Bangkok

Last day in Rome and in Europe

An early start to get the Vatican to get the good spots. Found the window where he was going to speak from and parked our bottoms on the ground and waited. The ambience of the square was buzzing and right in front of us was a bunch of nuns from South America. It was great watching the excitement build. They were clapping and singing.. Olay Olay.... 11.45 and the shutters opened to a huge roar from the crowd. The whole of St. Peter's square was packed and we were at the front. 12.00 on the dot pope Francis arrived and spoke in roman and then in Italian. He blessed the crowd and it was all over in 15 min but well worth it. 12.15 the heavens opened and it rained as 50,000 people were trying to exit the square.

The rest of the day was spent with packing and relaxing in the massage chair. Thailand tomorrow...

Needed one of these...

Rome

Another sleepless night so we have packed up and moved over to the Vatican.

New hotel and room the size of a postage stamp is just around the road from Vatican City. Seems nice enough and quiet.

We had a good look around this morning and wandered along the Trevere river to the castle Sant Angelo fortress a very impressive structure that various popes used to hide from their enemies in. When we arrived there was a parade being organized of different horses and horsemen there were people and tv cameras everywhere. I think every policeman had turned out for it.behind the parade were 3 road sweepers that swept up the horse poo.

The procession stopped at yet another beautiful building and we were wandering around for a while befor we realised we were in St. Peter's sq at the Vatican. We still don't know what the parade was for people just said a celebration.

I had been looking for a post office for days and there was a mobile Vatican post... Perfect.

Piza and Siena

Hi guys I hope you are enjoying your holidays. I am now in Rome which is our last stop in Europe.

The colleseum was built in 80ad and it used to be used for games and gladiator fights.

The leaning tower of Piza

Siena

Cinque terre

This is five towns on the west coast of Italy.

Amelia I am.in Venice

The beautiful island of Venice with the water streets and no cars. I love it here.

The Main Street 

A street

Our hotel

My cruise

I have had a great time on my cruise. We havn't had very good internet so I have not blogged that much. Tomorrow we are off the boat and don't know where to next. Maybe Venice. I hope you all had a good Christmas.

Budapest

Bratslava

Danube river

Melk Abby

3 countries in 1 day

Today began at 3.30am after a great sleep. A taxi to the airport, a quick coffe and we were off to Linz in Austria. As we got into the high country of Austria there was snow on the ground! not fresh but snow all the same. An hour at Linz for some pastries and then we were on our next train to Passau. everything ran smoothly and we were picked up at the train station and delivered to our boat the Amaedus brilliant. Over 100 passengers on board and only 17 speak English and probably that many again are under 70 lol. That's ok we are here to relax and we have a lovely room and nice Austrian wine to drink. 

At our welcome drink this evening we had a beautiful sunset. We have tea at 7.30 at table 17. The odds of being able to speak their language is pretty slim.

Prague

I have a lovely few days in Prague. It has been cold but still no snow :(

The castle was beautiful. The streets are all cobbled. I had a fish pedicure where the fish eat the skin on your feet.