"Roman Capital of The World...." Rome by coceng

Rome Travel Guide: 13,939 reviews and 24,429 photos

KUALA LUMPUR<<<<<ROME>>>>>BOMARZO

ITALYTuesday 10th June 2003
Day 1...
My 3rd trip to Europe starts here in Rome. Arriving fromKuala Lumpur (my home country, Malaysia...) at about 6.10 am, on 10th June 2003, Tuesday... from Kuala Lumpur; it was a smooth flight, flying by MAS (Malaysian Airline). Saw Marina Mahathir ( our PM's daughter; What was she doing here, maybe a tourist like me, wonder is she would be going to Bomarzo ? Anyway, collecting my luggage, checked my passport, everything was smooth sailing as they say.
Feeling great being in Rome, had a smoke just outside the airport. Watching people if people noticed me. Finding my way around the airport & caught the regional train to Termini Station. On the train, looking out the windows, the scenarios reminded me of my own coutry. The ruralness, the bushes, roads, hills...& grafittis, maybe political (well, we don't have so much political grafittis here, maybe some vulgar words here & there).
Arriving in Termini about 7 am. Too early to check in to my hotel in Piazza Bologna. So, I decided to walk & explore Rome on foot, while carrying my luggage, one bag pack on my back..the other is bigger, trolley-like; dragging my way to reach the hotel by walking.
Walked past Old walls. Roman walls, yes ?....took photos....click! click! I am in Rome.
Realised that the weather was kinda hot & kept on walking & it got hotter & hotter. Feeling kinda weird. "Is this normal?...." Well, of course it was, it was in summer, right ?
Good seeing the Romans in their everyday life, in their everyday clothes, in their everyday behaviours; catching buses; crossing the streets. Bliss.
Asking for my directions every 10 minutes or so. A guy suggested me to take the bus to reach Piazza Bologna. I just smiled & said "..I prefer to walk..." Although he walked with me for a few minutes, maybe wanted to feel what it's like to be a tourist in his own city. Maybe.
Found the hotel about 9.30 am, couldn't checked in not until about 12 or 1 pm...The grumpy old man said sternly to me although trying to be polite at the same time, good actor this old man. Left the luggage & decided to do some serious explorations in Rome, 3 to 4 hours before I checked in.
Took the Metro....& came to the Spanish Steps.....many people, sitting on the steps....The sun was shining brightly.....People carrying water bottles....& drank at any time they had the chance....Tap water?.... it was cold....not the taste....but 'safe to drink' are the word!
Looking at my guidebook....maybe I could reach Tivoli Fountain as well?...Found it, feeling good again.....many tourists....
Rome doesn't look a modern city....but the Roman ruins are just everywhere! Almost at any turn....
Feeling good taking the metros....had the ideas where to hop in & where to hop off.....Went back to the hotel, & checked in....
Unpacked....& took shower....rested for a while...watching some Italian TVs...music videos....Skin (Skunk Anansie singer..) just released her new solo album...thought it was bland....I prefer her to shout her lung out loud!...
Went out again....bought a phone card & had to elarn how to use it..& started calling some people around Italy, telling them about me in Rome & would be seeing them one by one....
At 4 pm...went out again...taking the metro...reaching the Coleseum...impressive!....Had a good hour going inside the Coleseum...taking photos....It was hot!....I started to sweat....thought it was normal....(it was not actually...)...
Walked to the Palatine Hill....a vast place!...Explored....;Gurgling the tap water at every turn....Took lots of photos....Didn't care what it was called...Photos to impress myself, for my next generations....

Day 2...

Next destination : Bomarzo

A MUST SEE...

Pros and Cons

Pros:Roman Ruins Are Everywhere ! I Love That Very Much !
Cons:The Weather Sometimes Could Be A Daunting Experience !
In a nutshell:Go To Rome Once In A Lifetime !

Last visit to Rome: Jun 2003
Intro Updated Feb 10, 2005
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Comments (3)

gilabrand Mar 17, 2010 at 2:03 AM Report Abuse

How did you manage to take a photo of Trevi fountain with no people around? We couldn't even get near, it was so packed...
dragontml Jan 12, 2004 at 12:28 AM Report Abuse

when will i go to rome ? great pics and story, arnaud.
syllybabe Aug 16, 2003 at 6:08 AM Report Abuse

You're absolutely right...I remember places bec. of the people and the sights and sounds but I can hardly remember the smallest details. Rome is beautiful, isn't it? :-)