The Vatican City

The Catholic Church sure have had some cash behind them, because when you go to the Vatican City you realise that you had no idea what opulence looked like. Walking through the Vatican museum was like walking through an endless maze of artistry from floor to ceiling. Intricate paintings decorated the ceilings with such detail.

It was a huge build up walking through these chambers like a herd, shoulder to shoulder as we shuffle, stopping to take the suppressed flash shot, all heading toward the one chapel everyone is really here to see...





...and it did not disappoint! The frescos that decorate the interior of the Sistine Chapel is beautiful, and that Michelangelo ceiling depicting the last judgement is breathtaking. Strictly no photography allowed.



Kien's favourite section of the museum were the Egyptian artifacts and the mummies on display. He enjoyed listening to the audio guide explaining the collection.

We found a little seat after we left the Sistine Chapel and asked Kien to give us his best King look.



We went outside and sat in the shade for a rest from the crowds.









Next stop - St Peters cathedral. OMG its enormous. The outside oval can house a ridiculous amount of people, and the seats are out ready for the weekly meeting with the Pope.





Again more queues to get inside, but wow was it worth it.



I just could not imagine the Statue of Liberty fitting into this dome!







Tuesday night was also our last in Rome. We walked around the neighbourhood and soaked up the atmosphere.

Down by the river

We walked over the bridge to the only island on the Tiber river that runs through Rome.

We must have gotten here early enough to beat the crowds, because as we circumvented the island there were hardly any other tourists.







It still amazes me as I walk around anywhere in this town just how old structures are.









We walked back over the bridge and down some alleyway trying to dodge the crowds.







We found the first spot we liked the look of for a spot of lunch.





Delizioso.

On the fringe

It seems like we are replicating our life back home while being here in Rome. I would love to live here and would quite easily swap for this lifestyle. We've got an apartment right on the fringe of the city, far enough away from the crowds that frequent the major tourist attractions, but close enough that we can walk there or take public transportation easily. The Aurelian walls and aqueduct of ancient Rome is across the road from the apartment. From the roof we get a glorious view across the city. We've watched a couple of sunsets and sunrises from here whilst we've been in Rome.

There's a local fruit shop where we go to get berries for Kien, and a mini supermarket a couple of blocks away.



We've gotten ice cream for this cool gelato store, and sat outside on the street sipping beers and watching the world go by.




We went to a cool restaurant a couple of nights ago. Jef read some great reviews on Yelp about this place, so we had to try it.







Sunrises and sunsets over this fabulous city.