The Eagle has landed

Hello All,

Well we finally got to sleep and we’re just enjoying room service as the captain tries to park the boat. I was able to sleep about 3 or 4 hours on the plane, but I think Heather ended up watching the movies.

Yesterday we landed at 2:00 am EST and started touring the Vatican at 4:00 am our time. I’m not sure I can really begin to convey what it is like to be in the Vatican without using too many superlatives. Everything is marble and big. We toured the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. (yes Christian I regain my ability to spell after sleep) Overall, we were both most impressed by St. Peter’s. They place is over 500 feet long and has two working alters in the wings. The Pope is apparently quite proud of the sheer size because inside there are bronze markers on the floor which show how famous Cathedrals from around the World would fit inside St. Peter’s. Notre Dame for example is only about 1/3 the length. Even then you lose perspective as to how large everything is, the marble statues that all sit at ground level and are all around 30 feet tall and do not even begin to reach the ceiling. They have such intricate detail that you almost have to touch to appreciate. The walls and ceiling are adorned with what looks like huge paintings but are actually all Mosaics (and meant we could take all the pictures we wanted). We did get to tour some of the crypts, (basically just the basement level) where past popes have been laid to rest including John Paul II.

Our state room in enormous as far as rooms on a ship measure up. Just the bathroom is larger than ours at home, jacuzzi tub, dually sinks and all. Powder room, computer desk, bar, several closets, sitting area, bed, and of course, balcony, I believe we’ll have breakfast out there every morning.

Now we’re docking in Naples and are off to see Pompeii.

Arrivederci, Heather and Adrian