Day 8 - Goodbye Malta - Hello Rome

Friday morning came early with a 4:30 am wake-up call.   The airport shuttle was right on time, and we traversed the island in the dark.  The ride was bittersweet in that we could not view this lovely island one more time, but were excited to begin part two of our trip.  The traffic was very light and check in with Air Malta was a snap. 

 

Time flew by before our boarding and not long after sunrise we were airborne for Rome.  As normal for many of our trips, the sun came out as we were leaving and the forecast was for warmer temperatures.  The final image from the plane of this small island in the middle of the Mediterranean will leave a lasting snapshot in our memories.  Malta is a very special place and we got to share it together.

 

Next stop, the ancient city of Rome!  We were not surprised that the forecast was calling for cloudy skies and rain, but hoped for better.  We stayed in a hotel outside the city using the last of Tom’s Marriott points.  The Marriott Park was beautiful and we got upgraded to a suite.  Sweet!  The room had a humongous bed, a big tub, with a walk in closet.  Best of all, there was a large balcony overlooking the countryside of Rome to the left and the headquarters for Toyota in Italy on our right.  J

 

What the hotel did have, which was a pleasant surprise, was a shuttle service downtown.   We dropped our bags and caught the 12:00 shuttle.

 

Arriving Piazza del Tribunal, a short 15 minute walk to the Vatican, we chuckled that we had done no planning for our day in Rome.  How do you see a place like Rome in six hours? One really cannot, but we were determined to at least see as much as we could in 6 hours.   The shuttle allowed us to get off on a good start.

 

As we approached the Vatican we walked down a fenced route that lead directly to St Peters.   There were no shoving tourists, no selfie stick vendors hassling you, or no one trying to sell you the best tour in Rome.  The closer we got to the Vatican, the more concerned we became.  Maybe we are not supposed to be in this fenced path?  Diverting over to the side, we queried a young girl selling tickets of some sort.  Her reply was priceless, “Really?  Where are you…? Rome!  What year is it it…The Jubilee!  You are on the Pilgrimage route to the Holy Door!”   I was quick to ask, how long is the line?  You are in the line – there nobody in line!  So we continued slowly, now headed to a door that neither of us ever imagined would have a chance to enter.

 

We entered the Basilica, and suffice it to say the beauty is overwhelming.   Although we did not have the time to visit the Sistine Chapel, which did require a ticket, the passing through the Holy Door and being able to walk around the Church was very fulfilling artistically and spiritually.  One is allowed to take photos inside in certain areas of the church, and of course I did, but any photo I took could not capture the scale or grandeur of this place of worship.

 

Exiting the Vatican our stomachs were growling from lack of temporal nourishment.   The continental breakfast we had 7 hours earlier in the airport in Malta was just a memory.   Finding a small street, which was 7 or 8 blocks out of the mass of humanity around St Peter’s, we sat down for an alfresco lunch just as rain drops began to fall.  Sitting close under the umbrella, we enjoyed Parma Ham with fresh melon, which was followed with a tasty pasta lunch.  Revitalized with nourishment we were ready to continue.  Our next stop was the Spanish Steps and so off we went in a new direction.

There is so much to take in just walking down the streets of Rome.  Unfortunately you will have to do it with 10,000 other people in close proximity everywhere you go.  The price of visiting Rome, but well worth the annoyance.  

Following our map, we found the steps made famous in the movie Roman Holiday. (Roman Holiday Movie Clip) Ok, maybe they were famous before then, but do not judge it is where I learned about them.   Unfortunately, they were under construction and blocked off so I could not play Cary Grant and sweep my Audrey Hepburn off her feet and off to a sidewalk café (which honestly Tom would have preferred).   Instead we took a short break and just surveyed all around us.  We are in Rome!

The next circled destination on our map was Trevi Fountain, but a pit stop was needed.   I only mention this to future travelers – There are no public toilet facilities in Rome.  In my search for a restroom, I discovered why they have McDs in Italy.  Enough said on that topic.

Feeling much better, our expedition continued towards the fountain.   As we approached a roar like no other could be heard.  It seemed if every tourist bus, hop on hop off, and tour group had arrived at the same time.  Guides waving flags, parents marshalling kids, and EVERYBODY wanted a selfie!   Why not – so we joined the masses and went for a selfie. 

 

It was in that moment I learned why Rome has so many vendors selling those damn selfie sticks.   I decided to join into the fray and muscle my way to the fountain.  Forget about the selfie, I like this one better.

 

What next you ask?  Why of course it would be the Colosseo (Coliseum)!  Putting one foot forward we proceeded to our goal.   Albeit, the pace was starting to fall off.   It is quite a haul from the fountain to the Coliseum, but it was not raining and we were possessed to see it.   There was lots to look at in the area that surrounds the ancient sporting venue (I guess that is a warped way of looking at it).  The important thing was we made it!  Snapped a few pictures in celebration. 

 

There was a lot of fencing which was obstructing my picture taking.   Then it all became clear, Sunday is the Rome marathon. The start/finish was right in front of the Colosseo.   I cannot imagine what downtown will be like with so many of the city’s roads being shutdown, as athletes run through the historical district.   My bet is all participants get a medal, a T-Shirt and a Selfie Stick!

 

Our rendezvous time with the shuttle bus was approaching.  We had to be back at Piazza del Tribunal by 7 to be picked up.  Choosing the path less traveled, we followed the river back to the piazza.  It was a much longer walk, but there were no crowds to fight.  At the halfway point we stopped and enjoyed a wonderful gelato. 

Now that is what Rome is about.  Sooooooooooo Gooooooood!

We made it back to where our city adventure had begun.  The technology fad, a fit bit, on Janet’s arm reported over 20,000 steps of city walking (9.9 miles) on uneven roads, crowded by other people doing the same thing, and with less than ideal weather conditions, but in the words of Dora the Explorer – We Did It!

 

 Did I tell you that our room had a big deep tub?   Well it does! 

I will post a map later when I can find a sharpie and trace the path.