23 Aug, Venice to Vienna
This morning we cross the border of Italy and come to Austria. The first service station we stopped is amazing, nice food, clear toilet, no crazy crowd like Italy, feel like we're finally in a more civilized country.
Over the past one week, we have been to Florance (1 night and 1 full day), Rome (1.5 days) and Venice (1 night and 1 full day). Not very impressed with Florance, it's a small town compared with Rome, and I had my worse Italy food and ice cream (cost me 12 Euro, damn) in Florance. Maybe if I get the chance to see the Uffizi Museum, the impression will be better.
Rome is really the capital of the Empire, so many great buildings/architectures/heritages. We went around the city on the first day we arrive, oh, forget, we actually had a very morning departure from Florance and arrive Rome before 11am. Straight into Vatican Museum after getting off the bus. The line is unbelievable long, we "sneak in" so that it will get us to go into the museum as soon as possible. Not to mention all the great collections in the museum like all the others, the Sistine Chapel is really a master piece, you could just look at the ceiling for hours to appreciate how Michelangelo accomplishes those great paintings. I spend over half an hour in the Chapel just listen to the audio guidelines and look at all those great paintings around.
During the lunch time I shared an table with two Australians who are currently living in UK but is backpacking for 6 weeks. Start feeling that I am really doing the trip on my own now. The next day is a free day, start with the guided tour of the Colosseum, understand the history behind that, went to the Roman Forum, then later we went to the Capuchin Monks Church, all decorated with skeletons. I didn't go to the catabomb in Paris so decide need to have a look in this one even though I didn't expect too much cos of the scary feeling. However it turns out pretty good. Was fun to go there with a group of people and laugh at each other in the skeleton church!
The day in Rome is so full on. I finish most of the sightseeing I want to do, done good shopping on the Corso Street. Most important of all, I saw the St. Peter's church. Initially Ange told us the church is closed becos of the service, but I still want to have a look even though from outside. It will be a real pity not to see the biggest church on the world, so I manage to get off the Metro on the way back to the campsite, and to my great surprise, the church is open! I can't believe how lucky I am, otherwise I will definitely come back to Rome to see the church (like the wish I made in the Trevi Fountain). When I stepped into the church, I can't stop crying. I guess it's because I am too happy to get to see the church, also it's so big and magnificent. Someone is doing the service in the 祭壇, and the whole church design is also overwhelming. I went back to the campsite at almost 8:30, no dinner, sore legs, tired, but everything is just so worthwhile.
The night before we arrive Venice, enjoyed a very Italian style night life in the camp club. Italians are very easy to take off their pants (it reminds me of someone, haha) but it was a great fun to hook up with the people on the tour and enjoy the time over the drinks. I have been sick since the early start of the tour and haven't been really out partying for a while. Yesterday we went to Venice by boat from the campsite. On the way to the main island, I know why people will fall in love with Italy. Venice is an adorable city, surrounded by water (though it's not very clean), a lot of old streets, and you do get lost very easily, because for some buildings you think are close, they might need to across the river or swimming! I only done the church thing in the morning, the rest of day just wonder (or shop) around. The Marino glass is beautiful, but very expensive and fragile to ship home. Mum and Dad will get crazy here.
We went to the Gondola ride in the afternoon, it's so quiet and peaceful in some of the small streets, just see the water flowing on the side then enjoy the moment. No wonder it's a romantic city for people to fall in love. Louis also proposes to Alex on the gondola, such a romantic thing to do in Venice. Survive in Italy, no pick pocket, not getting lost in the train station. Bravo!
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