Florence

Well much has happened since we last wrote. We spent another day or so in Rome where we continued on the Hop On Hop Off bus tour, seeing the St Peters Basilica up close and personal in the Vatican, but being a Sunday we had NO chance of getting in - took some photos though which we will hopefully publish soon! We also saw the Spanish Steps which we had heard all about so we thought we'd better go and climb them!

Then it was onto the Eurostar train to Florence, it was a most pleasant journey, enjoying the delightful Tuscan countryside and before we knew it we arrived at Santa Maria Novella Station. The guesthouse (Il Ghiro, tell your friends!!) was only a 2 minute walk from the station and after we had climbed the 3 flights of stairs we were shown to our room complete with bathroom, towels and TV!

That night we enjoyed an authentic Italian meal at a place nearby as well as a drink at a not-so-authentic Irish pub!!

Yesterday we decided to visit the Duomo which is the main cathedral and is HUGE! Instead of joining the massive queue (which is becoming a recurring theme here) we decided to climb the 463 steps to the top where we got a panoramic view of Florence - photos to follow! In the afternoon it was another scenic Tuscan drive to Pisa where we saw all the sights.

Gypsies everywhere trying to flog off their crusty merchandise. Everytime you say no they keep coming back. Wouldn't mind heading back there with the lads to ruffle a few feathers.

Today we are leaving beautiful Florence and heading to Paris via Rome. Get in very late so wont have time to do anything other than check in and sleep. Hopefully the next internet cafe will have a facility to download photos so we can add them

Ciao for now!!

Rome

We arrived in Rome yesterday after a 12 hour flight from Singapore. The flight went pretty quickly again (doubt it will be like that on the way back). Got to our hotel which is a 2 star establishment... let's just say it hasn't been graded in a while and leave it at that! At least it is close to everything we need.

Went in an illuminated tour of Rome which was spectacularrrrr. Saw all the usual tourist things and saw a few good hotels in a different location for next time.

Today we started off with a visit to the Vatican. It opens at 8.45 and we got their with out tour about 8am. Line up was mamouth, almost Heaven esque (That's Heaven the original, not Heaven II Bradz).

Once again very overwhelming to see so much stuff in the one place and did I metion it was huge!! Everything is here. Even the monuments to different historical figures, seems they all tried to out do themselves when they created them.

Well enough for now, coloseum tomorrow as well as the Spanish Steps then off to Florence.

Ciao for now!
Davey & Jane

Singapore

Helloooo to all from Singapore,

We arrived at 6pm local time and our flight to Rome boards at midnight. The thought of spending 6 hours wandering around an airport didn't sound too appealing however this place is huge!! We've been here just over 4 hours and we still haven't managed to check out all the shops.

First stop off was the 'Oasis' where we enjoyed a masage and free internet. Can't believe how many Aussies are here. Couldn't really tell you were in Asia at all.

The flight here went really quickly all apart from the idiot woman in front of me moving her seat all the way back without checking to see if I was finished eating...... luckily for her I was :)

When we get to a computer with an accessible USB cable we'll add some photos.

Catch ya!

Australia Day 2006

Getting ready for a big afternoon... 7.30am