Last day

Up at 5 am, 7 hours before our flight to fight jet lag, and made my highly caffeinated coffee. After drinking, it was discovered that it was a caffeine-free part of the day, but I went ahead and had another one hour later as I had already prepared the coffee maker. 

We left on our 15 minute walk, took a wrong turn (just one last time) got to the bus half an hour early and got the early bus. Check in was a breeze, as was immigration. The shops and food at Rome airport suck, but we finally did get arancini (after getting in trouble for incorrect lining up), and I finished it off with my favourite European drink.

A special shout out to European flip top caps on drink bottles - I'm converted.

So long and thanks for all the thigh eating fish.

My religious awakening

If you don't want to read what is in Italics, I fully understand. Toilet habits will be mentioned.

Regularity on holidays is a good thing, especially in the 7:30 am timeslot before the eternal search for a toilet can happen, especially here in the eternal city. We planned on leaving at 8 am. As time grew near, I thought, even though nothing seemed imminent, that I should try. Turns out, it was at the door, but just hadn't knocked.

With the threat of hot weather again, it was decided that our first Roman bus was the number 90. Of course as we were walking, the bus drove past. So we decided on a 2 bus plan from the next stop up the road, then the numerous 90 turned up at the previous stop. We ran back and luckily got on board ... and the driver got off to go to the toilet. But we did make it to our destination bus stop so all was good.

The thing is, with walking around Rome, that in order to cross a road, you have to do it via 3 other crossings. But we found our way up the 79 stairs to the road that leads to the Vatican, turned right and got further away. This generally takes four minutes to process but we needed the steps ... again.

Now heading in the right direction, we joined the 50 or so metre queue with the 100s of other 9 am bookings. At least it's only just gone over 30 degrees.

Through security without a hitch, it was onwards to find the Sistine Chapel to check on Micky A's masterpiece. To get there, you go through many corridors and chapels, all filled with artwork. Some brilliant but many just with people with swords killing other people. It's a little confusing.

Editor's note: I was very impressed with the Trompe L'œile paintings everywhere (optical illusions created by painting), such as painted statues and curtains.

Anyway, we made it to our much anticipated venue and it was good without being sensational (sorry, no photos allowed). I know that my art opinion does not sway a lot of people and I fully understand the difficulty and vastness of painting such a large ceiling, but in my opinion, the walls of the chapel,  done by others, were better. 

And standing and looking at a ceiling for some time is difficult and a bit dizzy inducing. 

We discussed some of the scenes and I couldn't understand why a guy wearing a nappy was having his right thigh eaten by a fish.Turns out it's Jonah. It wasn't a whale that swallowed him, but a great fish. Artistic licence, I guess.

Annette pointed out The Creation of Adam, which I had seen, and Adam and Eve in the garden. That is when my Religious Epiphany hit.

In the MASH episode where Hawkeye orders ribs from Adam's Ribs in Chicago, I had just assumed that the owner was Adam and he made, you know, pork and beef spare ribs.

How did I not see that it was a double meaning based on the creation of Eve with one of Adam's ribs? Is this some sort of miracle or am I just really stupid? 

OK, so the Vatican was done. We did make a purchase in one of the many gift shops for one lucky person and did note that the book on the last Pope had been reduced to 1 Euro.

It was now lunchtime and the pilgrimage would continue.

Back in 1972, my sister Lynne (I do apologise for putting you in the blog without prior consent) took me to see Jon English and Trevor White star in Jesus Christ Superstar. After the performance, I was taken to a newly opened restaurant by the name of McDonalds and had my first ever cheeseburger. I can still remember that taste today, mainly because it's exactly the same. What better way to celebrate your religious epiphany than by recreating that from 1972? It's rhetorical because Maccas was just on the way and easy, by the grace of a higher power. 

When did Big Macs get so small? Annette, not wanting to enter into the beauty of this most powerful moment, ruined it all by ordering salad with her burger. And to show the power of Vatican Maccas, you could upgrade your Coke to a beer for 30 cents. Miracle after miracle for some.

After some effort, we finally got our ice cream sundaes that had been pre paid for pickup later, and left the golden arches to 37 degree heat. Good thing I'm wearing a black shirt, black shoes and courtesy of a problem the church has with knees, long black pants.

Next stop was St Peter's Basilica which is also a pretty amazing place. I struggled with the downloaded audio and map, but eventually I saw it all.

Our booking time to walk up to the dome was 4:30 pm. By the time we had done the Basilica, it was nowhere near that time so we sat on some rock or marble in the shade, filled ourselves with ancient water fountain water and waited.

We eventually went to the lift, and after first hesitating, the ticketing guy was nice and let us through early.

One lift and 390 steps later, we had done the view over the Basilica and the rooftop. I'm sure our climbing strength has increased a lot in 6 weeks. Although Garmin has told me I'm retraining and is demanding running exercise.

A lift and 390 steps down

and it was a 24 minute walk back home, plus 4 minutes in the wrong direction and 4 minutes back. It was a hot 37 degree walk back, we had a quick rest and went looking for somewhere to eat. 

I suggested the trattoria with "to the right, to the right and to the left direction" that we had seen on day one in Rome. Annette did not believe my directional ability. It was there. But we ate at Old Bear. I went with goulash and mashed potato. Annette chose the special, price unseen, of fettuccine with lobster. My butt cheeks clenched in fear, just like when driving in France.

She liked it. It was a lot. I was still reeling from drinking a litre of sparkling water and a Fanta, but all was good.

A quick walk home, last minute packing and to sleep, exhausted from way too many steps over a 6 week period.

Pictures of little cars, just because

9:09pm and I can't go to sleep yet

If you are considering coming to Rome, I would highly recommend the place we are staying at (see the editor/ booking agent). I don't think it's cheap (welcome to Europe) but it is an easy walk to everywhere, cost E15.6 from the station to get here, is a 15 min walk to the airport shuttle and anywhere that can fit a laundry and kitchen into a space of a large pantry is worth staying in. The double bed is a bit small so utilise the extra comfy lounge and all is good. The owner even left us 3 beers in the fridge. We don't like beer but I drank one as it's the right thing to do. Will I pack the other 2? Excellent question. Restaurants, cafes, takeaway shops all around so do yourself a favour. 

My only question is the bidet. I've never used one, don't know how and am worried about doing a search on Google in case my algorithm turns to poo. I am wondering why it has a plug. Is there a use for used poo water? I have one day to decide.

"It's tough being an editor to a brilliant mind" Mark Krause 9:24 pm June 2 2025

Hydration is the key

It's 5:30 pm in the afternoon. We are about to go to the Spanish steps on our 3rd trip out into the heat. It is currently 36 degrees and pretty much has been since we left this morning a bit after 8.

The watch is currently on 20,807 steps.

All of our training over the last 5 weeks has led to this. One last effort for the day and if the editor doesn't find gelato, there will be problems.

All is good in the world.

Let's go back to the beginning. We left at 8:10, walked for 4 minutes, realised we didn't have our passports so turned around, realised that we did have our passports and turned around, and off we went to the Colosseum. 

In my mind it would be an oval shaped old wall that was falling down. I was a bit wrong.

It was probably the best thing I have seen on holidays. It's hard to describe so I may just go the picture route. We got to do 2 levels. The underground option was booked out. Here is what we saw.

I could talk about the wooden platform with trapdoors and lifts and pulley systems that would miraculously make gladiators and animals appear from the depths below, but I'm not sure that you are interested. 

All the info said it would take 75 minutes to see it all and it was spot on.

Did I mention the heat? The great thing about Rome is the number of water fountains just spewing out cold water from what I overheard from a tour guide as "the ancient system set up centuries ago". Let's go with that. Without them, there would be a lot of people suffering heat stress. There were tents set up around for such possibilities.

There are lots of tourists. Basically, drink, refill, repeat all day. Our first stop once outside was a more traditional push button water fountain. Here is our water line and the ancient form.

From there it was to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum and a lot of water stops worth of ruins. 

Note: Somewhere near the top, there are 2 small museums. The air conditioning is heavenly. 

Having passed on the toilets at the entry, we did eventually find some near the exit, which was as hard to find as the time we got stuck in Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, as they hide all the exit signs (pre blog days I think).

This area was massive. Steady climbs, plenty of heat, and enough seats in the shade to rest.

Don't get the impression that we needed toilets despite constant water consumption. We were sweating it out as fast as we drank it.

Today we started our program to defeat jet lag. It involves caffeine every 2 hours from 7 am until 1 pm. I haven't been drinking much coffee lately so the morning home made Italian hit gave me the shakes.

From there it was Revvies caffeine strips washed down with water. There were dizzy moments during the morning through caffeine and lack of food. We found a place on the way home that was really nice.

Annette struggled with questions like "do you want that with panini or foccacia?" I chose the latter for her as words were either not going into her head or out. We will blame the heat. It was excellent and will receive a 5 star rating later tonight.

We made it home, put on a load of washing, as it was determined that Annette's clothes also smell of old washing water from Milan, watched YouTube and then headed out again.

This time we crossed the river in an attempt to find out how to get to the airport shuttle in 2 days. It was a worthwhile exercise as Google's way was full of road and footpath closures, making hauling bags on wheels on our last day near impossible. A better route was found. 

A new figurine/ bobble head of Franceso Totti (immortal soccer player in these parts) was purchased as my birthday present and will soon stand on the toilet window sill with other famous figures. 

There was a castle. Ho hum. It was still 24 minutes to the Spanish steps. We went home for a rest instead.

Then to the steps. One turn, then straight for a kilometre. We got there, either walked on 5 or 1 step,

took some photos, found gelato, which was upgraded at the suggestion of the staff member who is coming to Australia with his friends to work on farms (either true or a brilliant ruse to get people to upgrade to a larger triple gelato of panacotta caramello, something custardy and passionfruit). I just went the caramel crunch gelato shake, grande size, because nothing shows courage like ice cream, milk and cream in 35 degree heat at the end of a long hot day.

We got a bottle of the cheapest Limonate and some crumbed chicken on the way home, as well as a new deodorant as Annette's bottle could not quite make six weeks. I'm hoping I have 4 more sprays in mine. I need the space and weight that the bottle will take up. That and disposing my toothbrush will make the difference.

Dinner was called (and I am writing this in the opposite direction to the camera (Mark's attempt at a Jamie Oliver joke that no one will understand)) 'all the food we have leftover in the fridge, and 3 chicken cutlets' with a 'limonate and melted ice block because the freezer section of the fridge doesn't have a door' for two. 

I will be eating Annette's leftovers at 5 am tomorrow when the antidote jet lag app says I have to wake up. Does it not know that I retired and don't care about jet lag? Good night. I have to be asleep by 10.

And quickly, should you care, Rufus Wainwright will be performing in Rome soon. Ask me if you want more information.

And we are just shy of 25,000 steps for the day. I better shave. I'm starting to look like Rufus Wainwright (sorry, but I didn't take a photo of the poster)