On then to Civitaveccia the port that gives access to Rome.
Another early rising, and the coach for a two hour drive to Rome.
We were booked to go into the Colosseum. You can probably imagine that we were a bit concerned after we read a newspaper report a couple of weeks ago about the severe rat infestation that was being reported, coupled with piles of rubbish that probably wouldn’t help the rat situation. What would we find when we got there.
To be honest, the main problem wasn’t rats, it was people. Way too many of them. Of rats not one sign. Of piles of rubbish? A very well swept place. What there is today of the Colosseum is most.y a shell of what the building was like nearly two thousand years ago at its height, and it would have been viewed as a technical marvel, even if slave powered!
Our tour guide was very good at giving a graphic description of the kinds of activities that went on there without being too graphic.
After the colosseum, we moved on to the Forum, I suppose the political centre of the city. We saw the spot where Julius Cesare’s body was cremated after his murder. All of the buildings in the forum were only the remains, with much dereliction, but there apparently is much evidence of where the various temples were. I have to say it was absolutely fascinating.
From the forum we had a walk of probably about a mile to Navona Square. The walk was an experience in its own right, involving as it did the crossing of a number of rather busy roads. The only thing I can say about this is that Roman drivers do not like pedestrian crossings, and they most certainly do not like pedestrians crossing. They seem to find the whole business rather annoying hence the remonstrations of our guide to make sure we hurried up as we crossed as the lights didn’t stay very long on the green person. Luckily, we all made it although I can very sadly report that two days after our venture into the city two tourists were run over and killed.
Navona is a large piazza containing three graceful fountains and lots of cafes. From here we had three hours of free time. What with the excitement and challenge of crossing roads, most of our group were feeling a bit jaded and looking forward to a break from the traffic, the crowds and the unrelenting sun.
When Carolina, our guide, offered to take us to a restaurant she recommended many of us grasped the opportunity. I have to say that I was quite impressed at the apparent ease with which the restaurant coped with an additional twenty people turning up unannounced during what appeared to be a rather busy lunchtime.
After a delicious meal of antipasto and mushroom pizza, we wandered around Navona square for another hour before partaking of some delicious gelato (banana, lemon & coconut for me, I can’t remember what Elayne had, but it probably involved chocolate & coffee), we then hung around waiting for the walk back to the pickup point and the return to the ship.
I think if I had one negative comment to make about the day was that it felt a bit rushed. I think that they could have added an hour to the guided part and reduced the three hours of free time but one hour. Apart from that, it was really enjoyable and educational.
Bills Posts 