Rome

I realise my Rome post is very long overdue and now since the exams are over, I have about 2 days to blog about Rome and the other stuff that happened over the last couple of weeks before I leave for Eastern Europe. Despite a really short 3-day visit to Rome, I think I've managed to visit most of the touristic sites and since there is no way one can see all of Rome in 3 days (or 2 weeks for that matter), I think a second trip to Rome is due within this life-time. This time round, I travelled with a completely different group of people and it was wonderful experience with Jeremy and Zhe Yuen from Einhoven plus Cheryl, Wei Yi, Haikal and the other Stolkholm people.



If you ever decide to visit the Colosseum and of course you have to if you're in Rome, take of guided tours which enables you to skip the long line of tourist outside the Colosseum, go straight in and most importantly, learn something on your visit. I mean, why travel if you don't want to learn about the history of the monuments you visit right? Travel tip 1101: Please read about the country you're going to visit before going. I think people who are on the 'been there, snap!, done that' mindsets are really a bunch of money-wasters. Anyway, back to Rome, the Colosseum tour also included a tour to the Roman Forum and the Palatino.


Inside the Colosseum


With Zhe Yuan at the Roman Forum. The ruins of the Palatino (the palace of the emperors) are on the hill in the backgroud.


Trevi Fountain.

This is essentially a wishing well - Make a wish and toss a coin over your right shoulder into the fountain, but don't even think of putting a finger to cool yourself down on a hot Italian summer day! An instaneaous whistle blow from the many security guards surrounding the fountain will follow. While we were there, there was this guy trying to fish out coins from the fountain and who totally ignored the whistles until he was surrounded by 3 policemen. Then what came next was a surprise to the hundreds of tourist surrounding. He took of his shirt and nose-dived straight into the fountain, went up falls and dived straight back in again. It was an awesome display of 'screw the authority'! Strangely, he came and walked away scott-free! Anna Nicole Smith payed a hefty fine doing that a couple of years ago.


Spanish Steps


Castel Sant Angelo with Chery and Wei Yi. This was the hide-out fortress for the Pope in times of invasion.


Glockenspiel-er along the Tevere River.

We spent our nights in the district of Trastevere which was the night spot of Rome. Not many clubs though but tonnes of bars along the small, winding alleys. And hordes of young party goers all night long. The parties and performances were not confined to this district but extended to the sides of the River. On one of the nights, around 20 xylaphone and glockenspiel players lined the River and created a really enchanting atmosphere.