Basilica s. Mariae Transpadina (former church, 1564 demolished)

The day started off fairly leisurely today. Decided to do the HOHO bus again as it’s so good to just sit and look while the heat of the day pounds down on us.
Purchased the tickets online and then went down to the kiosk not far from our building to get the ‘real ticket’…. no you get those on the buses!
So find somewhere to eat, €10 eggs (scrambled or omelete) ham and slice of cheese with little vegetable (lettuce and tom), with orange juice and a coffee. Not bad considering the price.
Off we trot to the closest pick up point and off we go. Rome does not fail to blow your mind. the intricate carvings, statues and buildings are certainly amazing. The traffic and number of tourists? are unbelievable. Hustle and bustle everywhere.
Saw all the major tourist attractions from the bus, and decided after going around the circuit once, that I would alight the bus at the Colessuem and the girls would do their thing.

We got off at a stop closest to where we got on and found somewhere with a toilet and aircon cos it was now 34 deg… ordered our lunch (I had the caprese salad) and then watched the ‘manager’ continuously berate the waiter. And I mean constantly (we thought he was new - a small Indian man) God it was awful and he had a loud obnoxious tone. Anyway we got our lunches and a lot of muttering about ‘bullying’ was had. At the end Beth got up to pay the bill and said to the little guy, “you are doing a good job” and then chatted about where we are from - he said “good cricket team”. Nice little fellow. As we went to leave Beth said to him “Good Luck” and the ‘manager’ came over and loudly asked, why you say good luck to him’ so Beth told him why. You are rude and a bully, I also chimed in with a ‘rude’ as I left. Well did he bellow. Lots of ranting and raving…we headed to the jeweller next door to get away and Kelly tried to calm him down with her quiet voice trick…nup he wasn’t having a bar of it. Apparently the little guy is a liar, he said he was experienced, today was his first day blah blah blah. FM! anyhow he decided it was me who was the culprit and still followed us up the street going on and on and wagging his finger in my face. I wanted to tell him to FO but decided the situation wasn’t getting any better LOL so just kept walking.

Anyway the girls went one way and I went back to find the bus. Off I go around the whole bloody way again, it is searingly hot, and got off at the Colosseum, hook or by crook I was going to see it, have admired it most of my life…around the whole thing I walked looking for a ticket place (and it is now 3.30) asked a guide but he said join a tour at 4.30, I replied I just wanted to walk around myself and he said no tickets left for this month!!!!! So that was that. I had tried to buy online before we left but couldn’t get any…now I know why. Didnt want to do a tour so late and wouldn’t be finished till 6pm.
So back to the bus stop I go, get off close to home and wouldn’t you know it I walk past the same bloody restaurant and he is in the doorway! pulled my hat down low and kept walking 😵‍💫.
Got back just as the others did too and then rested till we were off to an irish pub to watch the All Blacks. Great pub, cannelloni was delicious for me, lasagne great for Susie and Kelly and beth had nachos. Still very hot though. Few other Kiwis showed up and an aussie and fijian to watch the game. Great young people who loved to chat with the old girls. awesome day and night. Tomorrow Beth and I are off to see the Vatican and yes, we are booked on a tour!! YAYRead more