Up with the sun due to the early and long night. Decided to go back to the Colosseum and Roman Forums and do them some justice today. But first we started with a wonderful breakfast from our Roman home. French toast and scrambled eggs would give us ample energy for a while. Off to the metro and two stops down the track saw us at the Big House. As it was first thing, the line for entry was fairly short. We did not have to wait long, got ourselves an audio guide and away we went. A group of little words on a paper cannot be used to describe what it was like. The photos wont do it justice either. Truly a sight you need to experience. It was amazing and what one would expect from arguably one of the most famous structures in the world. No more can or needs to be said.

After that, it was off across the piazza to the Palatine Hill. Basically the rich suburb of Rome where the Emperors lived. Lots of grand dwellings, especially considering their age. We walked throughout the gardens, across to get a view out over the Roman Forums. Zuz had another 6th sense moment. “I really could use a toilet” and no more than 2 steps later we saw one. But it was not marked. Just a cue of people, waiting. The bad thing about this loo was that it was unisex. That meant the men had to line up with the women. That was not all, it had a fountain a mere 6 feet from the line. Trouble! With our pressure relieved onward and down into the roman Forums. A little imagination was required to see what it would have been like. But again realising its age, would have been most spectacular in it day.

We headed back to the Santa Maria in Aracoeli church next to the capital hill via the back streets and through the Jewish area. Back up that long flight of stairs and into the church, which had a statue of the baby Jesus. Now fair dinkum people, if a baby had that much gold and bling on them in their cot, then they aint going to be breathing and would have probably been crushed to death. After that we walked up over and through the typewriter and down the steps at the front. Then it was time for tour guide Neil to take hold. Walked down past the crypts (cant see everything and have to save something for next time) and bumped into the cat sanctuary, Area sacra di Largo Argentina. Yet another set of ruins where the cats are the caretakers. Funnily enough, we did not see to many pigeons here?

We continued on to find ourselves at Campo de fiori, and then up through a bit more of the roman maze and hit the Piazza Navona. Unfortunately they were fixing the big fountain in the middle. But other than more pesky little Indians selling crap and blowing bubbles, it was a lovely area. Plenty of pubs and eateries could see you spending many a meal here. Our next waypoint was to be the Trevi fountain. But as we turned one of the corners SMACK! We were standing in front on the impressive Pantheon. Wow! Of course I planned it that way. Inside we went and yet again I was impressed. Possibly the highlight of the day, believe it or not. The hole in the roof was incredible. Even Raffael was buried here. After hearing that even engineers are not sure why the roof is still standing it was exit stage left.

Now it was up a few more streets to the trevi fountain. This spot was extremely crowded, but a definite treat for the eye. A very pretty fountain indeed. As you do, we threw our coins in. Zuzi bought some roasted chestnuts, still piping hot and incredibly delicious before we headed off to the Spanish steps. Yet again, through a maze of streets and after passing some of Rome’s finest shops, Prada, Gucci, Dior etc, etc we sat on the Spanish steps for a rest. The azaleas were out and it all looked very pretty, but yet again very busy and full of those pesky Indians trying to flog postcards, roses and anything they could.

It was now time for dinner so we walked a few more streets until we hit this funky looking restaurant. Brochette, 2 pizzas and 2 half litre’s of sangria later had us very pleased with our decision and rather happy from the sangria. On to the nearest metro station and back to the beehive. Zuz was asleep by the time I got back from the shower.