Italy: Rome Part 1

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته and good day!

The final destination of the chronicle...(since when this thing became a chronicle? =P)

So after Pisa, we head to Rome, the heart of Italy!

We arrived quite late already. Sooooo sleeeeppyyyy

Taking the train..the outside sure looks nasty. But the inside...

The next morning, bright and early, we went to the Vatican City, the heart of Christianity (so they say).

The city isn't that big, most of it is the church and cathedrals. 

We didn't buy the tickets in advance, so we had to queue. The queue was very long, but that wasn't the worst part. There were some ignorant, rude pricks that tried to cut the queue. One family (yes..a family, a mum, a dad and two young kids...good example they're showing those kids of theirs) actually got through us. We didn't even notice until suddenly they were standing in front of us, acting all innocent. It was up to the people in front of us to stop them from passing through again. When this 'family' managed to pass through, some more aliens tried to do the same thing, coming from the back. So my friends and I formed some sort of a fort. Poor my bestie because there's this one older lady, she's in the heavy department, tried to push through her by acting as if she wanted to sit on the railings. I told her to stand her grounds!! Even other people behind and in front of us started to get annoyed at this kind of behaviour. 

This was our first bad impression of the Italians. Mind you, these queue-cutting-rude people are Italians. I didn't see any foreigners doing the same thing. Another thing that you need to be aware of when you queue for the Vatican City are people that offer tours. There are many of them, probably legit, but it's quite pricey than you just buy the ticket yourself. You don't need a tour inside anyway, you can just read about them yourself. 

After finally managed to get through and buy our tickets, we went inside. It took us about 20 minutes waiting. It wasn't that bad if you think about it because we arrived quite early in the morning.

As you went up the stairs, you'll go to this foyer. I'm not going to show you the whole gallery inside this city (because there's too many).

The main thing that I want to see here is the one at the back, Sistine Chapel. It's famous for the painting on the ceiling made by Michelangelo. I'll show later on in this post.

This painting is famous in Italy as well. The last supper. The real one is actually in Milan. This is just a canvas replica of the painting.

The Vatican City is actually a huge museum, consisting of various rooms and displays. Some of them are these Egyptian marble jars. Remember The Mummy? Yup, these actually existed. The part about the curse is to be determined. =P

This is actually a letter and an envelope during the Egyptian Era. It's made out of stones!!

Part of the Holy Quran. Amazing!!!

Another Muslim in the Italian history. And they say there's no place for a Muslim at the west. They should read their own history more.

The good shepherd. It's very renowned in the Christian history. 

The halls are covered with such beautiful decor from the walls to the ceilings. These are the only thing that I was interested in. Other displays are all about Christian paintings (which are all made up stories by the artists) and nude statues.

Last, the most important is the Sistine Chapel. You must know this painting.

This is the famous painting. Actually, inside the Sistine Chapel, you can't take any pictures since the space is still being used for holy gatherings such as the Pope Francis's election in 2013. We did this illegally since the opportunity to capture it is hard to pass on. I love art, and this piece is one of my favourite. 

Let's see it up close shall we...You must know the middle picture. It's very famous. If you want to read about it, here's one suggested source.

After all the art that we saw, our tummy was already rumbling so hard.

While we were queuing earlier, someone hands out a pamphlet to my bestie for a halal restaurant nearby. So we went to look for it.

The owner is actually from the middle east. He was very kind and friendly. The food was mediocre, however. I can cook a better pasta, for sure. =P

But the dessert, ooh lala...so good. The tiramisu was up to Italian standards.

This is how the Italians make their coffee called a Moka Pot. I wanted to buy, but I don't even know how to use them. Our accommodations had Moka Pots. I tried using them, but couldn't get a feel to it. 

After Vatican City, we went to the centre of Rome. See the building in front? That's actually a mall. Yup! Believe it.

We went to the bookshop inside the mall..

And found a cafe with a view. So we decided to have a cuppa and rest a bit. 

Image made from multiple images. Awesome!!

I love the architecture in Italy. It is very detailed. Look at this post. Seemed like an ordinary post? Look again...

Each curve, each groove has a very detailed and unique carvings and stories.

In Italy, when you want to cross the road (at a crossing with no lights), you just go ahead and walk, and the cars will stop. You can't wait for the cars to stop by themselves (like in the UK), because they won't. This happened to us when we waited and waited, but the cars just flow through so fast with no intention of stopping, until a local man just walk pass with no care in the world, and the cars stopped. huhu...so we followed his lead throughout our journey.

Afterwards, we walked to the Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain), which is the most famous and largest fountain in Italy. 

See all the people? Hence the fame.

I managed to get a seat beside the fountain, but my friends were seating far away and I couldn't call them. Hence, the selfie. hehe...

After the fountain, we walked to the Pantheon. Dedicated to the worship of every god (Pan-every Theon-divinity), the Pantheon was built by Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 125 A.D. over the ruins of another temple dating back to 27 A.D.  Statesman and General Marcus Agrippa was responsible for the construction of the original church, to whom a dedicatory inscription is clearly visible over today’s magnificent portico.

In 609, it was converted into a Christian Church by Pope Boniface IV and consecrated to Santa Maria of the Martyrs. Turned into a memorial chapel for the kings of Italy in 1870, the tombs of Vittorio Emanuele II, Umberto I and Margherita of Savoy are to be found here together with that of the celebrated Renaissance Artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, who is more often referred to as simply Raphael. -source

Pantheon is famous in Greek Mythology too, but they're not the same.

We didn't enter since none of us are interested to see the tombs. 

That's the end of our first day in Rome..before we went back, we stopped by a supermarket and saw this...

This is called a roman broccolli. Spikey! huhu...

Until next time...

 

Around UK in 7 Days: Swansea

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته and good day!

So after Liverpool, we continued our journey along the west-coast of UK, towards Wales. As you might remember, my parents studied their undergrad in Liverpool. However, my mum did her A-level at Swansea. 

My mum came from a modest family, and she's the youngest girl, with loads of sickness like me. So it was naturally difficult for my late grandparents to let her go. But being a rebel as she is now, she managed to go with their blessings.

Swansea is located at South Wales, around an hour or so from Cardiff. I've never been to Wales before, so I was definitely looking forward for it. Especially after listening to my mum's stories of how it used to be back then.

My mum had booked a house near Ammanford, which is about 20 minutes from Swansea. We used Google maps to search for the address, but then it lead us somewhere else. As we arrived to the wrong place, there were no connection. I was driving, so I decided to just drove to the Ammanford town to get a better signal and re-search for the house. Finally when we arrive, the owner was already there which was lucky because we didn't have to call for him.

 

The house was two storeys, three bedroom, two bathroom and a huge beautiful backyard.  

 

The bedrooms are very comfy as well.

 

 

Even though it's located quite far from the city centre, it's quite a nice place for a night stay.

 

The house is very big. I felt as if a bit wasted since we only stayed a night and didn't really get to enjoy the house fully.

 

That evening, we drove around and search for some food. 

 

We didn't find any suitable places to eat until it was getting dark out. We found a Persian restaurant at the seafront, which was nice.

 

While waiting for our food to arrive, I stepped outside to get a glimpse of the sunset. It was gorgeous! I didn't stay long since it was getting cold and breezy. 

 

While we were driving, my mum saw this ruins and told us it used to be a bridge. It was only about 30 years ago, now the bridge is no longer there. When we drove by, it was already dark, so I only managed to take pictures from Google maps. It's a good thing I have a good memory to remember when it was. 

We did drive to where my mum used to live at, but she didn't seem to be excited to take pictures with it. haha...so we just did a drive by instead.

 

The next day, we head back towards London. My mum found a nearby outlet on the way, so we stopped for a look (initially).

 

In the end, we bought a lot of stuff until it couldn't fit in the car anymore. There were massive sales at Clarks, Fossils and many more. We almost bought the whole store. =P

 

After all the excitements, we finally head home. We managed to go around UK (east, north, west, south) in 7 days. wooohooo!! So much fun! Ah...home sweet home..

Until next time...

Around UK in 7 days: Liverpool

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته and good day!

After St. Andrews, we head back down towards Liverpool. We went to Liverpool before with my grandparents, my parents, my bestie, my sis and her family. This time, we went to the places that we didn't get to go before.

 

Liverpool is the birthplace of the Beatles...where they first played their gig.

 

This is Mathew Street.

 

John Lennon's bar. One of the many famous people who visited the street and bar.

 

This is where it all began. The Cavern Club. This is where they first played.

 

The club is still in operation, with a lot more addition to it.

 

 

A lot of memorabilia surrounding the street.  

 

This wall is one of the most important piece in the street. Let's get closer..  

 

It has a lot of engraved names and bands on it.

 

The Cavern Wall of Fame. There's a lot of names of bands that made it, where they begin from the Cavern, just like the Beatles.

 

We walked to the Queen Square.

 

When we get hungry, we walked to the Bond Street. You can find a lot of restaurants along this street. We ate at the KO Grill, which is a very comfy place to eat. Great and affordable food too!

 

Is anyone reading this a Downton Abbey fan? If so, do you remember Lady Mary when she had an affair with Lord Gillingham in season 5, episode 5. This is the place they went to, The Adelphi Hotel! The hotel is also said to be haunted, since it has been there for more than a 100 years!!! uuuuuuu...

 

Trying to get a good selfie. =P

 

We parked the car earlier near the New Street Station. I did show these place before, but we didn't really take any pictures with it. As what my mum said, if you're not in the picture, there's no meaning because anybody can take the same picture from Google. She has a point though, unless the person photoshopped themselves into the picture. hahahaha..

 

The arrow shows one of the most important icon in Liverpool which is the radio tower. It has been there for decades. Trivia: in which city is the oldest radio station? I knew this from Who Wants to be a Millionaire while I was staying here. Anyone knows? Don't Google it! That's cheating.

 

Moving on...this is the Lime Street Station. My parents first arrived here. My mum told us, she arrived there, alone, not knowing anybody. Kind of a scary thought if you ask me. I've felt it when I first came to London, also alone and not knowing anybody. Plus the incident. 

 

My parents' first date, at the Empire Theatre. 

 

At the back is the Liverpool Old Cathedral. My mum told us this is where her school had the graduation, though she didn't attend the event. When we were there, there was a graduation ceremony.  

 

Last but not least, of course, we went to the Anfield Stadium. Since last time we went here, the stadium were closed, so we didn't get to go to the souvenir shop. This time, we had the chance to. My dad was so excited, he grabbed a handfull of jerseys, keychains and what-nots. I don't even know to whom he would gave them to. 

Well...as long as they were happy, it's fine by me. Plus they used their own money..haha..

Last trivia, what is the official bird of Liverpool? Come on...this is an easy one. Hint: It's not a real bird. 

Until next time...