The Inaugural Vista's Official Trippingpara Mayhem in the Mediterranean Review

[trippingpara]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[trippingpara]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cathedral was a solar observatory or a heliometer built in 1690. It consists of a small hole in one of the minor domes which acts as a pinhole camera and projects a small beam of sunlight onto a bronze line (la Meridiana) on the floor running precisely north and south. The ends of the line mark the positions as at the summer and winter solstices; signs of the zodiac show the various other dates throughout the year.

 

 

 

Here is a picture of one of the lesser domes. You can obviously see the oculus in the center but notice the small ray of light to the right of the oculus? That is the pinhole camera that projects the image of the sun onto the la Meridiana on the floor.

 

 

 

The la Meridiana that stretches across the floor of the cathedral

 

 

 

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[trippingpara]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The crypts of the Norman kings

 

 

 

 

 

 

A carving on the side of the sarcophagus of Frederick II

 

 

Coming up, enjoying a beautiful day on the Vista and JiJi's

 

 

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[trippingpara]

The one thing about being on one of these large tour buses is that people talked. And complained. The most common heard comment about Palermo was how terrible the traffic was with the next most common compliant was the amount of trash everywhere. I have to say that I somewhat agree with these complaints. The traffic was bad but then again, it was no worse than you would experience in New York City or Los Angeles or any major city really. The trash however was on every street and sidewalk. Don’t they have any garbage men here??

 

Any ways, once we were done at the cathedral, we piled back into our double-decker bus and headed back to port. This was a short excursion. Even though we were supposed to be back on board by 3:30, it was almost 12:30 by the time we got back to the ship. I would have loved to do more and see more but it would have been a bit of a walk to get back into the main part of town where there was even anything remotely interesting to see and frankly, we were just too pooped to make that kind of a trip. Plus, we didn’t know how long it would take us to make that walk and if 3 hours was enough time to do it in. Of course, we should have known that we wouldn’t leave on time. The Vista had yet to leave a port on time this entire trip. We ranged from departing anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours late. We, however are not the type of people to run that kind of a risk.

 

 

For some reason, I have to take photos of foreign police cars. Ever since I was an exchange student in Germany, I have always taken a photo of a police car in every country I've ever been in. Some people collect shotglasses, or postcards or spoons, or thimbles, well, I collect photos of police cars. Yep, I'm wacky!

 

 

 

Whale tail!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[trippingpara]

Once back on the ship, we quickly changed into our swimwear since it was our first pretty warm day. We jotted out to the aft pool and hopped right in…and jumped right out!! I swear we must have looked like a pair of cartoon characters running on the top of the water trying to get back out of that pool. The last time I was in water that cold was in Moscow and it had very large chunks of ice in it! They must have just pumped that water in from the bay just before we jumped in. The sun had been beating down on that pool for several hours so there is no way that water had been there the whole day. Now I know why the pool was empty! So we did what any normal, well-adjusted adult would do…pub crawl!! We also spent some time playing around on the SportsSquare (our favorite area of the ship – aside from the Alchemy Bar of course!). By the way, we did check back on the water temp in the pool several hours later and it did warm up from the sun beating down on it. Just wonder why they choose to pump the water in from the harbor just as people were starting to return back to the ship.

 

 

 

I would often stop and look out over the rails and then talk about something that I see. Lady Trip would just respond with "I see nothing but white". She is a bit, um...vertically challenged and couldn't see over the new higher walls on some of the decks. I found it very funny. She...not so much!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This game of footpool was so much fun but so much harder than it looks!!

 

 

 

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[trippingpara]

For dinner, we had reservations at JiJi’s Asian Kitchen. We had never eaten here before so we were looking forward to it. There is a $15 upcharge for it and it is well worth it! While we were eating dinner, there was a film crew in there filming the cooks and then going around and filming the patrons as we ate. Not sure if we made the final cut or if we were left lying on the cutting room floor. Since this was the inaugural run of the Vista, there were a lot of professional film crews on board. Peter the Hair (as John Heald calls him) was running around too (he is the gentlemen that stars in the “Making of the Vista” video series on the Carnival website). I chatted with him while we sat together in the whirlpool in the Could 9 spa (he had a spa balcony cabin). Any ways, that is pretty much a day in the life of the Trips’ in Palermo, Italy. Cheers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming up: the wonders of Rome and the wacky group of tourists...

 

 

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[trippingpara]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[trippingpara]

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Wednesday, May 11th – Rome, Italy

We arrived into the Port of Civitavecchia (or as I call it, Chitty-Chitty, Bang-Bang or simply CCBB) around 6:00 am. We weren’t able to disembark until 7:00 am but we weren’t meeting our tour group until 7:45 am just off the gangway. After getting ready, we fought the crowd in the elevators to go up to the Lido Deck for a quick breakfast. After wolfing down some grub, we rushed down to Deck Zero and off the ship.

 

We grabbed a spot just off the gangway and within a couple minutes, Mr. and Mrs. CarnieAddict arrived. A few minutes later, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin_Mac came over. And showing up in the nick of time was Mr. and Mrs. LightHammer. It didn’t take too long to realize that this was going to be a fun group. Of the 8 of us, 4 were from the US and the other 4 were from Canada. And we picked on each other mercilessly for it.

 

The eight of us strolled over to where the army of buses and private vans were waiting. We looked hard as we could, yet we could not find our driver. And then the rain started. We called our driver several times before we were finally able to get a hold of him. He was stuck in the infamous Roman traffic and would be with us in a few minutes. He did show up a few minutes later as did LightHammer all sweaty and panting. He had just realized that he had forgotten his tickets to the coliseum. I think he broke a couple speed records as he talked his way back on board via a crew entrance, up to his room and back off board in a just a couple of minutes. Very impressive!!

 

Once we were all in the van, we quickly departed the very industrial city of Chitty-Chitty, Bang-Bang (aka Civitavecchia, otherwise hereto known as CCBB). It took us a lot longer than I had expected to get out of the city. But once we made our way out, and onto the highway, it was off to the races! Our driver was bent on making up the time. The speedometer was cruising past 160 kph and the speed limit was 90 kph! It was a long drive from CCBB to Rome but it seemed to fly by quickly. The whole group all got along famously and we had a lot of laughs – usually at the expense of CarnieAddict. For once it wasn’t at my expense. Thanks for taking one for the team Carnie!! Thankfully, Carnie is a really good-natured guy and took it all in fun and even gave himself a couple good shots too!

 

All the fun and laughter aside, we pulled into Rome. The traffic was nuts but our driver could have been a double for Jason Statham in the movie, Transporter. He was bald, dressed in a suit and wove around traffic like a professional. Very impressive!! Our first stop of the day was at a perch overlooking the old Roman Circus. This is where the famous chariot races were held at during Roman times.

 

 

A Race for the Cure walk was set up that day in the Roman Circus

 

 

 

I lost my mother to breast cancer so this is cause that is near and dear to me. My sister travels all over participating in these walks. In fact, we are all traveling to Hawaii next year to participate in their Race for the Cure in Honolulu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming up next...the Roman Forum

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After a few dozen photos at the Circus, we sped off to another perch overlooking the ruins of the Roman Forum. What a view! The driver told us to meet him down some steps about a block away about 20 minutes later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[trippingpara]

Once we were done with our photos at the Forum, we walked over to the steps and were struck dumbfounded. The view was incredible! And the views kept coming. As we walked down the steps, we realized we were at the foot of the Altare della Patria or the Il Vittoriano (aka the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II). It is huge!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[smitty89]

Amazing pictures, as always! Every time I see a Med review, I'm always in awe of the architecture and art that these countries just have everywhere. It just reinforces my desire to make it over there some day! Thanks!!

[trippingpara]

Amazing pictures, as always! Every time I see a Med review, I'm always in awe of the architecture and art that these countries just have everywhere. It just reinforces my desire to make it over there some day! Thanks!!

 

Thank you so much. Walking the streets in these European cities is simply jaw dropping! Definitely worth a spot on your must visit list!

[trippingpara]

It was now time to load up and head over to the famous Coliseum. Because the crowd was so large at the Coliseum, our driver took us over to the entry gate for the Forum where we could exchange our vouchers for tickets there. A couple minutes later with tickets in hand, we headed down the street to the Coliseum. We followed the signs and got into the line for the “Skip the Line” ticketholders. Now here’s some irony…the people that did not have tickets just strolled right on past us. What is wrong with this picture?! So the people with the “skip the line” tickets had to wait in line while the people with “get in line because you do not have any tickets” had no line! Apparently since everyone now buys “skip the line” tickets, that line is now huge and no one was in the line to buy tickets. Anyways, we eventually made our way it thru the line and into the actual Coliseum. The real reason for the long lines is the fact that you have to go through security scanners before you can enter the Coliseum. If you’re expecting to see the Coliseum that was in the Gladiator movie, then you will be sorely disappointed. What you are actually seeing are the ruins of the Coliseum. (You'd be surprised at how many people think the Coliseum is completely intact and then complain that it isn't what they expected!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[trippingpara]

We strolled together as a group around the main two levels. It was nice as everyone in the group just sorta understood each other. Each of us would periodically dart off to see something or take a photo of something and then immediately get back to the group. No one was searching for anyone and everyone looked out for each other. All without anything being said. And that is the reason why I like small group tours! Plus, you really get to know each other and can make some great friends! Sorry, just realized I went off on another tangent again. I know, I do that a lot! Any ways, everyone really wanted to go down to the basement to see where the gladiators lived but that required a separate tour and it was only offered in the morning. After checking out the main levels, we left the Coliseum and spent a little bit of time walking around the outside while Kevin_Mac and I took a few hundred photos. See…I’m not the only camera nut in the group!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, our group was just not normal!

 

 

 

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[trippingpara]

Once we climbed into our van, we got back into traffic to see the Trivoli Fountain. It was just a quick photo stop which was a good thing because it was absolutely mobbed! I grabbed a couple quick photos but unfortunately could not get close enough to toss some coins into the fountain as a token for us to return to Roma. But have no fear, I do see another visit to Roma in our future. Vista II maybe?? We then quickly drove by the Spanish Steps which we really could not see due to the construction at the top which blocked our view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then made a quick stop for lunch at Alice, a small pizza shop. WOW!! That was some seriously tasty pizza! That place put my local pizza shop that I loved to shame! Although, that was the very first time I had to order pizza by weight! Everyone in our group just sorta stared at each other at first. How much does a slice of pizza weigh, does anybody know?? Being the smart one of the group Kevin_Mac jumped up and asked how much the customer before us ordered. Armed with that answer, we all ordered the same amount. It was just the right amount too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[trippingpara]

The Pantheon was our next stop. I always wanted to see this marvel of engineering. It is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. Its’ over 2,000 years old!! It is also a perfect circle (not counting the vestibule and front porch). The height to the oculus (the big hole in the center of the roof) is exactly the same measurement as the diameter of the interior circle. Very impressive considering it was built in 126 AD!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think the thing that struck everyone the most about the Pantheon was not the actual building itself but what was outside the building...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, a monk sitting there in the air. The only thing touching the ground was the stick he held in his hand. I'm still trying to figure out how he hovered like that! I'm sure the stick had something to do with it, but I'm be danged if I can understand it! Nonetheless, just be sure to leave him a tip if you take a picture of him. He will shoot you with his dagger-like eyes if you don't!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[trippingpara]

Hey my 1,000th post!! Any ways...

 

Our final stop of the day was at the Vatican. The eight of us had hired a guide just for this portion of the tour. I could not imagine visiting the Vatican without a guide explaining what you were looking at as well as directing you around this amazing city-state. It’s hard to remember that the Vatican is a separate country. They have their own custom agents, postal service and military (Swiss Guards). We toured a little bit of the Vatican before we started to make our way to the holy grail of this city…the Sistine Chapel.

 

 

 

All I could think of when I saw the wall surrounding Vatican City was the recent comment by the Pope about people who are building walls and not bridges aren't Christian. Not that I'm disagreeing with him or agreeing with the person his comment was directed towards, I think he must have forgot to look out his own window before making that comment though!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This giant bowl catches the rain water that falls from the oculus above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[deladane]

I think the thing that struck everyone the most about the Pantheon was not the actual building itself but what was outside the building...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, a monk sitting there in the air. The only thing touching the ground was the stick he held in his hand. I'm still trying to figure out how he hovered like that! I'm sure the stick had something to do with it, but I'm be danged if I can understand it! Nonetheless, just be sure to leave him a tip if you take a picture of him. He will shoot you with his dagger-like eyes if you don't!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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There is a seat attached to that pole so he is sitting indian style on a raised platform :) We saw guys doing the same thing when we went to Piazza Navona... It definitely makes you look twice when you first see it!

 

[trippingpara]

There is a seat attached to that pole so he is sitting indian style on a raised platform :) We saw guys doing the same thing when we went to Piazza Navona... It definitely makes you look twice when you first see it!

 

 

That's exactly what I figured it was. But the only thing that threw me off is the fact that he is sitting a couple feet away from the pole. So that means there must be a rod that is going from the pole, up his arm and drops back down into a pan that sits on. Just can't figure out how it's design to withstand his weight yet still be completely hidden. Impressive!! Thanks for sharing your photo. Theirs' is pretty impressive too as it looks like the one guy is holding the other guy up.

[jaxkai]

on americas got talent last year or the year before some guy did that and got pretty far , its was amazing to watch him do it :)

[Froufie]

[trippingpara]

 

Okay, so it is how I thought it was. Now I see how he gets into it. That was the part that confused me the most. I couldn't figure out how he got the pole that connected to the seat inside his smock's sleeve. Apparently, he puts the smock on after he sits down. The rod is already inside the sleeve. Interesting. Thanks for sharing, mystery solved!

[trippingpara]

Here are some more shots of the Vatican...

 

 

 

As you can see, there was not much of a crowd at the Vatican this day...!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[trippingpara]

After walking down several corridors, hallways and some flights of stairs, we suddenly found ourselves outside the door of the Sistine Chapel. I was surprised to find out how excited I was to see Michelangelo's masterpiece. Now I have been to some of the world's greatest art museums before and one would have been lucky to even get a grunt out of me as I viewed some of those great works of art. But this...for some reason, I was very anxious to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you enter the doorway, you enter the actual chapel. It is a wide open room. No furniture at all save some benches against the wall. There is a raised portion like a stage that you enter on. You then walk down some steps into the main floor area that is divided into two rooms by a partition wall. Photography is prohibited. It was killing me. Since I have such a large camera with a large lens and the room was very crowded, I cradled the camera with the lens pointed upward to protect it from ramming into other people. As I walked down the steps onto the main floor, I heard a faint shutter click. I looked down and realized that I just accidentally hit the shutter release on my camera. I then looked up at where the lens was pointed at. Now my camera is setup for off-camera flashes so there is no flash on the camera at all. Just a very quiet shutter. I think you can guess what occurred after that.

 

Ah heck, I'll just show ya!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the most famous part of Michelangelo's masterpiece...

 

 

 

 

 

 

I apologize for the crookedness of the photos and not following the Rules of Three. I really wasn't aiming the lens. Yes, I have since said dozens of Hail Mary's and have properly begged for forgiveness for taking those photographs!! Remember, the Christian God is a forgiving God! Or so I've been told.

 

 

 

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[Miss_Mono]

Awesome! Just amazing!