Secondo Giorno

Day two in Rome started slowly. We were still recovering from our very big first day. We decided that a perfect way to celebrate being in Italy would be to find ourselves the ingredients for a picnic. We vaguely remembered walking past a deli while trudging back to the hotel the previous evening, so retraced our steps.

And then we searched and searched and searched for a little green space to enjoy our feast. We eventually settled on a slightly dubious looking park (there may or may not have been a few homeless people camped out there amongst a few piles of junk), because our stomachs were growling.

Here's Tom's Tony Soprano impression.

Feeling much better, we started wandering around the city again. I couldn't resist stopping to enjoy this jewelry store's window display.

And then we finally found an Internet cafe, since we hadn't managed to get anywhere near the Internet in quite a few days. We'd become accustomed to wifi being free at most cafes in Turkey and Greece, so were quite surprised to find that this was definitely not the case in Italy. Of course we had to make the most of the time by trying out two more gelato flavours as well.

Tom amused himself by lining up his Italian coin collection, having finally accumulated one of everything.

Important tasks completed, we began wandering again.

These tiny little one-person three-wheel utility trucks are adorable. And they're everywhere! Apparently they're basically a motorbike with a shell and a tray.

We decided to try our hand at catching the Metro, and hopped out to see St Paul's Basillica. As we approached the church the bells were ringing.

This little girl was entranced by the noise. It was very cute.

We then hopped back on the Metro and headed back towards central Rome. We spent a bit of chill-out time here, at the old stadium.

Tom decided to use it properly.

As we moved on, I spotted these from outside a bakery window. Isn't that just incredible? You'll be proud to hear that I didn't sample any. Talk about will power!

The same shop had a very interesting chandelier. It got me thinking about my plans for our kitchen light back at home.

We passed a very Italian letterbox...

And were just about to walk straight past this fairly small, unassuming little church, when we realised there was a flautist inside playing beautiful music.

We slipped in and sat at the back and listened for a while, which was lovely.

Not far from the church we spotted this guy.

And this little temple.

And then we were nearly at the bridge to cross the river to the little suburb of Trastevere. The bridge is beautiful in the afternoon light.

After we crossed we spent a bit of time just wandering around, enjoying the less city-like feel of Trastevere.

Tom is amazed by the size of the energy-saving light bulbs here.

And couldn't help admiring the variety of vintage beer bottles outside this little place.

More free water!

We eventually settled on a cute little restaurant in a tiny square.

And we tried our first fried zucchini flowers (although they told us they were pumpkin flowers).

This is an in-vehicle GPS in Italy.

I have no idea what this pizza was called. It was interesting.

My choice was better.

This was one of the little lane ways near the restaurant. Isn't it just so European?

After dinner it was time to cross another bridge back into central Rome.

This is Tom doing squats at a street light. I honestly can't remember why. I think he was testing the weight in his backpack. Or working off all that pizza.

I loved the geometric patterns on this building.

And then we got to see the Roman Forum ruins by night.

And the Vittorio Emanuele II monument.

It's pretty spectacular all lit up.

Tom thinks he could be a pope. Or maybe it's a beggar.

Or Julius Caesar.

We were treated to a convoy of hot rods whizzing past us towards the Colosseum.

And then we spent some time photographing the Colosseum in all its glory at night time. But you'll have to wait to see those pictures.

To avoid the very long walk back to our hotel, we decided to hop on the Metro one last time, and rode on the neverending escalator.

And so ended our second night in Italy's capital.