ROME

DAY 2

Loooooooong flight from Singapore to Rome, and a very full plane. Went a lot further North than usual before heading West towards Italy in order to avoid conflict in the Gulf region.

Unable to sleep, so watched Maid in Manhattan, Analyze This, and Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets (twice) on the small seat-back screens.

Could have done with 3 meals instead of the 2 offered. Dinner was Penne shortly after take-off, and we had Frittata for breakfast (both very nice), but just water in-between.

On sunrise, we could see fresh snowfalls as we flew over the mountains of Greece:

Arrived in Rome at 7.10am, caught train to Rome Termini, where Kate braved ordering 4 croissants for a snack from a Cafe there.

Walked to Hostel Alessandro, arrived there around 9am:

Our Room wasn't ready, so left our bags and went for a walk.

Stumbled across a church designed by Michelangelo near the Termini; it had brass strips in the marble floor calibrated to mark the movement of the sun:

Then walked down to the Spanish Steps:

and then the Trevi Fountain:

We sat there and ate a slab of Pizza from the local vendors with a couple of Breezers.

It was a fair walk back to the Hostel. Got our room about 1pm, which had been recently renovated. Lay down for a nap... woke up and it was dark - it was 9pm!

Went down to the Snack Bar for some dinner; Jess and Jake had Lasagna, Kate an Omelette, and Mike had Veal Cutlet with Mushrooms, Green Salad and Crusty Italian Bread.

Then went back to the room to attempt more sleep.