Everyone was looking forward to our visit to the Colosseum - how could they not! Jeremy said it was worth the selfie alone! It is pretty darn impressive to be standing in the biggest amphitheater of the Roman Empire! We had a reserved tour of the Underground and Third Ring. These are areas that have been recently (2011) opened to the public by tour only. It was definitely a highlight to go to the special access areas, like the arena floor and underground, and then up to the third level for some great views. The stairs down were quite steep and quite sloped - propelling you down. Perhaps that is how they were able to get 50,000 people out in 15 min - they were probably literally falling!
An exciting moment - we are walking inside the Colosseum, about to see the massive arena!
The arena where the legendary gladiator games took place!
View from the re-created stage floor of the arena
The underground labyrinth, from where exotic animals would be released to surprise and wow the audience
Up on the third ring
For our next adventure, Kate and Jeremy chose to stay home. Poor Chris was conflicted: he doesn't want to miss anything yet he also wants some down time. He joined us for lunch, gelato, and our "Whai Whai" tour - but he really needed his down time. First, he was quite concerned that we were eating at a "snack bar". He wanted FOOD not a snack ... He didn't know that all the casual lunch places here are generically called snack bars.
Whai Whai Guide: Rome the Ruyi
Then, he didn't know what this Whai Whai thing was? Essentially it is a game, like a historical scavenger hunt. First you buy the book, which is completely useless on its own - each page is literally cut into thirds and shuffled, and it is impossible to line them up. You need to text the game to begin. It texts you back with your first clue. You go to the location, and text the answer that you find. It really is a fantastic, ingenious concept, and Greg and I particularly enjoyed it. Even Chris admitted, "It's a nice way to sightsee and learn stuff." We have a game book for 3 more Italian cities: Florence, Venice and Milan.
Chris figured out how to drink from the nasoni - you plug up the downspout which creates a spurt of water to drink
Somehow the Whai Whai game took us past Giolitti gelato twice! The first time the line was out the door but the next time we could fit in. This experience was even better than yesterday. You could easily go every day for a month trying new flavor combinations. I found out I really need to go again so I can combine dark chocolate with strawberry - OMG!!
We are slow learners. This is our 3rd day in Italy. The first 2 days had afternoon thundershowers. Yet we still went out a 3rd day without rain gear. Maybe tomorrow we will be prepared.
The kids were craving pizza again today. Not the brightest decision to start out with the best pizza of the trip, but tonight's was pretty good. "How do they make their tomato sauce taste so good? I don't like tomato sauce, ever, " says Kate, in surprise.
Several times each day, we pass the same street cafes by our apartment, and each time the same hostesses ask us if we want a drink or food. Tonight the guy greets us by saying, "I know, you stay right here and have kitchen!" Finally!! However, none of the other cafes have figured it out, and keep inviting us in.
The Colosseum at dusk
Logistics
- I booked the Colosseum tour the day the summer tickets opened, which was April 18. It has always been you can only get them in person or by phone (they speak English) but that day it looked like internet bookings were available - except their server had crashed due to the overload.
- I bought my Colosseum tickets in advance so I could skip the line. There is still a line for security; I was 10th in line 30 minutes prior to opening. There are 2 distinct and clearly labeled lines - one for tickets and one for people who have reservations/Roma pass.
- We couldn't have played the Whai Whai game without our map app. If you don't have a really good map, then you will need the Internet to help you find the random streets and places.
