The Papal Address, Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica

I would like to say that 'skip the line' tours are awesome. We used three different tour guides in Rome and all were wonderful. Second day in Rome was Vatican day for us. We got up early and saw the Pope. He rode his Popemobile around twice and kissed all the babies. We know this because they have big screens that show Pope Francis making his rounds. We had a close up shot of Pope Francis.

The Pope and his associates repeat the Papal Address in every language of the people in attendance. Your name and address goes to the Vatican a week before your visit so they can track everyone. It was hot and we listened to the same address in about 10-12 languages, but he blessed all of us there speaking English and all of our friends and loved ones. So most likely if you are reading this, you were blessed by the Pope on May 13th, 2015. 

So back to the room for a brief rest and food. Next up....we are back at the Vatican and some ladies talk us into the Vatican tour. A little unorganized at first, but what a great tour. I took about 300 pictures in the Vatican. From there, we went to the Sistine Chapel (not allowed to take pictures) and then on St. Peter's Basilica. What a moving experience. There is nothing like being there and going to the Prayer Room to pray for friends and family. I'm going to post a few pictures from the hundreds I took.

The paintings on the hallway just before the Sistine Chapel.

Laocoon and His Sons Antiphas and Thymbraeus being

crushed by sea serpents.

No pictures of Sistine Chapel which was amazing. Next on to St. Peter's Basilica. Everything was so beautiful and it was just a moving experience to be there.

This is a painting done to look 3D.

Relais Navona 71 in Rome's Piazza Navona

Nick and I left Isle of Capri fairly early in the morning. Our Australian friends gave us some hints about Rome. Buy a hat and a selfie stick right away so you won't be hassled the entire trip. We got to Naples and realized the train that we took down from Rome doesn't leave for three hours. Naples is not on the 'favorites' list, so three hours in Naples was not where we wanted to be. 

We found another train Italio that didn't go to Roma Termini, but went to Roma Tiburtina that left right away. We barely got our tickets and bolted to the platform. This train cost more, but it included drink service and free Wifi. Oh, and we get to Roma Tiburtina and it was so much nicer than Roma Termini, but a little further away from hotel. Found a cab and was quickly at Piazza Navona which is where we stayed. Piazza Navona was built in 1000 AD. That is old. 

The hotel is hidden. I'm including pictures at the bottom of the page in case someone else decides to stay there. We stayed at Relais Navonna 71, which 71 is the address. It is located between two restaurants.

Piazza Navona. I could upload pics of fountains for the next week or so if I wanted...I don't.

Day one in Rome. Decided to just walk around. We went to Pantheon.

Pantheon

Next up, buy a selfie stick. Decided to venture to the Spanish Steps.  I used to think I could follow a map. I never got my bearings in Rome. The street signs are missing and all roads somehow lead all squiggly back to Rome. So after asking no less than 20 persons for help, we found the Spanish Steps. We found we could get around Rome by only knowing the following Italian and this is probably wrong, but at least it worked.

• Quanti Euros? (How many Euros?)
• Dove e.. insert well known place here? (Where is Colosseum?). If they do not know English, they point. So basically we had to ask at each intersection so someone could point for us.
• For cabs, Quanto a airport? Quanto a colesseum?

So here is me NOT figuring out how to use the selfie stick. Nicky figured it out and did a very fine job of it. The stick is not supposed to show. I will say that having my camera on this stick did not stop the hassles. Now men try to sell me a SECOND selfie stick.

After a long day of walking, back to Piazza Navonna.

You can't even tell Nick is holding the selfie stick.

Look for this black door between two restaurants for Relais Navona 71. You will see the address 71 in upper right corner above door. Ring bell to get buzzed in. The room was fine, but the location is superb.

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