Training Log Archive: PG

Nice variety of things -- presidential palace, Trevi, some posh window shopping, a church at the P del Popolo where a funeral broke out in about 5 minutes just as we were leaving (the hearse arrived, flowers were carried in, then the coffin, then maybe 50-75 mourners were in, zip zip zip), an obelisk with hieroglyphics, the DaVinci museum, houseboats and scullers on the Tevere, a private luncheon, more palaces and castles, a distant view of the Vatican (as close as we needed to get), the gift shop for the underground stadium at P Navona, the Pantheon, S. Ignazio church (very fine), and a few more palaces. No guides, no itinerary, crowds not bad, weather was perfect. No complaints.

Best place for a selfie, in the DaVinci museum, a very small 8-sided room, just big enough for a couple of people, mirrors on all the walls --

C • An excellent day! 5

Day 1 in Rome, on our own. Meandered down to the Colosseum through a pleasant (ie. not crowded) area of small shops and eating spots. Then a lengthy wander through the ancient forum and adjoining areas, all interesting, before heading back to where we'd started by a slightly different route. All low-key, the way I like it.

Yup, in Rome --

Pompei. Most striking was the scope, covered a lot of ground. Otherwise a little less interesting than I had expected.

At the very beginning of the Amalfi Coast. Walked from Raito to Albori, then ventured first up one path that quickly became overgrown, then along another that was very interesting, connecting to structures on the far side of the ravine. Would have been happy exploring further.

In Siricusa, exploring the old town in the late morning and early afternoon, then the Greek theater and Roman ruins in the late afternoon.

The Archimedes fountain in Siracusa --

Up to the south slopes of Etna, with a short hike up to a small crater. A bunch a guys there who had biked up from Catania, that would have been fun (50 km, 5,800' climb), or at least going home would have been fun.

Late in the day walk around Taormina, best part was a solo excursion to the public gardens, otherwise too crowded.

On the rim of a small and very inactive crater. Top of Etna was maybe 4-5,000' higher, and letting off steam (considered to be a good thing) --

To Taormina (where the G7 meeting is in a couple of weeks). Walk down to the beach and back, gorgeous.

And there were these Chinese women offering a variety of massage services --