Day 29

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Did you know ba that in Cathay Pacific (IDK about other airlines) you can’t buy additional luggage allowance than what is allotted for you? Well, we didn’t. So we were feeling accomplished when we got to squeeze in all our things into 6 maletas by 10 am. Wheeeee tapos na tayo, pwede na mamasyal on our last day, I said in relief.

Then Kap had the forethought of calling the airline to buy seats ahead of time just to be sure. And good thing that he did. 1 day short of leaving Rome we found out WE CAN’T buy extra luggage allowance pala for the promo seats we bought. Patay kang bata ka. 3 hours of packing down the drain. We had to start all over again. Lahat ng mabibigat, hand-carry ang drama. So no choice, bili ng maliit na maleta at pack-up ng 2 giant foldable bags. @_@ I spoke too soon!

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Hirap na hirap at pighati talaga ang kalooban ni Kap na mag-iwan ng gamit! ;)) Hayan, nagawan pa rin nya ng paraang iuwi ang nakanganga na nyang sapatos! Ho-Hem-Gee!

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By 1 pm, we were confident enough that we will be allowed to check in our 4 overweight maletas & hand carry 4 small luggages on top of our overfilled backpacks. Crossing our fingers.. and toes! We already left 1 luggage-ful of old clothes & pantulog, sama ng loob ni Kap, mwahaha! Sana hindi na mabawasan pa, baka magpa-iwan na sya! ;P

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Panic mode a day before going home. Here’s our apartment, salamat at may elevator, small as you can see hehe -but still better than nothing. #grateful

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Left the apartment suuuuper late na. Request pa ako kay Kap: Honey please for our last day can we have a nice Italian lunch? Yung hindi fast food? Wine & dine me naman. Aba, aprub agad! Kaso mo, nagulantang kami sa presyo ng lunch. Goodbye sa binabalak kong romantic Italian date! Lumipad na ang budget, kalurkey! </3

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Our hunger got the best of us, hindi kami nag-compute hehe. We just sat & ordered at the first resto we saw upon reaching the Vatican.

Made the stupid mistake of eating at the resto right across the Vatican! Super jack-up ang presyo ahuhuhu. Even Kap was speechless. 6.8k php for our very simple meal. ARE YOU EFFIN’ KIDDING ME??? @_@ Tandaan nyo ito: CAFFE VATICANO. DO NOT ENTER!!

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Last day of sightseeing is for the Vatican! \m/ We saved the best for last. As usual, haba ng pila. Pay extra for fastpass, diyan pa naman pinaka-allergic si Kap.. sa extra pay hahaha. Pili ka honey, 3 hours pila under the sun outside for tickets pa lang or 3 hours pila inside pero with guide & sightseeing na? ;))

Vatican City, officially Vatican City State or the State of Vatican City, is a walled enclave within the city of Rome. With an area of approximately 44 hectares (110 acres), and a population of 842, it is the smallest state in the world by both area and population.

Within Vatican City are religious and cultural sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. They feature some of the world’s most famous paintings and sculptures. The unique economy of Vatican City is supported financially by the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications.

Half day tours available starting at $45/person. CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS.

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Opted to get the guided tour for an easier life. Ayaw ko na ng stress at mahabang pilahan. Ubos na ang pasensya ko by this time, lol. And there’s our short guide with the green flag, follow the leader!

One simply KENAT go to Rome & not visit the Vatican. KENAT! We paid 65 euros each so may patong. Around 3.5k per person.

We normally just get the free audio tour when we sight-see & go on our own, mahirap kasi yung naghihintayan, plus you get to skip the bow-ring stuff. But for this particular sight, hindi kakayanin. Vatican is simply too big, you’ll get lost.. in translation, and otherwise! ;))

Like I said, I’m really not into architecture & history, even arts & music lol. But the kids seem to enjoy it kaya sunod lang si mama bear. 😛

And here is papa bear for comic relief! @_@ #mahiligsaballs

Every nook & cranny is simply beautiful. You can’t just look sideways, but also above & below. 360 degrees, syang tunay!

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Below is my stolen video of the Sistine Chapel. Bawal mag-peechur inside but hella pinoy that I am, GOppets, VOLT-IN ang drama! Formation agad-agad.

The Sistine Chapel is a chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope, in Vatican City. Originally known as the Cappella Magna, the chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who restored it between 1477 and 1480. Since that time, the chapel has served as a place of both religious and functionary papal activity. Today it is the site of the Papal conclave, the process by which a new pope is selected. The fame of the Sistine Chapel lies mainly in the frescos that decorate the interior, and most particularly the Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment by Michelangelo.

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Down the steps is The Papal Basilica of St. Peter, or simply known as St. Peter’s Basilica, an Italian Renaissance church in Vatican City, the papal enclave within the city of Rome.

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St. Peter’s is famous as a place of pilgrimage and for its liturgical functions. The Pope presides at a number of liturgies throughout the year, drawing audiences of 15,000 to over 80,000 people.

As a work of architecture, it is regarded as the greatest building of its age. St. Peter’s is one of the four churches of Rome that hold the rank of Major Basilica. Contrary to popular misconception, it is not a cathedral because it is not the seat of a bishop.

The Vatican City is definitely a MUST-SEE destination when in Rome. Two thumbs up. \m/

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To cap off our Italian adventure, GELATO! <3 And ho-hum, chinese food. What can I say? I’m beaten! Last day na aangal pa ba ako? ;))

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Last gelato run before we say goodbye to Roma! Thumbelina (Sorrento walnuts, rose petals & flowers violette) and Pear & Bluecheese. Hmnnn.. definitely an acquired taste. But at least I tried!

Chinese dinner at Garden Ristorante. Surprisingly good for a chinese/japanese resto mix in Italy, lol!

Fortune cookies to cap the day. My fortune: You are going to travel somewhere far away. KOREK, na-dale mo! Uuwi na ako!!! ;))

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Thank you Italy, it’s been a draining but fun 6 days under the sun. We hope to come back with our princess. :-*

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But for now, we are soooo ready to go home sweet home! <3