XII. The Vatican

Captain’s Log: Friday, 6 April 2018

Accommodation: Ciak Hostel, Rome

Distance: Around the Vatican

Weather: warm and sunny

On our last day we have planned to finally visit the Vatican. We both knew that this would also finally be the time when we actually have to wait a long time until we can get into the museums.

We decided to first have a look at the Vatican Museums, and then go into the St. Peter’s Basilica.

For the museums we waited about 1 hour and 10 minutes. At first we both were a bit tired and annoyed, but then we had the great idea to start playing “Stadt, Land, Fluss”. The time went by without us noticing it, so the time we spend in that queue was not so bad.

But we were still glad once we were inside. It was just a bit crowded with all the groups in it, but anyway, it was like we had expected it.

I am just going to throw in some pictures, since there is not much to talk about.

This one was actually quite fascinating since I have seen it at least in school in my Latin classes, I think. It was nice to see the real picture now.

We also visited the Sistine Chapel, where we were not allowed to take pictures. But the whole Chapel was so impressive! The details in the whole pictures on the walls and the ceiling, it must have taken ages to create it. We also saw the famous image of the Creation of Adam on the ceiling.

The Chapel unfortunately was a bit crowded, so we had to get out eventually again. The rest of the museum was impressive as well, especially some of the art works at the ceiling, where they mixed statues with paintings, so it was some kind of 3D painting. I thought it looked kinda amazing.

Anyway, at some point we had to leave the museums again, so we walked over to the St. Peter’s Square to get into the queue for the entrance to the Basilica.

At least we were able to continue our game.

Again, after a bit over an hour, we finally reached the security check points at the pillars.

We decided to walk up to the cupola first, and entering the Basilica afterwards.

It was a bit over 500 steps up, but we are young and sporty, so that was not such a big problem for us.

We were here on the half way up. Then the way started to look kinda.. crooked.

It is not the picture which is crooked, look at the floor.

Anyway, we managed to get through it without bigger problems, until we finally reached the top.

Needless to say that it was worth it. Unfortunately I do not have a lot of pictures on my phone from up there because I was scared of dropping it, but I have enough on my camera, which was safely attached to my arm.

At some point we were able to get down again, even though it was hard to leave.

The way down led us directly into the Basilica. Apparently there was a sign somewhere which said no pictures, so I do not have any of inside the Basilica. I saw many people taking pictures anyway, but yeah. It would not be the same on the pictures anyway, you cannot capture these gigantic halls, the impressive atmosphere on pictures, it is just not possible. I could have walked around in there for ages just looking at the paintings and the statues the details of them, enjoying the atmosphere in the whole Basilica… Yes, I was really impressed, but, as always, we had to leave eventually.

It was getting late already, and on our way to the Metro and back to our Hostel, we stopped at one of the more famous Gelaterias of Rome, the one with the 150 flavours.

I remembered it from my trip to Rome with the school in 2012, and I wanted to go there again. This time, I had Mandarin, Rocher and Black Cookie. Maybe we are going there tomorrow again if we have the time, so that we can get both some different flavours.

Afterwards we got back to the Hostel, packed our bags, relaxed a bit, before we took the Metro back to the city to get something proper to eat.

We found a restaurant close to the Pantheon which was not that expensive, and enjoyed one last Pizza in Rome.

It is kinda sad thinking about leaving Rome, but every story has an end, even the good ones. But at least our flight back to Vienna is in the evening tomorrow, so we can enjoy the city a little bit longer.