The next day we went straight for one of the main attractions - the Vatican. The line wasn't too bad for St. Peter's basilica so we went there first. It was huge. Not much stained glass but impressive ceilings and michaelangelos only signed work (a sculpture). Also a couple of embalmed popes which was slightly scary. We got a pizza for lunch and then made our way to the Vatican queue. It was about an hour which wasn't too bad. It wasn't raining and the sun wasn't blazing hot so I suppose that was ideal. Once inside I was quite surprised. I didn't really expect the museums to be laid out as they were. Room after elaborate room unfortunately packed with people (shoulder to shoulder in many areas) shuffling along towards the Sistine chapel. You kind of just follow a one way route so the anxiety was super high. There is no turning around or stopping for a break as its packed. It's one way or... Well, that's it. Had a panic attack but got though it and got into the chapel. That too was not as I expected. A lot smaller and no stained glass, only paintings, but they are magnificent. It was shoulder to shoulder in there as well and you're not allowed to stop. Guards kept yelling "shhh" and when that didn't work clapping loudly which definitely ruined it. The Vatican gardens were nice but you can't see much without buying a tour which we didn't. After the Vatican we walked towards castle st Angelo but it was near close so we just got some dinner and went back to our hostel.
The next day we decided to go to Villa Borghese, an old estate which is now a park with museums in it. The weather was good and it was very crowded being a Sunday. We first hit up a small art gallery that had a Warhol in it (my highlight) and then decided to go to the zoo. After a long and confusing walk we found the zoo, and it's 12€ price tag (each!) and decided against it. There was however a butterfly house temporary exhibit on that we decided we would return to later as it did late nights. After a panini from a cart in the park (remember this panini...) we went to the main museum of the park, the villa Borghese museum, only to discover tickets were sold out for the next 4 days unless you'd pre bought one! Daniel was disappointed as he'd missed out last time and really wanted to go. I mentioned that technically we had pre-bought tickets as we had a museum pass. We went inside to see how this would fly and it unfortunately the lady said it didn't work like that BUT she had just had two tickets returned from a group that we could buy for full price if we wanted, so we did and we got in!! The museum had lots of elaborate rooms with classical paintings and sculptures on the bottom story and renaissance paintings and sculptures on the second.
After the villa Borghese we headed back to castle st Angelo which we'd missed the previous day. It's a papal castle that was built out of a masoleum to emperor Hadrian from 132AD. It was gradually extended by each pope and even includes a sneaky pope tunnel that meant they could get from the Vatican to the safety of the castle without being seen. It's 6 stories in total and was very confusing to navigate even with an audio guide! The view from the roof terrace is 360' though and was awesome.
In the late evening following dinner we went back to the zoo to see the butterfly exhibition. As we were admiring a pure white preying mantis sitting on a matching white orchid a staff member casually came over with a huge stick insect for us to hold. Eeeek! I "patted" it and Daniel decided he'd pass, the man just handed it to him anyway though and he did very well. I certainly didn't want it crawling up my arm like that! The butterflies were beautiful and we left the exhibit at about 9pm and made our way back to the hostel.
That night, I awoke at about midnight and was very badly sick. I knew it pretty much straight away - I had food poisoning for the first time ever. I do not want it again! Damn that cart panini!!! I was up most of the night and so the following day stayed in bed to sleep. I couldn't eat or drink. Daniel stayed at the hostel with me all day :) At around 6pm I started on crackers and was keeping down sips of water. Thank goodness!
The next day Daniel decided he'd visit the modern art museum while I took the morning in bed to rest up a bit more. Once he got back we decided we would just squeeze in the coliseum as I wasn't feeling 100%, still nauseous and only eating crackers and plain croissants. On our walk there I felt a bit sick so we sat down for a break. Upon standing up Daniel pulled a muscle in his back! Rome really hates us. We could see the coliseum so just decided to walk up to it, take a photo and go back to the hostel. Daniel didn't think he could do all the steps and I wasn't feeling well. Will have to be next time.
Today we woke up, ready to catch the train to Florence! I was feeling almost 100% and Daniels back was much better but he'd caught the food poisoning! (Told you Rome hated us!). The poor lad endured a bumpy taxi ride and 1.5hr train to Florence. Once here we rested up all day and he seems better now. Thankfully he didn't have it as badly as me and even had a proper dinner.
Now it's 10pm and we have tomorrow and the following day in Florence. We were originally going to spend one of the three days taking a day trip to Pisa but we've flagged that as we lost today.
Hopefully there is no more illness!!
Cee.
Today's pic: coffee face.
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