Destinaton: Rome - Part 2

Day 3
Date: 1 February 2011

Okay, back to Rome today. I paid €20 for a 2 day Hop On Hop Off bus. It is a great way to get around the important sites around the city. 

I took the bus from one of the stops at Termini Station. There is this audio slot at every seat, talking about the important sites along the way.

I remember this being Via Nazionale where most of the shops are at. Good for shopping but such a long walk from one end of the road to the other end!

Naked statue.

I don't remember much of the minor sites though. I am so forgetful!

This is a no brainer - it's the Colloseum. Very run down IMO.

I hope it won't collapse when I'm inside. 

More naked statues!

Ahh this is the famous St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. It's really huge! Looks like a palace though.

Some river, but I liked the view.

Finally, this is the building located at Piazza Republica. IQ Hotel is just a block away!

Destination: Pisa

Day 2
Date: 31 January 2011

I bought the train ticket to Pisa online - about 2 weeks prior to my trip. You can check out TrenItalia's website for any purchase of train tickets within Italy. I manage to get a 'Mini' fare ticket to Pisa for €20 each way. Normal price would be around €39.50.

I had a breakfast at one of Termini Station's cafe. I got myself a cup of hot chocolate (€2.50) and a panini with cheese (I think it's mozarella as it's slightly tasteless and gooey) with some kind of grean leafy vege inside (€2.50).

I liked the hot chocolate very much. It's very thick, sweet and strong taste of cocoa. Unlike Melbourne's Max Brenner - it tasted like melted creamy chocolate bar. Didn't like the panini much though.

Termini Station

I was looking at my watch and it's only 8.04am. My train leaves at 8.07am so I thought I'd walk slowly to the platform. Upon reaching the platform, I saw a train, just leaving the platform. OMG. I looked at the time on the announcement board - it's 8.08am. My watch was slower by 4 mins and I missed the train by 1 min!

I got a little upset that I missed the train. I was thinking if I should still go to Pisa and then decided to get another ticket. The new ticket is €31. I could've changed the departure time of the ticket if I had bought a normal priced ticket. Apparently the 'Mini' ticket is of a promotional fare. Totally non-exchangeable.

Lesson: Please set your watch according to the train station's announcement board!

I was so eager to get to Pisa. Mainly because I want to see the Leaning Tower. I wonder how far it's leaning out.

Pisa Centrale - aka main train station

Walking out from Pisa Centrale, it seems much calmer than and less 'city' like than Rome. Well obvious, Pisa is just a small town compared!

I did write down the directions on how to get to the Leaning Tower, however, the directions didn't get any easier. It's not so easy to navigate in Pisa or Rome (well, to me anyway).

I was following the crowd. Well, I thought they were all heading to the Leaning Tower but I was wrong, they were catching a bus. Duh! Anyway, as I was walking, I walked upon this small street.

There were a few nice shops opened. I later found out from my friend Ed that most shops are closed from lunch time till about 3pm. I managed to get an MNG blouse for €5.95 and a pair of Promod shorts for €14.95. Everything was on sale. I was lucky to be able to get both at such affordable prices. Luckily they have both in my size.

At the end of this street is this river. The buildings that line along the river looked really nice. It might not be Venice but, it's good enough for me!

Finally, after walking straight, asking around the locals for directions, I managed to get to where I was supposed to go to! Phew!

It seems like it's sinking in and not really leaning too bad. The building looks really good actually, looks like it's made of marble and clean too.

Had a late lunch at this quaint little restaurant. The lasagna wasn't as good as I thought it'd be though.

Destination: Rome - Part 1

Day 1
Date: 31 January 2011

As soon as we arrived Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (aka Fiuminico - FCO), we were transported from the plane to the main terminal via a bus. I thought that we would get an air-bridge but oh well. Beats walking in the cold!

FCO looks a little dated. Probably similar to the Subang Airport before they refurbished it. It was wee hours in the morning and I didn't even bother to explore the airport. I was exhausted and eager to head down to my hotel room downtown.

I was googling non-stop for the cheapest way to get from FCO to downtown Rome. There I found out I could get into the city for only €4.

1) FCO-Parco Leonardo Station - €1 (FR1 Line)
2) Parco Leonardo Station-Ostiense - €1 (FR1 Line)
3) Piramide-Termini - €1 (Metro B)

Please take note that you have to buy both tickets 1 & 2 at FCO itself. I'm not really sure if I should've validated my ticket at FCO (1&2) itself. I got off at Parco Leonardo Station and had to wait another 30 mins for the next train. The machine in Parco Leonardo Station is not in service or maybe it is never in service on Sundays?

Ostiense Station and Piramide Station is inter-connected. You can buy the ticket from one of the mini food-stalls in between both stations.

All in all, I think the journey takes about 1.5hours including the 30 min wait at Parco Leonardo station.

Airport Lounge Review: Doha International Airport's Oryx Lounge

Being in a 12hr and 50 mins transit means, I would definately have to check into the DIA's Oryx Lounge. I cannot go through a 24hr not havng to shower.

I paid USD40/QAR140 to enter the lounge. They have very little selection of foods and a wide selection of drinks. At least they are all of unlimited supply.

Their shower room is pretty standard, only had a shower gel. They should've added in shampoo, conditioner and a hair dryer.

It gets pretty crowded at night as most of the flights depart at midnight onwards.

Sorry but no photos for this time around because I was too tired from the flight.

Hotel Review: IQ Hotel Roma

Date: February/March 2011

Check in was a breeze. The reception was very helpful. However, I didn't manage to get to my room until about 11am due to another guest who only check out at that time.

Obviously the hotel was fully booked. The room was really nice, it's contemporary and very clean. The TV is useless though, channels are all Italian. Luckily I brought my laptop. The room comes with free internet. The speed was incredible too. Love!

The room has a thermostat which I like. I can turn it to max 30c but that's ridiculous. I kept it at 25c so it won't be too warm nor too cold.

Overall Review: Stay there when you're in Rome!!