Roma

St. Peter's Basilica

Destination: Europe. 1st stop Rome
Route: Manila-Rome-Berlin-Potsdam-Berlin-Goettingen-Cologne-Brussels-Aachen-Cologne-Amsterdam-Utrecht-Eindhoven-Amsterdam-Stuttgart-Frankfurt-Manila... phew!!!
Airline: Cathay Pacific (CX) from Manila-HK-Fiumicino and Frankfurt-HK-Manila
If you've booked economy seats but you need a bit more room, you may want to pay an extra US$100 for a bulkhead seat or one with extra leg room such as in this photo...

A tip about your short waiting time at HK airport before leaving for Rome, you may want to try out popular local fastfood joints Tsui Wah or Cafe de Coral. Both have shops at the airport food center. You won't have that much time BUT if you set your alarm to give you enough time to board your Rome-bound plane, then it's a good option. It's a must on my list :-)... just don't miss your flight!

Tsui Wah Eatery at the HK airport

Delicious Curry. The milk tea or nai cha drink is a fave of mine.

Ground Transportation: Private transfers and tours
         Upon arrival at Da Vinci or Fiumicino airport you are greeted by this sign...

... a good option if your hotel is near Termini station or the Vatican

         As I had booked for private transfers and since my accommodations were not too near Termini and the Vatican, I didn't get to try this 8-Euro shuttle. A taxi ride from Fiumicino to a city center hotel/lodging is charged a flat rate of 40euros.
Season: Fall but more like summer at a hot 28〫celsius.
Highlights:
        Before any journey that I take, I always jot down a list of must-visit sites. For this particular Rome trip, I kept my list simple: St. Peter's Square, the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain(Why? To throw a coin & wish for a return trip to Rome, of course ;)). These photo highlights show that I got through my list with much success :-). All other attractions are delightful bonuses!

Breathtaking Palatine Hill... my photo doesn't capture how
jaw-dropping this sight is. In the foreground, Circus Maximus.

This is it! The Colosseum... check! :-)

Small shops thrive on this side of the Colosseum

Perfect on a moonlit night. Sigh!

With the Arch of Constantine on the right. Double Sigh!

Approaching St. Peter's, The Vatican. Triple Sigh! :-)

Trevi Fountain. Fontana di Trevi where I made my wish :-)

Galleria delle Carte Geografiche, Vatican Museums

The School of Athens by Raphael, Raphael Rooms
Vatican Museums

I like this work by Armando Spadini. The lady with her left
hand outstretched has a beautiful glow on her face. Such joy!

La Bocca della Verita. The Mouth of Truth

Basilica San Giovanni In Laterano ceiling

The inspiring 19th century mosaic on the facade of San Paolo fuori le Mura

Fontana dei Fiumi, Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona and I

        If you drink water, you will never go thirsty in Rome. Try to bring a refillable bottle and you can have as much water as you wish from one of the many fountains that dot the city. 
        Some may not look that fancy....

Outside St. Paul's

... but the water is cool and potable... and you don't need to spend a cent ;)

This is one of the fancier ones located at St. Peter's Square near Via di Porta Angelica

If pizza is your thing, then you won't need to spend much either. You can go for pizza by the slice or by weight. There's HEAPS to choose from!

Lots of options at Pizza Rustica! Just one of many pizza places.

Pizza stuffed with spinach & ricotta. So good! Good enough
reason to visit Rome ;-)

Yummy shawarma, couscous & hummus dip at Shawarma Station.
Via Merolana near Piazza Sta. Maria Maggiore

Side salad, falafel, shawarma & couscous (partly hidden:))

Three letters to describe the Pantheon as you approach it from the side...

        ... O...

                                   ... M...

                                   ... G!
   
     Rome is an amazing destination! After Palatine Hill, I lost count of how many times I gazed in amazement, appreciation & awe at the history and beauty that was before me. 
        Arriverderci, Roma! Hopefully, not for long! :)

Osaka Universal Studios

Destination: Osaka, Japan
Season: One beautiful April Spring day
Ground Transportation: Nozomi bullet train from Nagoya to Osaka

Hotel: Toyoko Inn Osaka JR Noda Ekimae. For more on Toyoko Inn, click here.

Park ticket: I got a 1day Studio Pass. This includes admission to all attractions for a day. There’s a 2-day Studio Pass and a 1.5-day Twilight and Day Pass. The rates for a Studio Pass at that time were 5,800 yen for adults (aged 12 or older) and 3,900 yen for children (aged 4-11). Go here for current info http://www.usj.co.jp/e/ 
I also got a Universal Express Pass for priority admission to attractions. I didn’t have to wait too long in queues. If you wish to leave the park and return on the same day, remember to get a hand stamp prior to leaving the park. Your Studio Pass/ ticket and handstamp are required for re-entry .

You might want to explore the many shops or eat in one of the
restaurants at Universal City Walk just outside the park gates.

In the park you will find these areas: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, WaterWorld, Amity Village, Snoopy Studios, Lord of Oz and Lagoon.

Peter Pan’s Neverland show at the Lagoon

Highlights:

* Meet & Greet: I always enjoy having photos taken with characters I’ve known since childhood. Be quick to spot a character and ask park staff, one or two will always accompany a character, WHERE you are meant to queue for a photo op. It'll save you some queueing time, well, that's if other park-goers didn't ask and get there first.

With, Popeye the Sailor Man! I hear the theme song in my head :)
"... I'm strong to the finich, cause I eats me spinach, I'm Popeye the sailor man!"

Betty Boop & I in Hollywood

Sometimes you chance upon a park character about to take a designated spot for photo ops (a long queue already in place!) or about to take a break and on the move. Rather than wait for their next appearance, I just click away. 

Woody Woodpecker & his girlfriend Winnie

Never mind that the photos are blurry or one looks like a crazy fan chasing after some helpless mascot! :P When I see photos taken in this manner, I always get a good laugh! Besides, mascots almost always have nice smiles on their faces so the "chase" doesn't look too bad in photos :)...

Shrek! Fiona! Wait for us! 

Jurassic Park The Ride

* Jurassic Park The Ride: I am game for the Jurassic Park ride but roller coasters, like the Hollywood Dream ride, are not my cup of tea.

I won't be fooled by the tame
facade! :)

* Hello Kitty : I didn't expect Hello Kitty to be at Universal so that was a really cute surprise. Kawaii! 

* The Blues Brothers :

The Blues Brothers Jake & Elwood 

The Blues Brothers~Chicago Bound show with Mabel & Otis

* Magical Starlight Parade: This would have to be my favourite at the park. A warning though, the photos you are about to see are quite.... blurry and are a poor representation of the pretty & sparkling floats. Having said that, I'm happy to share these pictures :)

Elmo, Snoopy and Hello Kitty floats

Cinderella's pumpkin carriage

Fairy Godmother arrives & waves her magic wand

The Magical Starlight Parade was a great way to end the day at the park. To make sure you don't miss it, check the park show schedule here. I will definitely get a Twilight & Day pass next time I go to Universal Studios Japan. For now, Sayonara!