Rome - Vatican City 13/7/10

The broken toe from a statue and Anna's toe for comparison.

One of the millions of treasures in the Vatican Museum.

We lined up bright and early for our visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Even at eight in the morning it is getting hot and we are greatful that the queue is still shaded by the wall of the Vatican. Imagine standing there once the line gets really long and the sun is shining straight down! We are very pleased we made an early start. Touts are selling water, fans, guided tours that allow you to skip the queues, scarves and anything else you might need... at a price.

The Lonely Planet guide suggests that you allow 5 1/2 hours to see the Vatican Museums... I question whether you can see it all even then.
On comparing photos at the end it seems Riccardo has photos of exhibits of interest to him, Anna has ceilings and I have floors!

A huge bowl cut from a single piece of marble.

The floor beneath is covered in an incredible mosaic.

Mosaic floor.
Looking back from the Egyptian rooms.

Intricate carving and beautiful marble pillars.

Incredible paintings.

Being an Intrepid traveller I loved the map room, a long corridor lined with maps of the Holy Roman Empire as they knew it. I had to have a photo of Italy...

I love the rich colours of this painting and the skill that painted such gorgeous fabrics and intricate lace, falling in a folds that catch the light in a way that suggests life and movement.

Leaving via the famous double helix spiral staircase. Anna and Riccardo at top left.

Wedding photos on the Bridge over the Tiber.

From the Vatican we walked to the Tiber and followed it to Augustus' Mausoleum. Riccardo had to go in although you could see most of the enormous carved tomb through the glass walls. Anna and I chilled out in the air-conditioned shop while we waited... by far the better option.

We used our bus tour tickets to go round Rome and back to the Hotel. Some of us had a siesta and some of us got busy on the internet.