Chekantastic : 01/08/2011

It was my second time visiting Rome; however it was the first time for my parents. The only comment from my parents towards the city – 热，人多，车多 (hot, crowded, crazy traffic)

We were boarding the late afternoon flight to Rome from London Gatwick. We were at first trapped in the motor way to Gatwick, I was pretty nervous at first, but we managed to check in on time.

We were arriving at 8ish at Rome Fiumnicino airport. Dad’s comment ‘huh, they are taking us to the arrival hall with bus! An Neh Lao Yeah (means old fashion in Hokkien)’. Oh dad, what do you expect?

Then we spent for another hour queuing for the immigration check.. and here came the heat…. The airport air conditioning was … hmmm… a bit low…

Of course, once we passed through the immigration check and collected our luggage, we first thought to take train to Roma Termini station. After about 20 minutes walk, oh dear, there was no one at the ticket counter, and apparently the ticket machine didn’t really work on my favour. Eventually we had decided to take a taxi. In fact, we asked the price for a shuttle bus in the airport, they wanted 60 euro for three people. However, they kept us waiting for ages, the reason was they haven’t got enough people for the shuttle mini bus. I was trying to sort out a taxi afterwards, then I was sort of like being ‘warned’ by someone else not to do so. I told them I have to check in to the hotel before 11pm or else there will be no reception and we had no place to stay. Then the man just arranged a ‘private’ car for us..also, they charged 75 euro for three people. Oh well, what choice do I have that time. We hopped on the private car..then I defo felt like I was in a crazy cabbie.. No rules on the street, the driver even drove through a red light, driving with no speed limit…oh dear lord, plus it was pretty late that time… After 40 minutes, we arrived at the hotel. It was actually my mistake for giving a wrong note to the driver, I was giving him 2 x 20 euro notes, thought one of the note is 50 euro. he stared and me and not sure whether he was swearing at me in Italian language, I apologised and my dad quickly patted on his shoulder. A lesson learnt, if you are planning to take cab, I will suggest you to pre book it. Or else you will just get slashed! I felt a bit bullied really…by Italian mafia…. Anyway, we safely checked-in Sunrise Hotel at 10ish. Read my review to the hotel here.

We spent three days two nights in Rome. As I had been to the city before, so most of the time I was resting while waiting my parents looking around the sights. My parents were struggling a bit on the first day, due to the heat. Although we are from Malaysia, a tropical country, still the heat in Rome during summer is far away too hot for my parents..it was about 35-40 degree every day. My dad was once telling me – I am ‘hin gong’ (means feeling dizzy due to the heat). Therefore, I need to find place for them to sit and rest after an hour walk or so. Also, water is the key thing. We had 3-4 water bottles with us to take tap water. For this reason, I had decided to put them on the hop on hop off bus, to lessen the time walking. Still it was hot on the bus. At least, they wouldn’t feel tired.

On the first day, we went to see Trevi Fountain. I didn’t make any wish this time coz my last wish never come true. But my parents did..haha

A funny footage that my parents made their wish in Trevi Foutain

After that, I brought them to see The Pantheon.

Then of course the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, a must see in Rome! The BC architecture was amazing. Also, mom was wondering why most of the sculptures are naked…oh dear mom… I donno lar….

My parents took this old lady picture in the Roman Forum. This 80 plus years old lady told my parents that she walked her cat here every day. Only then, my parents stopped saying they are old and couldn’t walk much. Come on, they are only in their mid-fifties.

To close day one, we went to dine in a snack bar near the termini station. Apart from meeting a very nice Philippine waitress, the food was just ok-ish.

Then I closed my day with a snoring orchestra…lol…if you smart enough to understand what I mean..

Day two.. we first started in taking the hop on hop off bus from Roma Termini station. It was hot still, so we decided to buy hats. A tip for all, don’t spend more than 5 euro per hat. We managed to bargain 3 hats for 14 euro.

Look at the crazy traffic in the city of Rome

We spent the whole day in the Vatican City and St Peter’s Basilica. Oh yeah, and the Vatican Museum.

I love this picture a lot…looking at my cute parents walking in St Peter’s square..

Also, you can find beggars all over the street in Rome. So am acting as one.. lol… my dad was actually suggesting to wrap me up with blanket, so he can bring me begging…grrrr….DAD!!!

We left the Vatican City in mid afternoon, heading to Spanish Steps. We bought some souveniers ie key chains and fridge magnet…well, the retailer claimed that those were all MADE IN ITALY. A tip to all, try to bargain 5 for 10 euro, and not more than that…and we got five. But I lost it in the hop on hop off bus :(

Lastly, we dine in a restaurant; about 10 min walk from Roma Termini station. One thing I had to say, we went in just because the waitress was being very polite.. I was having Cabonara as usual, as pizza is not really my thing. My dad and mom will usually order a pizza and share between them : ) Dad and Mom had been ‘working hard’ to spend less..lol.. We met three Malaysians in that restaurant, and happened that they just sat next to us. Good dinner with good accompanies.

Another tip about eating out in Rome, usually the main like spaghetti and pizza in an average restaurant will cost around 7-10 euro.

It is very funny that my mom reveals this to me recently. The reason why dad was taking pictures when I wasn’t with them, just to prove me that he and my mom looked into the sights thoroughly…or else I will be angry…lol…

Another funny one from dad in the bus

All and all, we have enjoyed our visit to Rome. The sights are awesome. Perhaps it is the culture different or the Italian language itself, you may find the Italians are a bit absurd. If you can’t really cope with the heat, you may want to consider visiting the country maybe during autumn or spring.

Click here for more pictures.

After not seeing my parents for more than 1.5 years, finally they arrived on the 6th July 11. I was excited that day. I could the smile on my face all day. After packing my stuff, as we were going to stay at my Uncle Seng’s for a week before we started our holiday on the 10th at Rome, I took Rail Air to the airport.

My parent’s flight was expected to land at 1615. I managed to arrive at 1515. I took a look on the arrival board. Wow! The MH004 would be landed early at 1530. I couldn’t be happier than that. I squeezed into the arrival corridor and kept looking at the arrival gate!

Ta la! After waiting for more than an hour, my eye got tired as I kept staring at the arrival gate, finally I met with them. I jumped in and gave them the biggest hug and kiss ever! According to my parent, this was due to the long wait at the immigration counters.

As my parents were still in jet lag, therefore I had decided not to tour them too much during their stay in UK.

Also, my cutie cute mom broke her glasses on the plane. So our first mission was to get mom a new pair of glasses.. Haha! I had to keep reminding them, the shop will only make you glasses if you have the prescription or you have to take an eye test that is not free, as my parents thought the totally opposite. In Malaysia, we will have free eye test and the opticians don’t usually provide you the official prescription. I and dad were having a bit of fun looking at mom taking her eye test. Mom can speak English however she wasn’t used to the British ascent. However, I would like her to pick up the language. Therefore, I only offer my help when needed. Lol.

And of course taking my two wonderful cuties to their favourite roasted duck rice restaurant

We did a bit shopping and walking around London.

My dad’s best bit, sitting at the bus stop while waiting me and my mom finishing the shopping. Lol

And this one, absolutely amazing. He hardly read and write English, but he was reading English Newspaper. Lol! Was he reading or just looking at the pictures? Sorry dad…haha!

I also took them to Oxford by train. By the look of this picture, you can imagine they were still on jet lag that time :)

Oxford was pretty that day. We hardly squeezed into the high street fast food chain. Eventually we had a brilliant idea, which was getting the £3pp meal deal at Saintsbury. I guess this was the first time my parents experiencing having ‘lunch’ on the street