The Vatican City

The first sight is truly an amazing sight. (Somewhat akin to when I walked through the main doors of the Forbidden City for the first time) It's one of those places that you just cannot explain in words the enormity and space of the place. Unfortunately, I'd not the time to re-read Da Vinci's Code before my trip, so was not able to check out the places that was mentioned in the book.

St. Peter's Square

We went to the Vatican Museum first and were counting our blessings when we'd decided to pay extra by booking the tickets through the internet. We got to enter at 8am, and the general public only at 10am, but the queue had already started when we arrive at 7:30am. And by the time we came out of the museum at about 11am, the line had snaked all the way around the Vatican Walls for as long as.......again, one of those things that just cannot be explained in words! I would say from Park Royal Hotel to Concorde Hotel, or maybe longer....! I'd never been so pleased with myself for pre-booking!

Touching the Vatican Walls :-)

It is no joke that St. Peter's Basilica is the biggest church in the world. The interior is HUGE! Unfortunately my camera's not so good in the dark, so couldn't really take many pictures inside. There must've been easily close to a thousand people inside (and it's not even peak month).

Inside St. Peter's Basilica (Bernini's four column in the background)

To get to the top of Michelangelo's Dome, we had to queue more than 30 minutes, and climbed a few hundred steps. Another personal achievement for me! Towards the top, the stairs became very narrow and steep and it was spiralling, so we had to bend our body sideways and climb with a slight stoop! But I have to say, the view from the top was really worth it ..... after fighting off the other hundred people who got there before us!

View from the top of Michelangelo's Dome