading out so we did just that. After a breakfast at our hotel’s swanky breakfast area with the coffee machine that Larry loved, we went to the metro station at Termini to head towards where Castel sant Angelo is. When we got down to where the platform was, it was mobbed with people though, which was not altogether surprising but still frustrating as it was late Sunday morning. We were glad that we weren’t headed to the Vatican as the last Sunday of the month, it’s free. Of course, that means everybody goes there. So there we are at the subway and the mob of people at the two entryways isn’t moving at all. We also see that you really can’t get out as both escalators were heading down and the staircase was blocked off. There was a blocked off path to the other direction of the platform and it was probably an attempt to keep the traffic flow of pedestrians from interfering with each other. Well, people were now passing through that barrier to just get out of the mob. It was fortunate though as it turned out we were able to walk down the opposite platform to an entryway back to our platform where of course it was completely clear. At that moment the train showed up and were able to walk right in and be in a completely non crowded car. We figure it must have been a tour group or something clogging the entryway but frustrating nonetheless.

We took the subway to the same stop we went to yesterday for the Vatican, but this time, when we got off, along with seemingly all of Rome, instead of following the masses to the Vatican we veered east and away from the crowd. It was almost magical as the streets were pretty much deserted at that point. Larry and I both felt that that area seemed a lot like the Upper West or East Side. I also remembered that the hotel I stayed in ten years ago was in that neighborhood, but I can’t remember exactly where.

We walked down to the castle, the amazing circular fortress that used to be where the pope could go for defenses. It’s also a challenging level for Ezio in Assassin’s Creed! It was fun to get to see the inside for myself finally and the real thing looked a lot like the video game interpretation. Crazy. Great views of St Peters from the upper balconies too. You can see the pictures.

Castel sant Angelo

 

A nice empty and strangely UWS-like Rome street on the way to Castel San Angelo
Castel Sant Angelo in the distance
Looking into the moat, which is now a pleasant park.
Larry shows us the way
Underneath the Pope’s emergency path that connects St Peters to the Castel
View of St Peters
Again
Me, my hat, and St Pietro
Larry too
Assassins Creed 2 anyone?
Looking up from the base of the circular Castel
Larry’s nervous in the passageway
I intend to photoshop in Ezio-like assassin blades one day
A courtyard that served as Lucrezia Borgia’s garden once
The view from the first circular tier
The River Tiber beckons
Me & the view
Larry also
Ponte Sant Angelo?
There’s an (overpriced) bar area up here too
The reflection makes Larry’s glasses look like giant bifocals
Harry Potter and me
View towards St Peters
River view
Washed out
A view of the Pope’s path
More pretty hallways
Larry amidst the windows
St Peters through the window
What awaits you at the top of the Castel
Looking towards the Hall of Justice
Lots of Rome there, including the Pantheon and the Campidoglio
What the top deck looks like
St Peters from up top
Had to get the shot
Larry just wants out of the sun
Roma
It’s a cool centerpiece…for a rooftop
St Peters
View at the Castel bridge
I need to find my corresponding pic of me at this same place 10 years ago
Castel from down below
You too can eat amongst the river bushes
Bridge and Castel
Me, overheating

It was warm that day too, but probably not as bad as it was our first day. We walked from the castle along the river to where the Hall of Justice was, then turned inland to retrace some of our steps, in the daylight, of the nighttime walking tour we took yesterday. So we got back to the Piazza Navona in the day, which was a bit more uncomfortable in the heat of the day and not nearly as dramatic as it was during the night. We then headed to the Pantheon again, as when we got there the night before the inside was already closed. The Pantheon is always dramatic but going inside is insane. It’s beautiful and huge. I took some cool pictures of the dramatic beam of light coming from the top hole. After resting there on the pews for a spell, we then headed to find somewhere for lunch. After a few misfires when places we wanted to go were closed, we found a place where we sat outside and had a pizza each and some Peronis. Good times.

Day Walk to the Pantheon

River Tiber and St Peters
The Hall of Justice
Piazza Navona in the daytime
Return to the Pantheon
The dramatic entry light that I somehow managed to capture – did not expect it to look so epic
The roof is amazingly huge and the natural spotlight is sorta surreal
This might give you an inkling as to the colossal size of the Pantheon
Reminds of Raiders
Is the Well of Souls hidden there?
A better view tying the spotlight to the ground
This has been around for 2000 years. Flawlessly constructed by the Romans that long ago. Insane.
The entry doors are open for us today
Looking up under the portico
Beautiful, yet hot, Roman day in the Pantheon courtyard
What better way to escape the heat than drinking Peroni
Ah, the blase carefree existence
A street urchin (or a French tourist) greedily sucking up water from the fountain

Our satisfying lunch was followed by more walking as we headed past Giolottis again but we did not partake in the gelato this time. We thought at first we would walk to Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps again, but as we headed there I happened to look down the street and notice that huge white building with the immense staircase and giant statue in front of it. I can’t remember what it was but I did remember from last time that right behind it is the Campidoglia which is right at the western end of the ancient Roman ruins. We had taken off about halfway through the Forum our first day so this would let us see the rest of it and also give me a chance to see the ruins from the spot I saw them the first time ten years ago. After walking there and also climbing up the large staircase behind, it was really hot so we rested again. Saw some hot guys. But that is easy in Rome. So many hot guys. After some time though, we continued walking on, checking out the sights but not getting back in the Forum as you had to pay again and our Roma pass was used up. We got back to the street and walked back to the Colosseum and it’s Metro stop, which we took back to Termini.

Campidoglia and the Forum

Looking towards the imposing Vittoriano Monument which lies in front of the Campidoglio
Sometimes it is called “The Typewriter” by the Romans
It’s quite a massive structure, and effectively hides the whole Campidoglio behind it
Of course, in Rome, there are always Gladiators strolling about
As you round the corner of the Vittorio though, you discover…
Michelangelo’s very inclined steps up to the Campidoglio palazzo area
The perspective may not properly indicate it, but there is serious slope here
Hydrating for the journey up
You can see the side of the Vittorio as well as the front of the Santa Maria church
This is the Palazzo Senatorio – we sat in its courtyard for a while to cool down and relax
The view from our seat on the steps
If you go a few more steps behind the Campidoglio piazza though, you get to see the other angle on the Roman Forum.
I have a picture of me in this same pose from 10 years ago too
That’s the remnants of the Temple of Saturn behind me, and of course the Colosseum way back there
Larry too – the Sacred Way is the path leading away from him
To head back, we left the Forum area and walked along the modern sidewalk
There’s the Forum, safely tucked away behind its ticket booths
And there’s the Colosseum, just as impressive as always
Seriously, can’t get enough of how distinctive and cool it is
Down in the Roman Metro at the Colosseo stop
Larry, you can’t be tired of my picture taking yet….there’s like 12 more days of it!
Oooh…motion
Larry doesn’t want to go
No Pianos
Chianti, always perfect for Italian dinners and census takers

At the train station we figured out what tickets we needed to buy to get to the cruise port. Then we headed back to the hotel, where Larry took a siesta and I played a ton of Game Dev Story on my iPad while also looking at our pics. When Larry got up, neither of us really wanted to go back to Trastevere at that point although that’s what we had initially planned. Something closer sounded better so we found Babbos about a few blocks away and had a fantastic dinner nearby. Headed back to the room and got ready for the next phase of the journey, which was to head to the port for our cruise ship fun!

2011 Mediterranean Trip Pics Index