Day 1 Moscow to Rome

So it is late I think. We are in the Hotel Cavalieri which is the Waldorf Astoria over looking Rome and before you go thinking that is posh, the deal I got off the internet was too good to be true. I really though someone would ring me up and say there had been a mistake like that one in the news the other day who posted a rate of $0.02 cents per day and had to honor the bookings a $90,000 mistake so someone’s career has possibly been curtailed a little. Anyway to add to the hotel we also booked their limo to pick us up from the airport as it was only 20 Euro difference between them an a taxi and they know where the hotel is the taxi might not.

The flight was pretty uneventful although we were going out of Gate 10 which was the one I used to go to Brussels a month or so back (is it a couple of months wow).

The door to the loading bay had a huge lock on it although it did not stop about 15 Russians trying to force it open during the 30 minutes we were hanging around waiting to start boarding. When it was unlocked by security there was a tidal wave of people rushing down the stairs some trying to get in front of the guards which is just silly. Anyway Judi and I tag onto the back of the pack and by the time we get on the bus we seem to be part of the “How many people can you squeeze into an Airport bus” completion. Not sure if our drive actually beat the record but he must have been close. I think if the children count as a full body then the cup should be his by tomorrow.

A tip for you if you find yourself on an airport bus go for the middle door on the left. Planes board on their left from the front and the bus approaches them from the front so an ideal position I find. Well this time is was anyway as I was second onto the plan which given we were in row 27 was a good thing. Judi being less focused was unfortunately one of the also rans in this particular leg of the “Great race”. Don’t worry I would not have let them take off without her well probably not anyway as she knows where the boat tickets are. So apart from the girl in the third seat of our row putting her mascara on as the plane took off (the flight was 3 and a half hours so not sure what the rush was to get it done then) and a girl two rows back who managed to talk continuously and loudly for the whole flight (not sure she ever drew breath) and yes I do mean the whole flight there was no much going on. We were flying Aeroflot in a new Airbus so the plane was fine. Somehow I go a window seat which is never my choice. I don’t like the way the wings flap around on take off. I know it all works but planes are heavy and I was never good at physics I just assume the pilots are and assume it will be ok.

A ripple of applause broke out to announce our landing, never quite sure what makes people do that possibly a relief sort of thing.

We had been up from 5 30 am to get to the airport for 6:15 a good 30 minutes before the check in opened and 3 hours before the plane was due to leave. Judi did try and get us through but we got turned back by the security. Most of the flight was taken up be catching up on sleep. Passport control in Rome was a guy waving at us to go through and the cases came quite quickly which beats some of the experiences we have had recently. We do seem to have a lot of cases, 3 checked plus a wheelie and my rucksack but to be honest all are only half full. I am taking “Nancy’s” approach to holidays which s that all you really need is a credit card and a toothbrush so whilst we have the luggage there is room for purchases..

The airport is Fuminciaro (not sure of the spelling) and is somewhat familiar as it was the one I used when I worked in Rome (although that is closing in on 20 years ago).

Finding our driver reminded me of all of those little frustrating things the latin character has to offer. Lots of drivers with signs but not ours and after a phone call to the Hotel to confirm that the driver was actually there we tramped back and forth to eventually fine a middle aged lady talking on her phone with my name on the back of an envelope written in biro. Perhaps it was something of an inconvenience to have us getting in the way of what ever she really wanted to do. Thinking this is worth a mention to the hotel when we arrive, we step out into 37 degree sunshine. Not sure what 37 converts to but its hot. The silver Jaguar waiting a few meters way did something to calm us down as did the air conditioning inside it.

The hotel is on one of the hills to the North West of Rome so a winding route and a 40 minute drive. I even recognized some of the places on the way which made me feel good (no dementure yet then). A not quite modern hotel but very grand with lots of people fawning over us. Rooms not ready so we sit on the veranda coffee for me an a glass of wine for Judi (well it would have been 3 pm in Moscow). I was tell in Judi about the Beach holiday blog and she was trying to back track holidays to work out when the last “do nothing” holiday was. She tried to convince me that is was Belize until I reminded her we spent 4 hours on an unmade road in the back of a full 8 seater coach going to one temple in Nicaragua and that we had to have an armed guard escort us there and back to a second. Went on horseback to a third (And I got thrown) and a boat to a fourth so not what “I” would consider as relaxing.

The room is even bigger than the pictures showed and overlooks Rome (check out he pictures on Picassa) We decide to wait until 4 pm to go into town the Vatican is only a ten minute ride away. A down hill taxi ride reminded me why the Italian like Formula 1 so much they all think they should get a seat in the race. Suddenly you turn a corner and there it is. The Vatican in all its glory. It is just as you would expect however as you get nearer and go inside it takes on another format. It is huge and it must have awed anyone who saw it when it was first erected. The thought crossed my mind that we will be in Jerusalem in a week or so and how come Rome is the center of the Catholic faith whilst Israel is where it all happened. Not to worry there is so much to see. We have been to many cathedrals this is possibly the biggest although maybe not the grandest never the less it is iconic. We try and get to the Sistine chapel but it had closed so it means another trip back sometime. It is on my list and tried three times now so next time it needs better planning.

We wander around the town which is actually very quiet. Judi thinks everyone but the tourists have left the city and given the heat I don’t blame them. We are heading for the river to find somewhere to eat when we chance upon a square full of artists and restaurants. The funny thing is I have been here before and tripped up over it last time. Not really looking for it but just sort of stumbled across it. So we decide that’s where we will eat Judi finds one which is listed in a guide book (which we don’t have) and down we sit. Fresh pasta and simple salads. It does not take much to make a good meal just good fresh ingredients. We sit and idly watch the artists and the musicians playing and remembering many many different places we have been and dinners we have had.

It is only day one of the vacation and this has been a good one. My favorite city (because it is chock full of history every corner brings something) the sunshine a good meal and a couple of drinks a great way to start a vacation. Tomorrow we will have a real route and a plan. None of today’s adhoc wanderings so I best get some rest.

(I only took 238 pictures today so goodness knows what the total tally will be, they are not all there)
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