Top 10 Travel Experiences: The Colosseum in Rome

 

The Colosseum

Many of my top 10 travel experiences involve history.  I have always been interested in history and would love to have taught it.  Family history, church history, history of empires and civilizations, etc. This travel experience hits on so many of those areas of interest in me.  The Colosseum in Rome has become a symbol of an era - both in what was capable to be built and what happened in the Colosseum.  Countless movies have been made about gladiators and other spectacles taking place in this arena.  Although I had see the outside before, on this visit to Rome, I was determined to get inside.  

Visiting with a former exchange student (Luca) and his family in Rome, we had taken a private tour around Rome hitting all of the major sites.  Below is a picture of me with Luca and his mom outside of the Colosseum that day.  You can also visit my Carbonaro Challenge post in this blog for more information about that visit. 

During our tour that day, I asked the guide about seeing the inside.  He mentioned that it was difficult to get in, but did say that the next day - Saturday - was a free entry day.  He also mentioned that it would be crazy busy and did not recommend that I try to get in that day.  Well, if you know me, I like a challenge.  Sometimes they are foolhardy, but many times they pay off.  I woke up early that day and it was lightly raining.  I thought that this may be a good morning to try to get in to the Colosseum.  Perhaps many would not want to get out in the rain and certainly not that early.  I thought that it opened at 8:00 so I headed out about 6:30am.  Along the way I was able to get many before daylight pictures of some of the major attractions along the way including the Colosseum.  

Travel tip:  The early bird gets the worm.  

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Colosseum (/ˌkɒ.lə.ˈsiː.əm/ KOL-ə-SEE-əm; Italian: Colosseo [kolosˈsɛːo]) is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, just east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is the largest standing amphitheatre in the world. Construction began under the Emperor Vespasian (r. 69–79 AD) in 72^[1] and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir, Titus (r. 79–81).^[2] Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (r. 81–96).^[3] The three emperors who were patrons of the work are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium; Italian: Anfiteatro Flavio [aɱfiteˈaːtro ˈflaːvjo]) by later classicists and archaeologists for its association with their family name (Flavius).

The Colosseum is built of travertine limestone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced Roman concrete. It could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators at various points in its history,^[4][5] having an average audience of some 65,000;^[6] it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles including animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, dramas based on Roman mythology, and briefly mock sea battles. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

Once I arrived at the box office area (where you get your free ticket), I noticed about 4-5 people standing in a line.  Not knowing for sure, I joined the line.  Another tip - when you see a line - check it out.  Asking around, I find out this is the line for the free tickets; however, the box office did not open until 9:00 am.  It was about 7:00 am at the time.  Some may say, I'm not going to wait two hours in the rain to get in - but not me.  I was determined to get in (get that from my mom).  So I hung out there for two hours with off and on drizzles - never heavy rain.  I saw the line get longer and longer and by the time the box office opened it was a couple of city blocks long.  By the time, I got through security - I was like the second person let in to the colosseum.  Once again, I found myself almost alone in an amazing piece of architecture and history.  Imagining the people from ancient times roaming through these same halls.  Below are pictures from that amazing morning.  

Travel tip:  Put forth the effort to do the major things on your list.  You may never have the chance to do them again.  Also, don't be put off by advice from others.  Go with you gut, desire, and instinct.  

"While stands the Coliseum, Rome shall stand; When falls the Coliseum, Rome shall fall; And when Rome falls—the World." — Lord Byron

Top 10 Travel Experiences: The Great Wall of China

 

The Great Wall of China

I'm not sure I ever thought I would get to see most of the things I am sharing, but definitely did not think this was possible.  Until, I hosted Kenny Zhao as an exchange student in 2010.  As with most of my Asian exchange students, he went to college in the United States and is currently working and living in Houston.  Also, as I have stated before, I tell my exchange students that I will visit them when they go back to their countries.  Since he did not go back to live, I wasn't sure I would make it.  Well, it just so happened that the company he is working for has had several projects in China and he has been sent to China to work on those.  During one of those times, he and his wife welcomed twins.  So the extra incentive to go visit was added.  

Travel Tip:  Take advantage of the opportunity to visit friends and family members when they are living abroad.  They will enjoy the visit and you get the benefit of their knowledge and expertise.  Many times my hosts will tell me that they had never visited a place that they take me.  So they get to be "tourists in their own town."  I know that is what happens to me when I show people around New Orleans.  I've done it enough to see most everything.  I have certainly eaten enough beignets at Cafe du Monde.  However, there are still things that I stumble upon that I have not done.  

Although there were many amazing sights and experiences during my two weeks in China, the Great Wall was definitely one of those bucket list items.  Below are pictures from that visit, which happened to be a gray and foggy day.  At first, I was disappointed, but after looking at the pictures it did add an air of mystery to the wall.  I also wanted to add that in China, entry to most museums, attractions, etc. are free to people 60 years or older - even for non Chinese.  

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Great Wall of China^[4] is a series of fortifications in China. They were built across the historical northern borders of ancient Chinese states and Imperial China as protection against various nomadic groups from the Eurasian Steppe. The first walls date to the 7th century BC; these were joined together in the Qin dynasty.^[5][6] Successive dynasties expanded the wall system; the best-known sections were built by the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).

To aid in defense, the Great Wall utilized watchtowers, troop barracks, garrison stations, signaling capabilities through the means of smoke or fire, and its status as a transportation corridor. Other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls (allowing control of immigration and emigration, and the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road), and the regulation of trade.^[7]

      

Here is Kenny (our happy tour guide) and his mom.  

Parts of the wall were very crowded.  I can only imagine what it would be on a clear sunny day.  

The pictures below were at an inner wall.  Not far from the main wall.  

Thank you, Kenny!  

"When one stands there and sees the Wall going to the peak of this mountain and realizes that it runs for hundreds of miles... that it was built over 2,000 years ago, I think that you would have to conclude that this is a great wall and that it had to be built by a great people." – Richard Nixon

Top 10 Travel Experiences: Sunrise in Venice

 

Sunrise in Venice

I was fortunate to be able to stay on the island of Venice in a vacation rental owned by one of my former exchange student, Alessio's family.  This allowed me the rare opportunity to experience Venice in the early morning hours before most people were awake.  This feeling of being the only one in Venice was magical.  As crowded as Venice is with tourists (this was October), this felt like an experience that very few people had.  Below are some of the pictures I took along the way to the St. Mark's Square.  I'm sure you can see from the pictures what a beautifully mesmerizing experience this was.  

Travel tip:  When possible, stay as close to where you want to see as possible.  Although in many cases it will be more expensive, it will be worth it.  For example, stay in historic centers of old towns, stay inside of National Parks when lodging is available.  It makes it easier to catch these special times of day.  

“I have never in my life been so struck by any place as by Venice. It is the wonder of the world. Dreamy, beautiful, inconsistent, impossible, wicked, shadowy, d-able old place. I entered it by night, and the sensation of that night and the bright morning that followed is a part of me for the rest of my existence.”

– In a letter sent by Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

Top 10 Travel Experiences: Sunset at the Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion, Greece

Temple of Poseidon - Cape Sounion, Greece

Today I begin a series of post based on my Top 10 recent travel experiences.  I will use travel from 2010 until now since those are freshest in my mind.  In 2010, I began international travel again, after stopping after 9/11.  Some of it was initial fear, but most of it was opportunity and finances.  I did travel to many national parks in the US during that time and some with my parents.  I'm so glad I was able to travel with my parents.  

Although this is the first in the series, it is not necessarily #1 or #10.  It is hard to put these in order since they are based on feelings of awe and wonder.  Those are hard to measure.  You will notice a theme that many of theme involve sunrises or sunsets.  Some I have covered in other blog posts and others are new.  I hope you enjoy this series.  

In July of 2021, a group of friends and myself took a tour to Greece.  We did it in the middle of the COVID-19 restrictions.  I thought (correctly) that it would be a great time to visit a popular tourist area during the busy season.  We were able to get good prices and low crowds at these amazing sites and this will be a trip I will never forget.  One member of the group had a recommendation from a friend that we not miss the Temple of Poseidon at sunset.  Although it was not part of the tour, we booked a separate tour to this site and I am so glad that we did.  

Travel Tip:  Remember that personal recommendations are some of the best ways to experience must visit locations.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Temple of Poseidon is an ancient Greek temple on Cape Sounion, Greece, dedicated to the god Poseidon. There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. Sounion's most prominent temples, the Temple of Athena and the Temple of Poseidon, are however not believed to have been built until about 700 BC, and their kouroi (freestanding Greek statues of young men) date from about one hundred years later.^[1] The material and size of the offerings at the Temple of Poseidon indicate that it was likely frequented by members of the elite and the aristocratic class.^[2]

It is important to visit it at sunset.  Otherwise, it is just another set of columns.  :)

As part of the tour, we had the opportunity to swim in the Mediterranean Sea.  You can see the temple in the background.  That was where we were headed after the swim.  Notice the smooth rocks on the bottom of the water.  They were a little difficult to navigate. 

Two of my favorite travel partners, we also had dinner/lunch included as part of the tour.  They are showing a traditional Greek salad, that became a favorite on the trip.  I still make this type of salad.  Of course, it never seems to taste as good as it did on this trip.  Perhaps it is the quality and freshness of the ingredients.  

We were blessed with a beautiful day and were treated to an amazing sunset.  The pictures below speak for themselves.  

I'm so glad we added this tour to our trip to Greece.  Highly recommend.