Sim Card: Italy - 2011

Ok, let's talk about Sim Cards now, shall we?

On my last trip, when I went to Italy that is, I tried using my mobile phone (still roaming with Celcom) sms-ing a friend in Rome. I didn't get any reply from my friend at all and when I had the chance to go online using the hotel's free wifi, I asked my friend about this problem.

Sometimes it causes problem when sending an sms using a Malaysian number. He said to buy a local sim card.

I went to the nearest mobile phone shop at the main train station and got myself a sim card. It costs EUR5 and has a EUR5 credit for sms & calls. I didn't ask about data plans as I don't have an android phone nor Iphone.

I just bought whichever was recommended by the sales assistant from the mobile phone shop.

Destinaton: Rome - Part 4

Day 5
Date: 03 February 2011

I decided to do a walking tour today. It wasn't easy to navigate in Rome. Road signs were barely visible. When I first look for the road signs, I was thinking 'Where the hell are the road signs?!'. Apparently it's located at the walls of the buildings. Duh!

Anyway, I had lunch at this particular restaurant (forgot the name) at Via Nazionale. It was OK and the price was so-so. I think the restaurant at Termini Station called Ciao was so much better.

And I thought this was the Spanish Steps. Haha! Anyway, I'm heading to Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon and Spanish Steps.

I kept walking. Hoping to find the fountain soon. As my feet are getting tired from walking non-stop.

Finally found it! It was huge and again, looks like it's made of marble. I didn't throw in a coin or 2 or 3.

I found a nice souviner shop at this alley. It was cheap!

 

So this is The Pantheon. I initially thought it was some kind of museum but I was wrong. I also expected it to be bigger but it is not! But entrance was free. Apparently a friend told me that the hole at the ceiling isn't even covered by glass. Hrm...

I sat in the church for awhile. To look at the interiors. It was amazing and surprisingly I felt very calm.

I walked pass by this columns. I have no idea what it was before or anything. Just thought it looked cool.

Trying to be artsy here.

Next stop - Spanish Steps. Now where is the Spanish Steps?

Well, this is the Spanish Steps.

Ooh! Prada!

Anyway, that sums up my trip to Rome & Pisa for this time around.

Destinaton: Rome - Part 3

Day 4
Date: 02 February 2011

I took the Hop On Hop Off Bus again today. I sat at the lower deck as the wind on the upper deck when the bus was moving was freezing the hell out of my ears.

Since I only had a 2 day ticket from the bus, I decided to drop by the ever famous Colloseum. Ticket was €12. This is including of entrance to the Colloseum, Palatino and Roma Forum. The queue for the tickets was very short. I hear that during summer, the queue will be about 1-2hour long!

First thing that came into my mind was, it wasn't that big. Maybe it's the same size as a normal stadium? I don't know. I guess I had high hopes for it to be like 3 times bigger than the usual stadium.

Nevertheless, it's quite an amazing site. I've never seen anything so old before. But I bet it looked good before it became a ruin. How come the movie Jumper made the collosuem looked so different? Movie tricks I bet.

I was on Level 1 (sorry had to name each levels as we are allowed to go up to Level 3) when I took the picture above. Nothing much, just circled around the level. It's just lots of bricks and moss everywhere.

Then I saw the stairs. I read it's where all the spectators walk up to their seats. The history said that, the higher their seats are, the lower of their status are. The VIP always have their seats at Level 1. Or I might be wrong. I heard it from another tour guide that was walking in front of me.

I had to climb this huge-ass stairs up to Level 2. They have an elevator but it's only for disabled people. Luckily it's not as high up as Arc De Triomphe in Paris. It was really a big climb - maybe 5 stories up?

The view from the balcony on Level 2. I suspect Arc De Triomphe had the design copied from this arch. Haha! Gotcha!

And this is part of the Palatino or is it Roma Forum. I can't differentiate both.

This is the view I wanted to capture. Looks creepy huh? LOL I wonder what happens down there.

The tour in the Colloseum took about 1.5hours. Crazy right!?! Anyway, after that I walked to the Palatino thinking 'Hrm, what will I find here?'.

Such a nice walk with trees all around and with a huge pavement to walk on.

I love the little flowers growing in between the grass!

More ruins....

 

I walked another few minutes and finally I reached the Forums. Not much were left though. Probably around 30%. 

OMG, more ruins.

It was the end of The Forums. I had to walk all the way back to the Colloseum's entrance to catch the bus.

The next stop was Vatican City. This is St Peter's Basilica. It's huge!! I dropped by one of the cafe for lunch. I ordered 2 salads and tea. It was €20+. So expensive! I guess the cafe was targetting tourists! Anyway, I didn't care much when I paid because I was starving. The portion was too much though. Should've gotten only 1 salad.

I was sitting at the side by one of the columns for people watching and of course, at the same time admiring the building's structure. It seems like it might be made of marble. Everything seems to be made of marble here.

Cobblestones.

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!