Roma

Well it's been a very interesting time in Roma. We caught the fast train from Naples (speed up to 300k) arrived at our hotel to be told that our room which had a shared bathroom was not available as something was broken so they gave us a room with ensuite but only for 2 days then they would drive us by taxi to another hotel which also had ensuite. This seemed Iike a good deal so we agreed. The room was quite nice with big bathroom but the second hotel was more like a hostel. Our room had double bed and three singles and the shower was a cubicle without any curtain or screen and it smelt like sewerage. Cliff reassured me that it was only a plumbing problem with no s-bend but it wasn't nice. The room with the toilet didn't smell, go figger. 

Anyway we had fun walking around the city looking at millions of statues, churches and wonderful archeological sights, all for free. We decided to take the train up to Castel Gandolfo which is up in the hills in Rome and where the summer palace for the Pope is located. We purchased our tickets on line and headed for the train only to find that it was stopping two stops. We decided to try again later and this time we found someone who could speak English and found out they were doing track work so we had to change for bus to for the rest of the trip. Castel Gandolfo is a beautiful town and as we walked through the arch leading to the piazza we saw a bride and groom having their photos taken. There is a lake as well and the sight from the town is beautiful. 

After a fantastic lunch at a small Trattoria and a bottle of local wine under our belt we walked down to the area where we were dropped off. Locating the right place to wait for the bus was fun as two groups were formed in two different places. Much discussion went on trying to guess who would be right and as it turned out we were wrong and had to run up the hill to get on the bus.  At the station we had to use the machine and a women helped us so we purchased her ticket as well. We had to sit together as only one ticket was issued for 3 people. Turned out she was a tour guide originally  from Columbia  and we spent a pleasant time talking about travel and what to watch out for in Rome. 

We had a frustrating day when we tried to find the bus terminal for the pre booked trip to the airport and when we tried to post some items back to Australia. I think I was ready to loose my top after being directed for the post office to a tobacco shop to buy a padded envelope. We tried about 5 shops and gave up as none of them had what we needed. We also gave up on the bus terminal as Via Marsala 5 was all closed up with scaffolding surrounding the building.

We tried again the next day and found a very helpful man in the post office who not only sold us a small box but filled in most of the paperwork, we then worked out the bus terminal and we both relaxed knowing that things in Rome don't ever seem to work out as you think they will.

Bags are packed and the alarm is set for 5.30am to catch the 7am bus to airport for Greece Rhodes. 

Talked to Michelle at the airport for Mothers Day so that was really nice. I will get my present when I return. 

Michelle see number 4 picture below of me throwing a coin into an urge fountain as promised. Lol