Rome Day 4 - Fini

I can't believe this is our last day in Rome. Mum, James and I have packed so much in but continue to find the energy to seek new adventures. The thought of missing something really amazing around the next corner is just not on!

This morning we had dedicated to visiting the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. I knew the queues would be long and the sheer volume of treasures to see could easily take all of the day!

We were walking our usual route to St Peter's when we rounded the corner and saw that something was obviously afoot . There were police, security, motorbikes and cars everywhere, just outside the Piazza columns. The nearby policeman couldn't talk to us as he was 'on guard' but an event was imminent. Sure enough, a command came over the radio and all security sprang into action! Off raced the bikes, sirens blaring, and along came black cars with tinted windows and along comes THE POPE! Seriously! There he was waving to the small-ish crowd (nuns and tourists!) who clapped and waved back. He was dressed in white robes and was on his way to St John's Basilica University, a 10 minute drive away (I made the policeman talk, after all!) Mum and I just stood there and looked at each other and asked if that had really just happened? She had caught it on video, of course! We went to Rome and saw the Pope! We felt blessed!

We were still spinning when we joined the queue for the Vatican. Luckily we had an hour-long wait ahead (!) so we could pinch each other and take in what we had just seen!

It was an 'interesting' experience navigating the museum with the stroller! A couple of people ahead of me got their heels whacked but what could I do? It was very crowded and I wanted to see some of the pieces on show and not just the floor and people's legs! At some less crowded points I let James out for a run. He especially like the Big Pine Cone in the courtyard, and once again we traipsed on grass we shouldn't have. The museum trail eventually wound its way via many, many steps to the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's masterpiece. I love this room and was not so overwhelmed as I was last time. This time I knew what I was long for ie. Genesis and the flight from Eden.. My task now is to read up on some of the other panels in the Chapel, a near impossible task when you're in there!

Mum was truly taken with the Map Galleries. The corridors, more like a series of never-ending rooms, were adorned with 16th century cartography. I commented that the Romans would have to re-do the maps every time they expanded the empire, so the paintings were plentiful! I, too, could have spent much more time here.

After 2 and a bit hours we had to 'step on it' to get out of the museums and back to the hotel. We had been lucky enough to be granted a late 2pm check-out as our flight was not until 5pm and I knew our last day would be curtailed if we had the normal check out of 12 noon. We changed and packed in about 20 minutes then caught a cab to the airport. My original plan was to go back to Piazza Navona for one last caffe and gelato but it was not be. We raced along the Autostrada at 130 kms an hour! Roman taxi drivers...!

So the rest of the afternoon was spent getting something to eat and checking in and waiting for our flight. I was sad to be leaving wonderful Rome, but looking forward to coming home to share our adventures. One Daddy was very happy to see his little boy at the airport, I can tell you!

Ciao Italy, until next time...

Photos are here.