She was in Rome

Finally. Two cliches hold true:
i) All roads lead to Rome; yea, at least my journey did, haha.
ii) Rome was not built in one day; dear Lord it is MASSIVE, I really regretted not realising how huge it was, could have spent more time here.

I love-hate Rome. I cannot bear the crazy traffic of cars and people. But I absolutely love its history, and so many of its sights and stories. The Romans were genius la okay. It's a place I definitely want to go back one day, and let's hope that the cliche about throwing coin into the Trevi fountain holds true ;)

Transportation:
Metro, bus and legs. For my short trip, the metro and my legs were sufficient. Note that Rome is different from all previous cities because while some of its attractions are within walking distance, a lot are not, and neither are they near the limited metro stations (there's only 2 metro lines). Buses would be an awesome means of transportation though I did not try them, my friend and some dorm mates mentioned that it is quite reliable aside from its timing - that's probably due to the crazy jam.

Base/Hostel: Pop Inn Hostel
Location: 5/5
Environment: 3/5
Dorm: 2.5/5
Its location is a win, champion even above Venice - literally across the street from the main Termini station which was essential because I had an early flight the next day. And because most of the places I want to go to are near metro stations, it was nice to have it just outside your door step. Unfortunately it also means its really noisy though food is really easy to find. Out of all the hostels, I think this one gave me the biggest sleeping difficulty because there was only a thin white sheet as blankets and the bed was basic. Thankfully shower was okay.

Day 1
Evening arrival to Rome
Vittorio Emanuele Elevator
Walking around

When hit with the realisation that Rome is too freaking huge, I was literally rushing. Reached the Termini station, plopped my bags and rushed to the Vittorio Emanuele Elevator which is basically a viewpoint atop a museum. Wanted to make it before it closed and sunset. It was difficult to concentrate on my run there because there were so many sights along the way. The Vittorio Emanuele museum was near the Colosseum and the Roman Forums, setting my eyes on these for the first time really left me in awe. I made it in time, and it was a lovely view, manage to catch my breath and enjoy the beauty of Rome. Got my first aerial view of the jam-packed roads of Rome, and decide that I should not risk the bus where possible.
After that, it was mainly just walking around and taking in the sights of such a wonderful place

View from Vittorio Emanuele

Day 2
Basilica San Pietro/ St Peter's Basilica
Vatican City Museum
Pantheon
Piazza Navona
Trevi Fountain

I was really excited for the 2nd day, heck, I was really excited about my Rome stop because there were some places I have dreamt of seeing my whole entire life - let you know later. Rise and shine to the excited thought of going to the Vatican City, much influence from the Dan Brown books. I took the metro as it stops directly on the road leading down to the Vatican City, and I was in awe when I first set my eyes on the Basilica San Pietro; SO GORGEOUS. I went really early so there was no line (which will be long because of security checks) and it was not packed in the basilica so I could ooh and ahh all I want. Took my time taking photos and enjoying the amazing work by Gian Lorenzo Bernini - one of the most amazing artist of his time. I finished my really slow walk in about an hour, then I decided to take a guided tour, which was probably one of the most genius decisions I made throughout my trip. The stories I learnt, gave so much more meaning to this place. IF you don't want to pay for a guided tour, please get a guide book, it will be so worth it. The climb I did in Rome was the dome/cupola of St Peter's Basilica. At 551 steps, it was the highest of all my climbs, and it was an interesting one because there were many different parts with different looking staircases as opposed to a straight on 551 steps up the dome. VERY WORTH IT.

St Peter's Basilica, this does not come even close to portraying its beauty

View from the Dome, a worthy climb

The funniest thing that happened was while waiting for the guided tour to start, I decided to look for the entrance to the crypts. And as a testament to my horrible orienteering skills, I ended up in a restricted area and the guard was not happy. He slammed the door behind me, didn't even bother to accept my apology.

After the tour, I had a really quick lunch and went on to the Vatican Museum. I did not enjoy it. I loved the museum, but it was RIDICULOUSLY packed with people it felt like a sardine can. There was no way you can enjoy one exhibit without being squished by hoards of tour groups (which would mean getting a tour would probably be a smarter idea). The collection in the museum was amazing, humongous and more varied than Uffizi as it focuses on exhibits from other countries such as Egypt. All I wanted to do was reach the Sistine Chapel, and the only way to get there is to go through all the exhibition rooms, and the crowds.

When I finally reached the Sistine Chapel, it was like woah. I rented an audioguide because I wanted to understand the stories behind the art in this chapel. I probably did not appreciate the meaning as deep as people of the Catholic faith, but the Last Judgment by Michelangelo was gorgeous. And despite guards trying to ask everyone to keep quiet and not take photos, I was not going to repeat my Uffizi Gallery mistake, I am going to take a photo of the Last Judgment, and I did.

The Last Judgment by Michelangelo; broke rules for this, ignore the bad photo angle, had to be as discreet as possible

Stood in the Sistine Chapel for a good 45 minutes before bidding the Vatican goodbye, and I really feel that I should return, armed with more knowledge for a better appreciation.

Headed back into the city and detoured to the Pantheon. Which is rather bare compared to the other attractions. Especially since one of the Pope commanded for all the bronze from the Pantheon's roof to be stripped off for the columns in St Peter's Basilica.

Bare Pantheon roof

Then I visited Piazza Navona where there are tons of street artists and cafes. Basically it was chilling and enjoying a delicious (albeit expensive) chocolate truffle and taking in the streets of Rome.

Bernini's Fountain of 4 rivers (Fontana dei Quattro), in Piazza Navona

Nipped of to Trevi fountain before I left for my hostel; and for the first time in my journey, I felt so much awe, and gratitude, I teared. I've always wanted to see the Trevi fountain, always wanted to travel Europe, and it finally hit me, I am actually here. It was such an amazing realisation, I felt so incredibly blessed.

Please go see this for yourself, it's amazing. Trevi Fountain.

I also broke one of my principles of the journey, and ended up having Asian food - ala carte Japanese buffet. Being someone who is less fond of carbs (except Asian noodles and potatoes), the pasta was getting into me, and I did not feel like having sandwich. The buffet was just 5 doors down from my hostel and might I say, it's probably one of the most empowering experience I've ever felt in my life - going alone to a restaurant in Rome and ordering all the food I can stuff myself with; perhaps this was the empowerment advocated by those who encourage people to go to movies alone. It was really a great experience, despite my broken rule. I seem to be breaking rules in Rome eh?

One of the many orders I put in; 20 pieces of salmon sashimi was my record

Day 3
Borghese Gallery
Colosseum
Palatine Hill + Roman Forum
Pantheon
Spanish Steps
Trevi Fountain

The 3rd day is the most exciting because of Borghese (bor-geh-zay) Gallery; I loved the park surrounding the villa which was so peaceful on an early Sunday morning. If I wasn't in my maxi skirt, I would have rented one of them lovely bicycles for a ride around the park. My excitement is reinforced by the fact that it was the only attraction ticket I booked way before I started the trip; most of my bookings only involve transportation.
Why? Because the sculpture of my favourite myth in the world is in this museum - the Apollo and Daphne by Bernini ( I LOVE THIS DUDE). There is a same sculpture of different interpretation in the UK's V&A Museum, but now I'm going to see the real thing, the one thing I've waited to see all my trip, can you imagine the excitement? Villa Borghese has to be one of the prettiest museums, only 360 people are allowed at any one time, and you are only allowed two hours inside. The art collection was amazing, I can't recall some of the paintings but they were really famous. What I focused on was two exhibits, the Apollo & Daphne and Bernini's interpretation of David. Unlike the usual standing David, this David was portrayed as he was in action to kill the Goliath. I'm not a maestro of art, but the details were AMAZING.
Of course, I stood a good 20 minutes around Apollo & Daphne examining every single detail, and really, Bernini is amazing with details. He also created an unfinished sculpture known as "Truth Unveiled By Time" and it was his silent cry of retaliation during one of the darkest moment of his artist history when the new Pope did not believe in his talent and refused to acknowledge his work. Before I left the museum, I bid my favourite sculpture goodbye, and relinquish in gratitude for another dream come true. Unfortunately, this collection does not allow photos as well, but the sculptures were amazing.

Borghese Gallery

Moving on, I headed to the Colosseum, and the line's crazy! Which is why I paid for a guided tour of the Colosseum + Palatine Hill + Roman Forums; expensive but worth it in its own way especially for the Colosseum. Again, get a guidebook if you prefer to save time. Stories of the Colosseum left me in awe. No it was not a place to kill your enemies or your mates, but it was a stage, an entertainment stage and the way it was produced is exactly like how it was today but created with the technology of then days. SALUTE. The Romans were absolute genius. Heck, they were so good with safety regulations. Remember how there are lions battling with gladiators? Well, that part is true, but we gotta make sure people around there don't get eaten right, so how? Hrm, what about keeping the animal in total darkness 72 hours prior to battle, then suddenly expose them to bright light during battle? Tadaa, blind animal! I'm not advocating animal cruelty, but that is a bloody smart way to ensure maximum safety yet still get people to buy the idea that this gladiator is really slaying a more powerful beast. Of course, there are plenty of other stories as testament to the Romans' smartness.

The Palatine Hill was the ruin of a crazy huge palace. As a matter of fact, everything built then was crazy huge it made me wonder if the people were actually bigger. The columns were all larger than life it's difficult to imagine what it took to build and sustain the architecture - genius! Roman Forums was lovely to explore, save for the blazing hot sun, which made it difficult to look around, but definitely worth a go.

Hanging gardens from the ruins of Palatine Palace

Part of the ruins of the Roman Forum, which used to be an important downtown marketplace

When I finally made it out of the Roman Forums, I was off to Piazza di Spagna for the famous Spanish steps. Though like the Trevi fountain, it was choke full of people rather than the attraction itself, but it was still gorgeous. Enjoyed my sights, and headed on to Trevi Fountain one last time. Managed to squish myself a space in front of the fountain, threw a coin and made a wish. I'll let you know when my wish comes true ;)

Look at amount of non-Spanish people on the Spanish Steps! =P 

Threw a coin, Goodbye Rome!

Left Rome, and my Europe journey early next morning, after a good breakfast of the best caffe latte I had so far, and a pain au chocolat.

The perfect Italian breakfast, missing it now.

Do try:
I honestly want to say everything and more but well, if pressing for time:

-Visit the Vatican City, both the Basilica and Museum, get a guided tour, book whatsoever, I promise it will be worth it. Climb the cupola, without the elevator if you don't have health issue, FUN!

- Visit the Colosseum, and make sure you are equipped with knowledge as well, there is so much to learn from these Romans.

- Visit the Trevi Fountain, crowds or not. Because it really is as gorgeous as the books, movies, media portray. And did you know it was the last surviving ancient water pipes the Roman made from the mountains into the city; yes fountain waters are drinkable.

- Visit the Borghese Gallery, because the art is amazing, and well it's one of the best collection of Bernini who practically beautified Rome - he spent 8 years of his life creating the interior of St Peter's Basilica

Tips:
- Get a day pass for transport. I didn't check the Rome Card, which might be more worth it depending on the attractions you go for. But a day pass cost 6 euros and you can use all the metros and buses.

- Get a guided tour for the important places, the Colosseum, St Peter's Basilica etc. Although for the Colosseum, I thought mine was way too short, and I did hear of tours that take you to the underground level which is restricted for common tourists. So do your research! Another point to do research on, there are two crypts in the Basilica, one open to everyone (which I couldn't find anyway), the other is the one featured in Dan Brown's Angels & Demons which you have to write in to the Vatican for permission. There is a procedure for it, and you just have to google, I'm not sure about the chances of definitely getting in though.

- Book tickets for busy places like Vatican City and Borghese Gallery, especially when they have time slots and/or limited number per entry. Like the Borghese Gallery, on the Sunday I went, all tickets were sold out till Tuesday.

- GO EARLY. Rome is infamous for crowds. When I got into the Basilica the 2nd time for my guided tour, which was about 45 minutes from when I first went in, it was beginning to be so packed because of the tour groups. And the line outside the basilica stretched around its perimeter, not fun. Same with Vatican museum, I thought my 12pm slot was bad, the afternoon slots were even worse!

- If not rushing for time, I would suggest either spending a whole entire day in Vatican, and seriously taking your time or breaking up visits to the St Peter's Basilica and Vatican Museum into two mornings. In my opinion, this helps deal with the information overload from so much of history in these places and help appreciate the stories even more. Otherwise the crowd really makes it difficult to enjoy, especially when you cannot take crowding like me.