Nov 13 - 2019
Italy Trip : Day - 2
Day 2 of Rome started little relaxed, more energetic due to some more over night sleep which really helped. This is a day which is not planned that hectic though quite a few places to cover.
After having a heavy breakfast and getting our kid ready we started off at around 9:30 am with a pre-booked skip the line entry pass having starting time from around 9:45 am. As per the weather today was also cloudy initially as we started from Roma Termini to catch the metro (the same 2 day Rome pass was valid for it) to reach Colosseo Metro station. It hardly takes 5 to 6 mins to reach Colosseo station.
The Colloseum
On reaching the place once you just step outside the station , you will see history stands infront of you. It will surely take you to the Roman era and all those movies with ancient civilizations, Rome culture & ofcourse Oscar wining film Gladiator will be coming to your mind randomly.
Goose bumped right !!! So were we, more than me my Sweetheart. She was always excited to see all these dream and historic monuments. Actually she was awestruck & super excited.
To spoil the mood also as we stepped towards the other side of the road for the entry lines it started drizzling a bit but it was very short enough for around 15 mins. We got our entry slot soon & after initial security check we went inside the vast amphitheater
built under the Flavian emperors. It was famous for Gladiator fights where men, slaves and various animals were made to fight against each other. Fights were deadly and various categories and classes of people used to come and enjoy the same. The Gallery was huge to house 50,000 to 60,000 people at a time.
Anyways shortly the weather turned out to be good. We adjusted our bag packs and jackets as it felt warm now. Our baby got awaken by now. After morning breakfast while we were in the road way he went into 1 more round of nap which was not complete though and you know he is out of his sleeping time. Whatever we do his preference was first and foremost, but mostly he is very co-operative. There were 2 floors to climb up, the base recreation of the arena can be seen in the ground floor where the Gladiators and animals were pushed into either from cages or from the cellars situated under the ground.
The Arena was huge, we slowly started strolling around. There was good enough visitors even today also which we didn't expect at this time of the year specially when weather was not up to mark. Target was to stay an hour or two but the place was so special and breathtaking we took some more time initially. After sometime we went to the 1st floor for the top view, lifts are in operation at the entry side of the gates for strollers, wheel chairs or old peoples. I just said our baby was co-operating :-) Not sure why but today he was bit uncomfortable. After getting to the top we have to wait for an hour to comfort him, he was feasibly tired, hungry and accustomed to Indian time to sleep he probably was feeling very sleepy. After lot of caring, consoling, even sharing his best saved cartoons from mobile he went for a nap again
Since we lost some time we didn't stay much more after that, doing a quick round up and taking some nice snaps we finally came outside. The view from outside and from different corners were nice. Really feels amazed to think how badly it got damaged by powerful earthquakes over centuries as per the story goes but yes it still stands wide and tall depicting all the historic significance.
Roman Forum & Palatine Hills
After roaming nearby we went for the Roman Forum, very near and almost opposite to the Colosseum. Roman Forum is basically the ruins and remaining of the Forum. It got mostly destroyed after the fall of Roman empire.
Forum was the center of day-to-day life in Rome: the site of triumphal processions and elections, the venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches and the nucleus of commercial affairs. Here statues and monuments commemorated the city's great men. Religious as well as Social activities were being carried on in the Forum over the centuries.
The ruins really speak volumes of the coverage of the forum. The concrete picture drawn in mind with the Forum completely in construction or even as we see in dummy arts and magazines is really awesome. Every time you seems to go back to the times and think of the civilization it used to be, the mode of life people used to live for.
The entry to Roman forum is inclusive with the Colosseum tickets. So after a short queue and security check we entered the Forum. The place inside was massive and covers lot of area with steeping landscapes downhill. Beside the Forum was the Palatine Hills.Initially we had it in our list to visit but then due to time issue as well as for our little one with his stroller we decided not to get in or climb the hills. It was very visible near to us but having lot of stairs and uphill to cover to the top. We could see many tourists actually on top of the hill overviewing the entire Forum and Colosseum area. I was tempted enough for the lovely view it will present but have to stay back thinking of the tough path to cover it. Anyways we rested inside a bit , refreshed us back with some dry snacks, foods and chilled water from the nearby water taps meant for drinking.
Meanwhile our junior woke up after a good sleep. Aas he was stuck into his stroller and might need a movement ,after a feeding we make him walk a bit with us. He was happy to run around. We continued moving till we reached the end of the place, had some photographs taken. After an overall stay of around 2.5 hours we decided to move for our next destination - The Pantheon.
The Pantheon
We walked down to the street , it was quite chilled during the afternoon time also with the sunny rays even around 3 pm while we try to get to the nearest bus stop to catch the next bus. We were hungry too, got another small round of dry snacks for us and a bottle of milk for our baby.
Normally public transport in Italy or Europe as a whole is always good but we have to struggle a bit this time. Bus intervals were frequent but not for the one we were waiting for - Route 87. Being tired and not exactly knowing how far by walk it will turn out for the Pantheon , we actually waited or rather lost about an hour or more for the bus which unfortunately were coming every 20 mins but too over crowded, not having any space to get with the stroller. After leaving the bus 2 times we got into the 3rd almost desperately just to fit in with the stroller. We have to drop down at Argentina after 2 stops, The Pantheon is around 5-10 minutes walk from here. We strolled within sleek streets to reach a not so much big square where "The Pantheon" is located.
It was a temple of the Roman Gods. Also famous for important burials. Since the Renaissance the Pantheon has been the site of several important burials. Among those buried there are the painters Raphael and Annibale Carracci, the composer Arcangelo Corelli, and the architect Baldassare Peruzzi. An important and marvelous part of Pantheon is its Dome. Work of art is marvelous. The wide huge structure mostly covered by the dome is really a masterpiece in itself. Also the top portion of the dome is open to sky .Often referred as the Oculus, it was built as the only source of light in the centre of the dome.
There is a big fountain infront of the Pantheon within the square with a variety of food shacks outside. We were thinking to relax a bit but time was running away & we were yet to visit the Piaza di Navonna. The days are shorter so have to keep going.
Piazza Di Navona
So we started for the Piazza di Navonna - an open big square with couple of big fountains and some lovely architectures, structures surrounding it. The Piazza Navona is famous among the artists and tourists. It is very popular, not only because of its picturesque appearance, but also due to other attractions such as the fountains, palaces, churches, cafes and restaurants around it.
Quickly the sun went down, the lights are on , the food shacks and restaurants got lighten up also. Overall the view was fantastic. Had some quick pictures of the great hangout. We relaxed for sometime, the nearby bubble makers were entertaining by creating huge soap bubbles. PP(my wife, I call her by her initials) was also amazed & seem to behave as a kid with her boy for sometime.
After sometime spending an hour we finally left from there around 6:30 pm roughly. Still we were hungry and now have to eat something. But we have plans to have some shopping as requested by PP in the streets close to Vatican city. So I did a quick research to get hold of a bus nearest to Vatican City. But we were too hungry first. Once got down from the bus was located a Mc Cafe nearby which was actually closest and behind the Vatican walls near the entry points. Took another 15 minutes to reach the same. Without wasting much time we gobbled some croissants and Cappucino and got quickly refreshed there. Our baby got a high chair for the first time in the trip. He was amazed and playful in that.
As we were just outside the Vatican Square we can't leave the option to see the Vatican during night time under lights. Quickly we went into the Square. It was very empty but looked awesome under lights. Took some night pics, my junior was again sleepy ,we left him in the square by himself for sometime , he was drowsing while walking :-)
Anyways time was running, it was about 7:30 pm ,so we walked back to the shopping place leaving the Vatican square which took around 10 minutes. It was nearing 8 pm and all shops were preparing to close mostly. PP visited 2 to 3 shops and selected a top of her choice almost in a hurry at the end as the aged lady in the shop was desperate to get us a quick decision. So PP took 1 piece she liked as a memento and then we started back towards our hotel. On the way we bought some souvenirs from street side. The vendors were probably Bangladeshi's so they were happy to greet and talk to us about us and India.
Finally we boarded the Metro and reached back Roma Termini. On way back to hotel we found a Bangladeshi restaurant with traditional Indian food. Own food after a full day of tiredness is what the need of the hour. In between PP bought a stylish hat for her for next shoots. Getting back in the hotel we quickly freshened up our baby "Ron" who was too very tired. He made a nice relieving sigh after getting a chance to lay down in the bed. We next helped ourselves to freshen up and have our tasty dinner.
2 days passed. Next day awaiting new destination "Florence" but again have early morning around 9:20 am start as was having pre-booked tickets. As per the train it would take roughly 1:30 hours to reach there. Also have to pull in the luggage again adding to strollers and heavy backpacks.
Tips to Note :
1.Though with baby & you have to keep all baby essentials, limit your own bagpacks, dress sets etc, keep it light and simple to stay focused on your trip
2.Winter time can be avoided as jackets and woolens are additional stuffs to wear and carry
3.Also Winter times are short, so you have to start early and wrap up by 4:30 pm, night activities like shopping and dinning can be planned accordingly
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