Roma!

I guess after watching 'Eat, Pray, Love', it inspired me to finish up the post production for Rome shots.

Rome is a fusion of the past and the future.  All mashed up together and the present is trying to catch its breath.  The romans drive like the romans drive - fast and crazy!  If you aren't careful, it would be DEATH BY SCOOTER!  If you plan to take the Metro line, please really take care of your stuff.  Pickpockets everywhere, they will touch you without you knowing it.

St. Peter's Square, Vatican City

We tried to cover as much as Rome as possible in 1.5 days.  Started off with Vatican.  Vatican is the smallest country in the world!  Believe that it is a country and not just another avenue in a city.  The city is surrounded by walls - Vatican Walls.  If you plan to visit the Vatican Museum, I suggest you can yourself in a tour and not going solo.  The reason is because there would be a lot of people - it's like Apple release a new iPhone everyday!  Once you get pass the security scanners, you got to line up for tickets (15 Euro).  If you are in a group, the guide will do it for you.  Oh yeah before I forget, ladies please use the ladies room before entering the museum.

Vatican Museum Entrance

St. Peter's Dome

Walnut Courtyard Globe

The guide will take you to into an area where you would see the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.  Later on, leading to the courtyard - Walnut Courtyard.

Walnut Courtyard, Vatican City

After soaking in the sun, you would be seeing loads of statues.  You would noticed that some statues became 'ahem'-less or 'ahem' got covered with a leaf.  I heard someone said this - "If it was too big, it would be chopped off"  I guess you would get the idea.  The funniest thing was that Hercules was known to be the strongest man in myth, but he got covered by a leaf!  Haha!  The art here is breathtaking and fantastic.  A pity I couldn't show you a picture of the Sistine Chapel - No Photo/Video Taking allowed.


After all the art, it would be St. Peter's Basilica.  It is really astonishing!  Look at the pictures.  I don't think I can put words to describe it - and I bet you wouldn't want to read it :P

Pieta

View of St. Peter's Basilica

We later had the sights and sounds of Rome.  Try the pizza! It's to die for!  Don't forget the Gelato too.  The Colosseum was the Colosseum, plus a lot of ancient Roman ruins around it. There are fountains everywhere!  The best I saw was the Trevi Fountain!

Trevi Fountain - Night

Trevi Fountain

I guess that as much as my mind can regurgitate now.  Oh, please do try the fresh fruits there!


For more photos, please visit my facebook albums - Link 1 and Link 2

Venice, Italy!

Venice, the first destination after a long flight from KLIA and a transfer from Dubai International.  Nothing much can be said about Dubai International since we only could wander around the area.  we thought the warmth of the morning over in Malaysia was hot, but in Dubai, the heat was already to stay during dawn!


Anyway, we reached Venice around noontime.  It was nice and breezy :) maybe it was due to the autumn season.  The town is not as hectic as ours, it reminded of our small towns in the outskirts.  Traffic was on a down low.  Noticed the Ferraris and Porches zoomin' around and the Mercedes Taxis doing their rounds.

Checked in the Holiday Inn.  The lifts were shockingly thin!  How can those 'Mat Salleh' fit?!?!  Ok, fine.  I guess the lift can be adaptable but I still could fathom the idea of drinking water from the tap.  So, we had to buy bottles of water from the nearest mart.  Imagine €2 for a bottle of medium size water!  Can't blame me for taking out the conversion calculator.

We went to Venice Island on the next morning.  It was early.  Not many people YET.  At least we enjoyed St. Mark's Square before the crowds came in.  The gondolas were just about to start another day of business.  There were a lot of restorations happening and all are sponsored by the big fashion names.


Went into St. Mark's Catheral, it was....it was.... you be the judge of it from the photo.  Sadly, if you want to enter, you gotta tell them you are attending Mass or else sorry no entry.


We walking through the narrow alleys with all the small tiny shops along it.  Entered the Murano Glass Showroom.  Their man showed us a quick demo on vase and figurine making.  It was very pretty until he smashed it.  Buggers!  We all were led into the showroom like sheep to the slaughter.  The sales guy was a pro! He showed us all the pretty stuff, it was glass mind you.  With us so focus not breaking anything, he drop the glass.  I think some of the ladies nearly wet themselves.  It was his idea to tell us the glass was not so easily breakable.  But don't try it on the floor though.  For you all who plan to get themselves a Murano, do get it original.  The fake ones are everywhere, do ensure there's a cert there :)

Saw a shop selling authentic Venetian Masks.  It was make of paper mache, hence its a big no no to bring it back.  It would be a squashed face when I'm back home.  It was all handcrafted and damn it was beautiful!

Anyway, during that day itself they were having a Regata.  It's some sort of boat race along the canal.  Due to this, there was a huge load of people there.


My fingers are getting numb and its hard to remember everything.  Things you all need to try when you are there.

1. Eat the Gelato! (Italian Ice Cream)
2. Eat their pizza and pasta!
3. Drink their wine!
4. Have a ride on the Gondola.  (I regret not going on it - please remember to bargain)
5. Enter the churches there, even if you are not christian.


For more photos, please visit my facebook albums - Link 1 and Link 2