http://www.sailblogs.com/member/meander Our adventures on the high seas and other places Copyright 2009 SailBlogs.com Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:22:09 -0600 720 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:22:09 -0600 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss en support@sailblogs.com support@sailblogs.com http://www.sailblogs.com/images/sb_rss_icon.gif http://www.sailblogs.com/ 88 31 Weblogs for Sailors and Sailing http://www.sailblogs.com/member/meander?xjMsgID=76673 The rains were clearing and it was a good day to do some sightseeing. After our last escapade with Milo to the Colosseum, we took up Monica's offer that they mind Milo on Kyrah, a job the kids and father would love. So we headed off to the Vatican City. Caught the bus to the train station, then changing from the train to Linea B of the Metro, then changing again to Linea A for the Spagna (Spanish steps). We snacked on pizza on the way...great pizzas that are sold by the slice and by weight. We walked over the Bridge of Angels, the oldest bridge in Rome, and along the Tiber River to approach St Peter's down the Mussolini's road of pillars. The evidence of flood damage was apparent along the Tiber with plastic bags hanging fifteen or sixteen feet above sea level and wreckage in piles along the banks. Twisted steel posts were evidence of past structures that didn't survive the power of the flood. En route to St Peter's there were a lot of other things to see but we constrained ourselves and pressed on. A woman approached us at St Peter's and encouraged us to join the last tour of the day in English. 25 euros per adult plus the 14 euros entry to the museums. Sam was free on the tour but we paid 8 euros for his entry to the museum. Angelo was a great tour guide though he spoke really fast. Not very old and of Italio-American background he gave us a great rundown of things and spent a lot of time talking about Michelangelo's interactions with the Vatican and his early inspirations that lead to the frescos in the Sistine Chapel. When I last visited the Sistine Chapel, 27 years ago, it was being cleaned and a lot of it was covered. It took twice as long to clean it as it took Michelangelo to paint it but it looks as good as new. When we exited the museums into St Peter's it was around 5.30pm and dark and climbing the dome would have to wait for another day. Time to find the nearest metro station and head home to Milo. Rainy and cloudy but clearing later in the day Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:02:22 -0600 http://www.sailblogs.com/member/meander?xjMsgID=76673 http://www.sailblogs.com/member/meander?xjMsgID=76671 Well I thought I had the worst hangover in the history of the world despite having been quite constrained in the drinking department. Unlike our normal, beautiful calm days (pic) 'Meander' was rockin' and rollin' with the surge coming into the anchorage generated by considerable wind and swells outside. So, I wasn't sure whether I was also a bit seasick?? We'd also started the Liver Cleansing Diet and cut out the morning coffee, so that could have contributed. Ray drank more than I did and he wasn't crook at all. I watched a movie and then headed back to bed. Aches and pains through the body and constant dreadful headaches. Despite painkillers and sleeping all day it still hadn't let up and it's continued with a vengeance today. So, I gather it was a virus. High winds and surge Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:53:53 -0600 http://www.sailblogs.com/member/meander?xjMsgID=76671 http://www.sailblogs.com/member/meander?xjMsgID=76669 Our new friends on the Dutch boat 'Atlantis' hosted our New Year Party for 2009. Nout and Yolanda very kindly invited us and the crew from 'Kyrah' aboard for drinks and later fireworks. Yes, fireworks. They're for sale everywhere over here though they are apparently illegal. Ray found a terrific news article on the web about a woman in Naples who had taken up a petition signed by hundreds of Italian women that if Italian men chose fireworks this New Year's Eve, there'd be no sex!! All based on the fact that it's dangerous of course. Wonderful! As it turned out Sam found out first hand when one of the little crackers blew up in his hand as soon as he lit it. He's not keen on fireworks anymore. No damage but a lot of pain. The night on 'Atlantis' was lovely. We drank liquers, Glugg (the Norwegian version of mulled wine) and red wine of course. Along with cheese and smoked salmon. Ray and I have decided that we start the liver cleansing diet from tomorrow and I think it's about time. We heralded in the New Year with champagne and fireworks and it all ended abruptly when Sam's firecracker blew up so we headed back to 'Meander' for a good look and some first aid treatment. What a way to start 2009....but at least he wasn't badly hurt. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:47:40 -0600 http://www.sailblogs.com/member/meander?xjMsgID=76669