Trip to Rome Part V - Coming Home!

Thursday morning we decided that we would go back to the Castle Saint Angelo to take the tour.  We didn't buy tickets in advance because it hadn't seemed too crowded the day before.  Once again, our instincts and our luck led us right.  We walked there from our hotel - about a twenty minute walk and arrived in time to be some of the first there.  We bought our tickets and went in.  As with all museums in Rome, this one had a lot of art.  Some of it was more modern, but some was quite old.  There is a program in Rome to buy up culturally significant art, and some of it was housed here.

Bridge between the Vatican and Castle St. Angelo (as seen in Angels and Demons). Look at all the motorcycles! A good mode of transportation on Rome's narrow streets.

Castle St. Angelo was originally built to be a tomb for Hadrian.  It was later made into a prison, and then a fortress.  The popes would use it to take refuge in times of war.  The castle itself was quite neat.  The girls liked seeing the defenses, including canons and canon balls that were on display.

Kids looking at the inner fortress walls.

More examining.

Inside the outer fortress walls.

Catapult.

Some of the cannons with cannon balls.

On the outer wall ramparts!

Sophie and Lexa in the Sentry booth.

All four girls in a recess in the wall.

A vew of the bridge with angels leading to the Castle St.. Angelo

Inside the inner fortress: Hadrian's tomb.

One of the angels at the courtyard inside the castle.

We found a bee on the mantle.  Roman houses have symbols for different families.  This one made us think of my dad, who kept bees for many years.

Looking into prison cells.

The Pope's chest inside the papal chamber.  We can't remember which pope, though...

The top of the fortress was quite impressive.  It had a wonderful view of St. Peter's from one side and Rome from the other.  We spent a couple of hours wandering around and looking at things and just enjoying it.  The castle never got too crowded, so it was also enjoyable.

A view of St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican

Another view from the top. The Tiber river with bridges.  There were four or five bridges very close to the castle. 

View of Rome from the top of the castle.

The angel at the top of the castle.  

The original corridor from the bottom to the tomb of Hadrian.  This was designed so the funeral procession could march into the tomb at Hadrian's burial. 

The Castle St. Angelo from the bridge.  This bridge had angels all across it.

We decided that we would go and try to see the Trevi fountain.  We knew that it was under construction, but it was the last really famous touristy thing that we had left to do in Rome, so we went.  We walked there - it was about a mile and a half.  When we got there we were able to get a good look at it.  It was neat because it was on a little square and came right out of a building.  We were sad we didn't get to see it with water in it, or to throw in a coin, since that means we would make it back to Rome.  We left right as a huge group of tourists (off a bus) came into the square.  Good luck again!

Walking along the river bank.

Taking a break on our walk through Rome. 

The Trevi fountain under construction.  See the worker in the middle for perspective...

Another view of the fountain.

On the streets of Rome.

We stopped by a Burger King to eat (bathrooms, plus less crowded than McDonald's).  After lunch we walked back to our hotel.  We had already gone five miles for the day when we got back.  We stopped by for more gelato to reward the kids for not complaining.  When we got to the hotel (it was about 2:00 p.m.) we had a message from Travelocity.  We called.  They were telling us that our flight had been cancelled and that we would have to wait to contact Transaero for a refund.  We told them that we knew - we had talked to them the day before.  They assured us that we would be contacted by a representative within 48 hours with a resolution.  Since we were supposed to fly out in 23 hours that was a problem.  This representative at least told us that she had found a flight back to Astana on Ukraine Airlines that left about the same time as our original flight the next day.  We booked that trip (it was fairly cheap) and so we knew we would be getting home.

In the evening we went to find a new restaurant, but got turned around.  We figured out where we were and found our little cafe from the night before and ate there again.

Friday morning we woke up and packed.  We ate breakfast and checked out of the hotel at 9:30.  Our driver (the same one who picked us up) took us back to the airport.  We checked in and got through security with no problems.  Ukraine airlines was pretty low cost and not our favorite airline, but it got us home.  We had a two and a half hour layover in Kiev.  We bought everyone a sandwich and drink from a food cart while we waited.

The airport was much different than I remembered from 1998 and 2000 when I arrived and left Ukraine.  I remember the shock of arriving and seeing concrete painted green and guards with AK47s.  I wondered what I had gotten myself into.  Now it's a normal, boring, international airport.

We had a wonderful time on our trip.  We had an adventure with travel - but were safe and sound and happy to get home.  We are looking forward to having more adventures soon!