Saving Up For New TV!!

It is Election Day in the Philippines and too bad I cannot be updated about it because we do not have cable subscription. You see, the only small television unit we have is dominated by our toddler who demands to see Barney and Dora videos everyday.

Now hubby and I saving up to buy a bigger one to make at least our weekend movie nights more rewarding (our toddler's been keeping us away from cinema theaters hihi). And of course to finally get a cable subscription. It's time for our little boy to be acquainted with children's networks like Nickelodeon.We are planning on a purchase of combined LCD TV DVD unit. 

I wonder which brand is better? Samsung or Toshiba?

Hotel Priscilla, Rome

Note: We did not choose the hotels in the three cities we visited for the holiday. Those were booked for us by our travel agent Ms. Jabeen of Belhasa Global Tours in consideration of our budget. Overall, i could say that they were all very clean and in good location. As I share with you tales and photos from Italy, I might as well do a review for the hotels.

We traveled on spring time when the peak season started. Check in time is strictly 11 am. Nothing earlier because the hotel was fully booked.  If you are used to modern conveniences, Italy may not be for you. Three star hotels don't have swimming pool unlike in the Dubai. We had room 125 on the second floor. I don't know why they had to use three digit numbers when the hotel only offers 43 rooms =). But then, i also noticed this in Venice and Milan.

 The lobby taken early morning.

The elevator with its iron door and lock was most amusing. Too bad i forgot to take a photo. I think it belongs to those that you call vintage elevator. Like in the old movies that when you reach your floor, you have to push aside the iron door.  It was small like only three of us can fit inside with an umbrella pram. It was a funny experience yet we only used it twice because Andreas preferred using the stairs.

Anyway, when we went to the second floor lobby, our room was still being tidied. The lady scrubbing the bathroom floor was definitely Italian in all her glorious blonde hair. Hubby commented this was the only time he was being served by a supposed superior race. We noticed as well in the course of our travel that even the lowliest jobs were being done by Italians.

Wifi charge is 5 Euro for three days but we did not avail the service. Do get a rest before flying to Rome because the roads are like Baguio City. You either go up or walk down (Rome is composed of seven hills) so that going back to the hotel means going straight to bed for a good sleep. Oh their bed! They were the comfiest of the hotels we stayed!

The temperature drops at 10 degrees at night so we never opened the AC instead we threw the windows wide open. Bathroom is huge and the heater efficient.

Breakfast is served at 7:30 to 10:30 but the breakfast lounge is ready as early as 7am. Breakfast buffet have the basic croissant, cookies, and toasts with orange juice, yoghurt, and cornflakes. We saw only one Italian lady in-charge and she was definitely brilliant. She makes capuccino or hot choco or latte upon request.

Priscilla Hotel is located at Via Calabria. Roma Termini is a walking distance. You will be charge not more than 10 Euro if you take a cab. The hotel is also a walking distance to the posh district Via Veneto and Villa Borghese.

The Colosseo

Great to be back blogging again! Thank you to my online visitors who continued to leave messages for the past three weeks. To show further my appreciation, I am taking you with us today for a visit to The Colosseo =)

We landed Fiumicino Airport (also called Aeroporto Leanordo Da Vinci) early morning of April 25. We were met by my province mate, Glenda who has been working in Italy for quiet awhile now. Truth is I was soo nervous before embarking for the holiday. We've never been out of Dubai for the past four years - which makes one complacent - and after reading those tourist advisory on thieves and pickpockets, I was not so sure if we made the right choice of destination). The only thing calming my nerves was that Glenda will be there to guide us.

The passport control area was stringent as expected. But the baggage claim was different at all. Nobody checked if passengers claimed their rightful luggage =). By this time, we noticed that nobody spoke the English language. You ask them for directions, they will reply in Italian. When we finally saw Glenda at the arrival area, we gave up speaking to the airport staff. Glenda confirmed, only 1 in 10 Italian speak the English language =)

Along with other tourists, we boarded a private taxi going to central Rome which is about 30 kms away .Charge: 15 Euro per person. We could have taken the train but hubby was in a hurry to see The Colosseo. Besides, we were on travel with a toddler and a cab was the quickest and most reasonable for us.

After checking in at the charming Hotel Priscilla (thank goodness, the staff knew basic English), we tidied up for a scheduled visit to Borghese Gallery before proceeding to the Roman Coliseum. Enjoy the photos!

Also called the Flavian amphitheater, Italy's iconic structure nevel fails to impress for its elegant, enduring bulk, and its disturbing former function as a theater of slaughter.

Inside as well, you will see displays of reconstructed Gladiator armors.


The famous Arch Of Constatine. It is located between the Colosseo and Palatine Hill. The masive arch was erected to commemorate Constantine's victory over Maxentius.

Daddy and Andreas goofing around with Gladiators outside.

The Roman Forum as seen from the Colosseo. While it is not one of the best preserved archaeological site of Ancient Rome, The Forum was the nerve center of the most powerful Western civilization in history for a thousand years. This is where political decisions were made, speeches delivered, and markets took place.

Our 4th Wedding Anniversary at the Eternal City.

Visiting The Colosseo, Palatine Hill, and The Roman Forum costs 11 Euro per person. You can also get a Roman Archaeological Card which is good for three days if you are staying longer in Rome.

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