Hadrian's Temple - mysterious slash mark and incense sticks

Built by Emperor Antoninus Pius in 145 AD, 

the temple is dedicated to Emperor Hadrian, hence the name. There were originally 38 Corinthian columns but today only 11 from the North side have survived.

Pope Innocent XII commisioned Carlo Fontana to turn the building into a Papal Custom Office. That was in the 17th century. Today, it houses the Borsa Valori or the Rome Stock Exchange. 

If you look from this angle, it looks as if Goliath slashed the columns at a slanted angle , with a big sword.

Wild guess ,but it was probably caused by an earthquake.

Cuddle a cat at Largo di Torre Argentina

 Largo di Torre Argentina is also known as the place where Julius Caesar was assassinated

Bolivian Cholitas and Caporales at the Pantheon

Can you believe this ?

 What I saw with my own eyes in Rome ?

Cholitas and Caporales on parade. In front of the Pantheon . Yeah....This is really happening.

Pasta Imperiale - found without needing an internet connection

Found this pasta place with my smartphone, without needing an internet connection. All I did was switch on my location and go through Rome, the city I had pre downloaded before flying here, search the map for attractions and I was able to see the reviews even when off line 

Castel to Ponte Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant'Angelo went from Hadrian's mausoleum to Popes fortress to a museum/gallery today. 

Some visitors come at night hoping to hear or see something creepy. Obviously, that's what I'm never gonna 

 do.

A stroll through Borgo Pio

Did not want to go out the same way we went into the Vatican City.

Thus we went round the side and followed the crowds again. That's basically what led us to Borgo Pio, a small but interesting pedestrian lane filled with characters both tourist and local, plus some fiesty animals both on leash and unleashed.

L' Arena del Gelato - most fruits ever in a gelato

Ranked no.19 on Tripadvisor in the whole of Rome for gelato, it is located at a corner where Borgo Pio meets Via di Porta Castello

Cheap pizza place at Borgo Pio

Borgo Pio is yet another lovely pedestrian road , filled with numerous fancy cafes. 

When we stumbled across this pizza place, the inside was crammed with people . I approached a group of Indian tourists who were clutching a box of pizza , on how they found it.

" Delicious " said the 2 ladies

" it's just ok " was the man's reply 

Ah, divided opinions , well let's go inside and find out for ourselves what the fuss is all about.

Pizza Florida aka Pizzeria Florida

Pizzeria Florida is a family run restaurant that's been operating for generations. People trickle in from the moment the doors are open, for its mind boggling varieties of pizza al taglio , which is basically pizza sold by the weight and cut to order. We ate here every single day and I'll try to show you the varieties we had below. You may ask for a small order which is half the size of the regular portion.

As the dining area is really small, if you wanna eat in, you can either stand around or find a standing space outside the shop. Perfectly acceptable. 

Gelateria Corona Artigianale

After visiting 3 piazzas in one night, we started hunting for food. As luck would have it, we stumbled upon one of the best places for famous Italian gelato in one of the most unassuming areas in town.

After you eat here, everything else you've been having back home becomes one big farce. This is the real deal.

See the man in there, he's a little reserved but he's ok, just not a man of many words 

Rome on foot in one night

Right in front of the Pantheon , lies the Piazza della Rotonda. 

The labyrinth of lanes and roads from here serve as network of shortcuts that lead you quickly to yet another wonderful people drawing piazza.

I can understand why the Mayor of Rome got so mad at the Brits . This part of Rome is so walkable and quite safe ! There are so many tourists even after dark, plus on most every tourist area, you can find some of the most approachable Polizia I've come across, you've almost got nothing to worry about. We took a slow and leisurely walk without map or guide, covered 3 piazzas including this, in one night with minimal effort.

At The Pantheon

Built by Hadrian in A.D.118, it started out as a temple dedicated to all the gods of pagan Rome. After Emperor Phocas gave it to Pope Boniface VIII in A.D. 608, it's been a church ever since. 

Best of all, we passed by this ancient building on a daily basis, as it lay just round the corner from our hotel .

Amazing amazing amazing.

5 Steps to outwit the pickpockets

To the pickpocket, you are a walking, living ATM machine . Always remember that they work in groups or pairs and they have a daily "sales" target or quota to meet, more so when controlled by a syndicate where they will be beaten if they don't.

The general perception is that they are gypsies, but they also could be that harmless old Robert Deniroish looking grandpa in sunglasses ( he kept tailing me at the Trevi ) , 

the Bangla lookout, totting a small battery operated walkie talkie ( they come in all shapes and colours! ), 

the hip young MGK copycat in hoodie ( he made a U turn and looked for the next victim on the next train ) , 

camera totting tourist or a busy executive in an expensive looking suit . 

They love to strike where there is a crowd so if you can't avoid brushing past a crowd, ALWAYS hold onto your valuables REAL TIGHT. 

Other than that, here are 5 extra steps you can either follow or improvise on ....

Our Roman abode

These were the set of keys provided by our hotel. One key is for the main door downstairs after 10p.m., the other for our room. The keychain itself is like a trinket stash filled with sweet sounding bells , wood and metal beads held together by twin coloured leather strings.

The ride into Rome from Fiumicino

Dug out his camera and these showed up.

Goodie , you can now take a step back in time and hitch a ride with Mr Transporter and us

Potential real life The Transporter

Spend that 45 €.

What you will get is an Italian driver in a suit , receiving you in the arrival hall of the aeroporto. 

He won't ask you " What took you so long ? " but will tactfully rephrase it as 

"Baggage problem Madam ? " 

He might not be as young nor look like

Zayn Malik, in fact he might resemble a teacher / headmaster but that's ok because he will...  

be business like in his approach, keep his Etna temper in check, won't leave a trail of B.O. in his wake, plus if your partner farts, he won't wind down the windows nor turn and give you a Flying Spaghetti Monster stare.

Follow that modern day gladiator taking me to my  chariot.....

Fiumicino aka Leonardo da Vinci Airport

My first time at Fiumicino Airport . Last time I came in via land from the direction of Monaco. 

Turkish Airbus 320-200

This picture is the closest I'll ever get , to pretend to be a sexy air stewardess or ravishing hair model. Fail lulz.

Reality check : Had to keep one hand on my flyaway hair plus I lost my favourite hairband in the process.

If you laugh , I will tickle you until you beg me for mercy.

Gate 302 - Atatürk Havalimani airport

When we first arrived here from KL , we had a shuttle waiting for us. The driver made me giggle because it seems at a certain point along the highway, they now have to keep to a 70 speed limit or risk a 500 lira fine. Such a funny guy. Maybe the Turkish highway patrol read my fast & furious blog post lol. 

Whatever.....