Wow - now in Rome! The city made by Romulus because the Gods told him to (the story goes).
Since I last posted we've driven from Munich through Austria - went to Innsbruck for an hour or so and I bought some Schwarovski crystal jewellry - and down to Venice. Stayed in Venice for 2 nights again.

Monday we saw a glass-making display (& lace but that wasn't anything to write home about, so I won't). Lei and I spent the whole day walking around with 3 others - Jason, Johnny and Romey. We ate big slices of the most delicious pizza (€1.80), had gelati, ate canollis and got lost! We think we found true-Venice, or at least what could be described as 'Italian Venice' not 'tourist Venice'. I managed to track much of our journey through the alleys though so that was fun too.

Venice and the boats (left) us outside the canolli shop, with canollis in hand (right)














Gelati!!!! (Romy, me, Johnny, Jason. Lei taking photo.)














It was a bit rainy though which was fun because I got to see what flooding-Venice is like. Some pics of some of the Contiki people kitted up and the flooding in Piazza San Marco (complete with walkways in the background).

We then met up with the group again and went in a Gondola ride. I tried to suss out if our Gondolier if he was in the 2007 calendar; but I don't think he was. It was a good Gondola trip - particularly entertaining were Amy's attempts at Italian and her booming 'Sono molto felice' ('I'm very happy') to anyone and everyone going past.

I love Venice, I think it and Berlin have been my favourite cities so far.

Ended up having a bit of a big night back at the hotel - Lei and I shared a 1.5L bottle of Merlot that we'd bought in the Supermarket for €2.80. I reckon it was pretty strong :)

So then, the drive to Rome. Arrived last night and did a group walk to the Colosseum, Piazza Venezia (with the massive statue of king Vitorio Emanuele II), Trevi fountain (yes I through my 3 coins in: 1 for a quick return to Rome, 1 for luck, and 1 for true love) and the Pantheon. A group of 8 of us then had a great dinner - my pizza was hanging off my dinner plate, it was so huge.

Trevi fountain - loved it (left) and the 4 girls in front of the Colosseum (Kim, me, Lei, Amy) (right)

Today we did the Vatican including the Sistine Chapel. Now that was impressive!!! Such intricate artwork and very pleasing on the eye (would be more so without the infamous fig leaves that were painted on later??). We then did a quick dash out of there to see the Pope giving his address. That was pretty cool.


Pope out for an airing - he´s the one in white.

So now Lei and I are taking a break in an internet cafe before we go and explore the Roman Forum or the Baths of Diocletian... Haven't decided. Need some food first :) And I have accepted that I just can't see everything I want to in this short tour day. So I'll have to come back at some stage...

Will hopefully find a computer eventually where I can upload some more pics.
xxoo Claire

NX TALLY: III
AIXAM TALLY: I