After the Vatican Museums, we headed to a nearby Tripadvisor-recommended gelateria - Hedera Gelateria (#14 ranking). I was in definite need of some great gelato to calm my nerves.
And... it was kind of just okay. Especially when compared with Wonderful Ice Cream gelateria near our hotel.
Castel Sant'Angelo viewed from the Ponte Sant'Angelo
The bridge was also known as Pons Aelius ("Hadrian's Bridge"). It shouldn't be too surprising since Castel Sant'Angelo used to be Hadrian's mausoleum.
The touch of Hadrian is everywhere in Rome.
Another surprise encounter. I took a photo because the building looked interesting but was obviously not a museum. After searching on the internet, the colonnade and wall are what remains of Hadrian's Temple (Hadrian again!).
It is now part of a building occupied by a bank.
While I would feel infinitely better if the building was occupied by say, the cultural ministry of Italy, at least the bank will have enough money for maintenance and restorations.
Sad but true.
Trevi Fountain
Sadly, the fountain was in the midst of major restorations during our time in Rome, and will remain so until end of the year.
An elevated walkway has been erected so visitors got the rare opportunity to see some of the fountain statues up close.
Even though the basin has been drained of water, people still threw coins in, completely undeterred by the signs asking them not to do so. I sympathize with the workers. It can't be fun being hit by tiny metal objects, even if it is money.
And... it was kind of just okay. Especially when compared with Wonderful Ice Cream gelateria near our hotel.
Castel Sant'Angelo viewed from the Ponte Sant'AngeloThe bridge was also known as Pons Aelius ("Hadrian's Bridge"). It shouldn't be too surprising since Castel Sant'Angelo used to be Hadrian's mausoleum.
The touch of Hadrian is everywhere in Rome.
Always fun to stroll the streets of Rome.
A lot more gelaterias and Murano glass shops than before but still charming (and will remain so as long as they keep the old Italian men smoking and chatting on corners. Hire actors if necessary). I do miss seeing laundry hanging between the buildings.
Piazza Navona
A film crew passed by while we were sitting near the Fontana del Moro. So if you see a documentary/travel show on Rome with a handsome Spanish/Portuguese host, keep an eye out for me in the background.
This is what happens when you try to juggle a notebook, camera, tablet, and sunglasses, especially if you've never demonstrated any juggling ability in the past. Thankfully the lens didn't fall too far away and popped back in with relative ease.
The coffered dome ceiling of the Pantheon never ceases to amaze and astound.
Something I missed the last time - The Tomb of Raphael
Another surprise encounter. I took a photo because the building looked interesting but was obviously not a museum. After searching on the internet, the colonnade and wall are what remains of Hadrian's Temple (Hadrian again!).It is now part of a building occupied by a bank.
While I would feel infinitely better if the building was occupied by say, the cultural ministry of Italy, at least the bank will have enough money for maintenance and restorations.
Sad but true.
Trevi Fountain
Sadly, the fountain was in the midst of major restorations during our time in Rome, and will remain so until end of the year.
An elevated walkway has been erected so visitors got the rare opportunity to see some of the fountain statues up close.
Even though the basin has been drained of water, people still threw coins in, completely undeterred by the signs asking them not to do so. I sympathize with the workers. It can't be fun being hit by tiny metal objects, even if it is money.
Passed by this pair of statues/fountains at an intersection on our way back to the hotel. The details of the foliage... just incredible.
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