I give you a map if you like

To cross of the list:


Cities to Visit: 

#19 - Rome, Italy

Countries to visit: 

Italy

Vatican City


To photograph:
The Colosseum

Rome really is an amazing city full of so so much history and religion, every way you turn,

Though, I didn't expect it to be as much of a tourist destination as it was - I was constantly surrounded by english, the most I've ever been since I left New Zealand, and surrounded by people, literally everywhere. The underground metro (and i mean underground, way down down down), and the buses, were the most crowded I had ever been on, every single one. 

There was graffiti like this over every metro train. Like this photo

Everywhere you went there were people trying to sell you the same crap the guy before you was, and I cannot begin to tell you how many times I heard the words: "special price, today only, just for you my friend, because I like you!"

I was there with a friend from school, Marco, and his older sister plus two friends. We had 4 straight days of almost perfect, blue sky, each one hitting 30C. It was a good feeling reverting to the familiar jandals and singlets, only this time there were no easily accessible oceans or pools when you needed them. 

On our second day we spent 1 1/2 hours in line waiting to enter the "Vatican City",  a country of it's own in the city of Rome, where the Pope lives (saw him speak the day before aswell). In the museum is located the famous painting "A criação de adão" by Michelangelo, and although there was tight security and a strict ban on photography, the opportunity to attempt to capture it was too good too pass up. No flash, faster shutter, low app, highest ISO and I was impressed with the final result, considering it was more of a hit or miss kind of photo. After some editing, here is the final shot: 

(Click to enlarge)

While I was in Rome and had some time away from the others I had the opportunity to catch up with a mate from NZ, Hugo Dunphy. It really was a cool feeling to be able to speak once again in person with somebody who knows my culture, my slang, my friends, and whats going on back home. 

Beer from Burger King! Didn't taste half bad either

The highlight of the trip, I would have to tell you it was saturday night. On our way to Hugo's apartment, Marco and I met a 19 year old Canadian girl living in Prag who was in Rome by herself for the weekend. The four of us went out for a drink, and she was cool, but we told her the bus to where her hostel was stopped at 11 so she would have to catch the last one soon. And so she left then it was back to us. We went to an old square, and the place was alive. It was so warm, and there were once again people everywhere, though more young Italians this time. 

The three of us kept drinking, met people, drank more and met some more people, then went to a shot bar. 

New favourite bar.

Simple concept:

Come in

Get your shot/s

Get out

After a night of drinking, finishing with a Blowjob and two Absinthe from the shot bar, you'll be drinking from the slushy machine, eating crepes filled with nutella, heading back to Hugo's apartment in town with american girls who think you're 20, then taking leaks off the balcony.

At least I was..

and it was dope.

Two best nights since NZ:

• Horsens (Denmark) with Anton
• Rome with Hugo

and to Hugo: 

So good to see you, can't wait for you to come stay, or our trip to Amsterdam, and I hope to make it back down in the summer. 


Or to one of your trainings to meet the sponsors haha

ps. You weren't wearing your goon goggles haha

Sunday Morning 8am


After three hours of sleep, still drunk, and switching camera to 'auto', it was time to check what all the fuss was about, and cross off my final item on the bucket list I could this trip:

To Photograph: #7: The Colosseum

All up, the trip was a success. Expensive, but worth it. I got to see some of the oldest, most famous churches, monuments and ruins there are in today's world. Each day we were tired from walking and tired from the night before, it was always hot and sticky, but none of it mattered. It was the best experience and the memories are irreplaceable.