Roma to Athena, the Pilgrims progress!

Greetings from Athena

The Vatican was fantastic. We had done the ancient Romans the day before, the Coloseum, the Forums and the like and that was amazing, but Rome is a catholic city. Their are churches everywhere. The have churches dedicated to Saints of Fish Markets! All of them worthy of a visit but so little time to do so. We tripped down the Spanish Steps looked at another Bernini fountain, had a worf to Augustis at wis tomb, he didn't respond but the drunk living under the tree did!

On to the Vatican. It is hard to believe the richness and the beauty of the place. Michaelangelo wasn't bat the Pieta is truely moving not forgetting the Dome and the Museum and the Sistene chapel.

We arrived a bit later than we hoped so the line to get into Saint Peters was only a Km long it started to rain and Kerry was impressed. Catholasism is not her strong suit, but with a great deal of stoicism and only the occaissional complaint we made it in 1hour. It was worth it we got a free guided tour which was good because access to the bassilica was free as well a cheao day. This Irishman gave us a great insight into the workings of the church. It cost us heaps later on when we got the guided tour of the Museum and the Sistene Chapel. I don't know what my expectations were but this blew them away!

Stayed in a 4 star hotel in Rome good nightly rate 2 nights at Euro79 1 at Euro69 thought we might stay 1 more the room rate was Euro 340! Moved out to Ostia for the last night by the Airport and found Ostia Antica. Man this was a buzz. The city fell over in the 5th Century and has been relitively preserved. This was not a Forum or an Ampitheatre it was a real town with real people and it was a great day. We thought we might stay for a couple of hours we were still there 5 hours later.

Athens is beautiful. We have been to the parthenon and had tea a great night.

regards

Mike