A Panda to Tuscany++

[Jacques Vert]

...so we decided to come back the following morning and headed for the Castel S. Angelo instead.

The Castel S. Angelo was originally built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself but later used by the Popes as a fortress to protect themselves from attacking armies, etc. It is linked to the Vatican by a stone wall and corridor that the Popes would use to make their escape to the fortress. It has an interesting history and we enjoyed a few hours here:



There are some great views from the upper levels:





More painted ceilings and walls:



And interesting exhibits:

 

[Jacques Vert]

After the Castel we walked, bused and trained around the city.

We passed the Spanish Steps:





And the Trevi scaffolding:


yes, it is still being restored,

the forum:



and the Monument to Vittorio Emanuelle II (who I understand was the first king of a unified Italy):

 

[Jacques Vert]

And later, one of my favourites, the Pantheon:



Unfortunately the battery in +1's camera had gone flat so these photos had to be taken on the phone camera.





And then Aperitivo in the Piazza Navona but no photos as the phone just wasn't up to the task.

So back to the hotel for another crack at the Basilica in the morning; third time lucky?

 

[Jacques Vert]

St Peter's Basilica:

An early start again and up to the bus stop; rain and storms predicted. Schools closed for the day.

As this is our third attempt to enter the Basilica in three days you would think that we would have it all under control. So when two buses arrive together I get on the same numbered bus as the previous two days only to find that +1 is missing! So I quickly jump off, just in time to see +1 depart on the other bus, looking rather concerned. So the bus heads across the Tiber with me in pursuit on foot, not knowing where the bus was taking her.

I did quite well at first, even overtaking the bus when it was making slow progress due to the traffic. Then the red light turned to green and the bus took off, turned a corner and disappeared from sight. Was I worried? Not really...this is not the first time we have become separated in a foreign country so for this trip I made sure that we both had global sim cards in our phones so no matter what country she ended up in, at least she could ring me. (Well worth the money.)

I eventually catch up and +1 draws my attention to two "facts":

1. It was all my fault;
2. The stop where she "chose" to get off was actually closer to the Basilica then the one I had chosen on the previous two days!

"Yes Dear".

We arrive at security to find that we are indeed near the head of the queue, through security and finally inside:

 

[Jacques Vert]

The Cupola:

After the Basilica and the Crypt, we head out front and around to the side entrance to climb the Dome (sorry, Cupola). You can take a lift part of the way leaving you only 330 odd stairs or you can take the stairs the whole way (500+). +1 one opted for the lift but not me, having climbed every tower in northern Italy I'm feeling fit:



After approximately 150 stairs I realise how warm and humid it is today..



Worth the effort:

 

[Jacques Vert]

More stairs takes us to the top (almost):



Of course the views are spectacular:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Then it's off to the Colosseum before heading to the airport:



only to find it's closed due to the impending storm.:!::shock:

Well at least we can look at the outside:









And of course if I needed an excuse to return to Rome, I now have one!

Perhaps I should wait until they finish renovating the Trevi Fountain.

 

[Jacques Vert]

OK; the weather is starting to deteriorate so we decided to head to the airport a little earlier than originally planned.



Visibility was poor and deteriorating but it didn't mean that our driver was going to slow down; not even when we stared aquaplaning at 100km/h! Oh well, this is Italy; so I looked out the side window at the hail building up on the side of the road.

The terminal was partly flooded:



as was the normal lounge but arrangements were made for us to use a lounge in a different part of the terminal to await our flight to SIN via DOH.

 

[Pushka]

I found the colosseum rather depressing when I read of the inhumanity and cruelty that was enjoyed in that venue.

Any idea when Trevi will be completed? Hopefully by August but not counting on that.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Any idea when Trevi will be completed? Hopefully by August but not counting on that.

No idea; it is Italy so it could be anytime...

 

[Jacques Vert]

QR110 (FCO-DOH):

An A320, Cpt Alexander, CSM Sara and FA Belinda. 2 + 2 in J. Quite nice (forgot to take photos) and excellent service.

After the crazy drive to the airport I needed something to settle my nerves and the Billecart-Salmon was just the thing (as was the Taittinger Prestige Rose, the Bordeaux, and the Tokaji). Didn't manage to eat all of the eel :shock: but the rest of the food was all good.

Arrived in DOH pretty much on time and into the lounge for breakfast. There was a long queue to use the showers but as we had a couple of hours before our next flight it all worked out OK. Except we (sorry, I) underestimated the distance to our gate which was more than 15 minutes walk...just made it.

QR938 (DOH-SIN):

A 787, Cpt ?, CSM Rowena & FA Lisa (from Singapore):

Remembered to take a photo of this one:



As the risk of being expelled from this community, I have to say I was underwhelmed by the 787. Sure it's nice, but maybe after all the hype I was expecting something more, maybe it's because I've done most of my flying on small planes, maybe it was because we weren't seated together or maybe because it was quite full in J.



So we arrived at the IC Singapore, totally exhausted, and had two nights (on points) to recover before our flight home (in Y:shock.

We enjoyed the IC:



especially the lounge

 

[Jacques Vert]

As noted in post #4, SIN is the half way point in our 280k award ticket.

We purchased a discount economy return SIN-SYD-CFS-SYD-SIN and return to SIN to use up the rest of our miles in May.

It would be grossly unfair of me to comment on the flight from SIN to SYD on QF as it was an overnight flight in Y whereas all our other flights were in J. How could I be objective in such circumstances?

I trust some of the information in this thread is helpful to other members.

JV

 

[amaroo]

Any idea when Trevi will be completed? Hopefully by August but not counting on that.

IIRC sometime in Autumn ... I'm guessing the scaffolding we still be up when we arrive for Xmas

JV - excellent TR!

 

[ellen10]

Fantastic report and great photos.
I loved travelling along with you.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Fantastic report and great photos.
I loved travelling along with you.

A big thanks to +1 for the photos.

 

[JohnK]

Very nice trip report Jacques Vert.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Very nice trip report Jacques Vert.

Thank you John,

Glad to see that you enjoyed it.

JV

 

[Gem56]

Fabulous TR JV, felt as though I was travelling with you! Great photos.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just indexed - you covered a lot of territory!