Vatican Museums

Okay, so this post is driving me a bit insane. I can't get the pictures right so I am giving up. Apologies in advance for the out of sequence and color change. I used my camera, my blackberry and Radhika's camera to try and pull this together.... so Radhika and I spent our Friday night on a tour of the Vatican museums. As the sun set we approached the corner of the 6 story wall.

Did you know the Vatican has it's own radio station? Of course it does. Doesn't every country?

You had to look EVERYWHERE in the museums. There was amazing stuff every time you turned your head. Just looking at the ceiling put you in awe.


One of my favorite places ever is the map room. I couldn't get the photos in the right order and I couldn't caption everything (grr!) so forgive the out of sequence. Anyway, one huge hallway is filled with painted maps since you didn't exactly have GPS back in the olden days....

Very detailed and accurate. Impressive for being so old.

Along with admiring the ceiling, the floors were equally impressive.

Even more impressive is the number of people in the musuem at this hour. I know friends who queued for 3 hours just to get in (it took us about 10 minutes) and then it was packed. Definitely a Friday night visit is the way to go....



The Coliseum

In an attempt to show off some of my photos better, I'm trying to change up the blog for a better display. If this doesn't work, I'll revert back and see what I can do.

I'm finally getting the Rome pictures sorted and it's no easy task! Lots of good ones to choose from so I will apologize in advance for the over kill of all things Roman. Following up on Roman ruins, the Coliseum. Every time I look at these pictures I seriously want to go watch Gladiator.

I really enjoyed the displays that showed how they got people and animals from below the arena floor out on to the playing field. You'll have to imagine the lions, tigers, bears and gladiators all in their own areas just ready for their appearance. Too bad they rarely got to go back down.

Just proof that I actually went and didn't scan in a bunch of post cards. I didn't anticipate how hot and sunny it was going to be so had to invest in a street side hat to keep the skin from turning pink. Well worth my 5 euros.  

Like I said, lots of photos to get through. You'll almost feel as if you are at the neighbors house watching home movies of their vacations......

Da Bears

OMG. I had one of those Christmas morning/kid-in-a-candy store/grinning ear to ear/ fun fun fun fun fun evenings the other night.

On a beautiful autumn evening I went to Wembley Stadium

To see the NFL!!!!!!!!! It was Bears versus Bucs at the NFL game in London. Whoop! Whoop! (even writing this blog makes me happy). Was it a little taste of home? Was it just great to be at an NFL game again? I don't know but I had a such a good time.

 Maybe it was having a hot dog? Yes, this is my first hot dog in three years. They even had onions on it! Even though the stadium was branded with Bud Light, I had to settle for the stadium beer of Carlsberg. That's okay. Beer and a hot dog while watching a sports match? Almost close to heaven......

It didn't hurt that I had great seats. Row 14, in the corner of the end zone. All the throwing touchdowns and big interceptions happened in our end. They must have known I was there.

 As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave up their home game, the entire stadium was branded in Red and White. They handed out flags to everyone and the stadium was dripping in Tampa Bay gear. I have to say, the crowd responded and when Tampa Bay had the ball, not many people were cheering for the Bears.

 There were still plenty of fans though. Da Bears Da Bears Da Bears. Sausage. Ditka.

 A few Packers fans as well.

 Saints anyone?

Or how 'bout Dolphins, Iowa Hawkeyes, Bears and Bucs? Seriously. Every American football fan wore their jersey to the stadium. It didn't matter who was playing, everyone came to enjoy the NFL.

Still lots of Rome to organize. The weather has been gorgeous here in the UK so I haven't been able to shut myself in the house and get organized. Soon soon soon... but in the mean time, I'm grinning like a cat.

Pirates of the Caribbean?

I'm in the middle of trying to merge my photos with Radhika's so I can put some good posts together. As usual, it is taking longer than expected....

In the mean time, I'll share this statue from inside a church. Looks a bit more like the Pirate ride at Disney than it does a saint. You make the call.

More Roman ruins....

.. but guess where I saw them this time!!

I took a quick weekend trip to Rome (who says that?!?!!) and did some exploring with Radhika. I've got some fantastic photos and you'll be very sick of them after about 8 posts. My obsession with statues went a little over board. Who can help it when you come to this town? Now you'll have to see me whine about organizing my photos for weeks. In the mean time, here's the Coliseum.

It was seriously cool. I have to go watch Gladiator again it was so cool. Here you can see the underground paths and rooms where they staged everything before moving it up to the main floor.

Nope, not the Arc de Triomphe, but similar. We had two days of lovely sunshine and three nights where we drank some good Italian red wine. Not to mention some rest stops along the way for a bierra or prosecco or two. Sight seeing in that town is tiring work!

Roman Ruins... in England

Good friend Radhika came to town and so we spent a gorgeous day exploring the Great Park.



At the back of the park are a set of Roman ruins. It's quite interesting to come around the lake and see them sitting there.

The ruins have a little bit more significance in the next post. You'll see why soon.

Rumor has it they filled parts of Harry Potter here...

Lastly, I tried to get Tucker to pose for a Christmas photo with me. He was having none of it. Oh well, we had a nice time running through the park, exploring the ruins and then stopping for a pint. More photos soon - I have lots from a quick weekend trip with Radhika. Whoop! Whoop!



Alpe d'Huez.. after the race

The weather has turned cooler here in jolly old England and autumn has finally arrived. Since our record heat wave is over, I thought I'd finally post the other summer time photos from my camera. Here are some of the post race photos and although it only looks like we spent all our time on bicycles, I can assure you, we spent plenty of time eating and drinking too. :o)

After our post race celebrations and then being spectators for Gervase's race, we head out for a gentle ride out of town and through the valley. A nice wide bike lane (not that one of these exists anywhere in England) has John doing his Sound of Music impression.



 We even convinced Paul to get back on his bike again. Although he was a bit grumpy, I think the beers and the descending cheered him up in the end. Here the gang climb out of the tunnel and up, up, up....

 .. and away.  Paul and Gervase are chugging along.

 Working our way up the valley.

 At our first rest stop - this one for coffee - I decide to step in front of the camera for a change and pose by the dam. Please ignore my helmet hair. Thank you.

The view from the coffee shop. It's lovely, but would be nicer if we were water side and didn't have the parking lot in the way. Oh well, at least you can see through it!

 John and Beth did some shopping while we were out there and show off their new look. I think they still thought they were in Italy....

 Sadly, you can't see the tiny mountain village in the background. If I ever find some time to re-do the blog, I promise MUCH larger photos. Maybe when I take some time off at Christmas?

 The lunch/beer stop is at the top of Deux Alpes ski resort.

 I couldn't resist the view from my chair. Love the blue sky and white puffy clouds. Now, this might be old hat for the Americans, but we don't get this view in England very much.

At the end of lunch, the group checks in with the electronic age. As Beth indicates, now that we have climbed, eaten and quelched our thirst, it is time for a nap.

Lastly, we weren't the only people enjoying Les Deux Alpes.... apparently the slopes were open too!