Here Comes the Sun (Civitavecchia-Rome)

Here comes the sun (do, do, do, do)
Here comes the sun
And I say, It's all right
(guitar solo)

Well, the theme continues, sun, sun and more sun.

Monday morning we arrived in Civitavecchia (which is about one hour from Rome). We were up at 7 a.m. Guests were allowed to get off the ship at 7:30 a.m. We got off at 8:05 a.m. with the intent of catching the 8:41 a.m. train into Rome.

We were guests 1316, 1317 and 1318 off the ship. Exactly 1/2 of the 2632 on the ship. So half the ship was off and going within 35 minutes of being cleared. WOW!

We tood Shari and Celeste and Ken's advice and decided to do Rome completely on own. We took the shuttle bus into town and walked for 5-10 minutes to the train station and then headed out to the track to await the arrival of the train. It was very easy to get there. You just followed the hundreds of other guests walking to do the same thing! Met some others who got there for the 8:05 a.m. train which never showed up and were still waiting with us. We bought out tickets, validated them (don't forget to do this in the yellow ticket machine) and waited. The train promptly arrived at 8:41 a.m. and we hurried on and were lucky enough to find 3 separate seats and at least sit down. Most everyone else from the Magic was standing in the aisles the whole way. We arrived at Roma San Pedro about 9:30 a.m. and went straightaway to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican City. We learned that Vatican City is the smallest country in the world (followed by Monaco). That would be in land size. We happened to meet up with Tom, T'lene and girls who had done the Ultimate Rome Tour. They left an hour before us and arrived shortly after us. The said it took 2 hours to get into the city. The train was definitely the way to go. We hung around with the Disney group and learned about the Sistine Chapel and then walked with them to the souvenir/toilet stop. Walked along the original city walls.

After the souvenir stop, they headed back to the bus for their lunch. We walked down the Via Della Concilazioneto and had lunch at a restaurant sitting outside on the street. (Have I said how hot it was yet?) Then we had pizza, and Jamie and I had some spaghetti type dish which had fettucini noodles. It was good. Lunch was 70 Euros (OUCH!).

Then we walked to the Castel Sant Angelo which was closed because museums are closed on Mondays. Then we walked along teh Tevere River to Ponte Cav and crossed the bridge (did I mention how hot it was?) and then walked to the Piazza di Spagna and to the famous spanish steps. There was a wonderful cold fountain where everyone got wet and cooled off from the heat (because it was really hot). The cold water felt wonderful. We got pictures.

Then we walked down Via D Vite and came across an American bookstore, where Jamie promptly on cue said she had to go in and see if they had the new Harry Potter book. Sure enough, there it was. It is smaller in size than the previous American ones we have bought. Paid 30 Euros for it. Would have bought a dozen of them and hauled them back to the ship and sold for a profit (HA) if it wasn't so hot! I'm sure we could have sold them all.

We then went shopping by the Spanish Steps and Jamie bought a shirt. We then walked some more. By then we had walked at least 100 miles in over 100 degrees. But we kept trudging along. Made it down Via del Corso to Palazzo di Montecitoria (parlimentary) and then the Trevi Fountain. Threw in our coins. Too many tourists and too much sun by then! We bought a gelato to get us through the next part of the journey. Then we walked down Via del Crso to Mon Vitt Emanueli II and S. Maria in Aracveli, then to the Roman Forum, the Trojan Markets, the Forum of Augustus and the Temple of Venus and Rome, then the colossieum and then Palatine Hill. By then it was about 200 degrees outside and I was about ready to pass out.

But, we continued on our 500 mile walking journey and did a guided tour of the colisieum and then afterwards headed to the metro and rode it to Termini Station, where we got the 4:38 p.m. train back to the port of Civitavecchia arriving at 5:56 p.m. By then we could barely walk. Rode the shuttle bus to the ship and Donald and Daisy, Daniel, Alen, Brent and crew welcomed us back on board. Got to the ship about 6:15 p.m.

Dinners were scheduled at 6:30 and 9 p.m. So since we had late dinner, we headed to the pool and jacuzzi to work out our sore muscles. The pool had to be about 92 degrees, but boy, it felt good.

No show tonight, just Ratatouille in the Walt Disney Theatre.

By the time we finished at the pool, I snuck off to the spa and took the "waterfall" shower and felt much better.

Then stuffed ourselves, finishing dinner at 11 and promptly heading to bed.

Had a great time in Rome, but did I ever mention how hot it was?

Have been reading everyone's comments they have posted. Thanks for sending notes our way. Miss everyone, I think of everyone often. Especially when they serve "unbrulee" for dinner! Wish you were all here so you could suffer through the heat with us! HA

Okay, I'll try to catch up on more later!

Linda