DAY 8 OF OUR CRUISE

Rome. An organised excursion which was very good although we could not walk far as it was very hot.

Our first stop was a church of Peter in chains and the chains are depicted in the iron work of the entrance and the original chains are now holy relics displayed inside the church.

The chains are the ones which fettered St Peter in prisons in Jerusalem and Rome.

Very ornate ceilings

 

Gilded marble columns

Stunning statues.

 

 

We saw the coliseum

Still guarded by noble roman soldiers

A couple of beautiful modern sculptures in the grounds

The smoothness of the stone contrasting with the ornate statues elsewhere.

 

the Vatican square was very busy with tourists and pilgrims so we not make it into St.. Peter’s basilica as the queue was enormous. We were told that the queue was over 4 miles long. We would still be there!!

The Vatican city protected by many statues of saints all around the walls -

The Pope’s office  - middle row, second from right. Apparently.

We pottered around, had lunch in a bar and then walked down to the river trying to keep in the shade. Traffic was manic – terrifying at times and I would hate to drive in it.

We got back to the ship about 5 and I had a hot Jacuzzi followed by a swim; washed my hair and arrived early for dinner so had pre dinner cocktails whilst Mike watched Man U v ?????. 

Back to our cabin for tea and an early night as off to Florence tomorrow. We shared our bed with a bunny.