Day 96 - Bits of Vatican City and Roma

Last full day in Roma. First stop, to the Vatican to see St Peter Basilica, as we couldn't go in the other time we were there.

The borders of Vatican City.

We first went under the Basilica, to see the sarcophagus and tombs of past Popes. Photography wasn't allowed inside the chamber, so no photo. The crowd was at the tomb of Pope John Paul II. Many place their cross on the floor of the tomb and picked it up. I wonder what was it for. Blessing?

St Peter Basilica. One word when we entered - Wow.

The interiors is......speechless

Famed Michelangelo's work - La Pietà

Some of the past Pope's remains are kept in glass chambers within the Basilica. Curious onlookers, disrespectful ones taking photos with flash. Sigh.

No idea what's this pavilion for though.

A service was going on in one of the chapels, but the tourists inside the Basilica were simply so noisy, I wonder how the congregation tolerated it.

List of previous Pope. Number 1 on the list, with the biggest font size is St Peter.

After St Peter Basilica, we went to explore the rest of Roma. This is Castel Sant' Angelo, an old fortress.

Another obelisk stolen from Egypt. Outside the Pantheon.

The Pantheon - built to worship the Pagan gods, converted for Christianity purposes by Constantine.

The roof of the Pantheon.

Interiors of the Pantheon

Piazza Navona

Wonderful Jazz Band.

We headed off to a restaurant nearby for our only good meal in Italy. Recommended by Lonely Planet to be cheap and very good. The wood fired oven looks promising.

Shiyang's - The yellow thing is actually Pasta, with tomato sauce and meat.

Stuffed zucchini flowers, a roman speciality. It was good. And the oil that ooze out from the frying? It's clear and light yellow - indicating that the olive oil wasn't reused.

Pasta Carbonara. I never had pasta that has so much texture before. Must be handmade.

This is the restaurant - Dal Paino. No frills, cheap and good!

It's not your eyes. The red lights in Roma is especially big.

Area Sacra, where Julius Caesar was murdered.

Monumento a Vittoroio Emmanuele II - a monument dedicated to one of the founding fathers of modern Italy. Full display of nationalism and the narratives they tell.

That's Vittoroio Emmanuele on the horse for you.

The femals represent the different regions of Italy. Why female? According to the sculptor, they embody the values better. How gendered and feminised.

You're not allowed to sit on the steps and smoke here. If not, got Mata blow whistle at you. Have to be respectful in this monument that holds the Tomb of an Unknown Soldier. Embodying the whole ideal of the nation, the narrative of its nationalism.

See what I mean......

Wild flowers are out in this (relatively) warmer day.

Fontana di Trevi

Street hawkers. Everywhere in Italy that we've been to, they sell the same thing, and use the same tactics.

Don't suka suka do anything here. Got Mata watching you.

Legend has it that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain, you'll return to Roma. Hence, it's so crowded with tourists, with everyone doing the same corny pose.

The fountain is actually straight, but due to perspective differences, it may not seem so in this picture.

Night falls, lights up.

I heard that the person who clear the coins every morning earns about US$10K every year, just by collecting the coins! Apparently, some organisations tried to sue him for collecting public funds illegally, but the Italian court ruled that these coins are not public funds.

A rare treat of Gelato from Blue Ice Gelateria. 2 scoops for €2, and such a huge scoop!