Day 2 - Rome Vatican and PTSA

We received our wake up calls at 0630. Had our bath, got ready to check out and proceed to the lobby by 0730 for breakfast. We checked out (made it a point to get back our passports. This was the only hotel, which insisted on collecting passports to give rooms).
The first spread of Continental breakfast was certainly not mouth watering. The lay out had cream buns, bread, croissants, cornflake along with tea, chocolate and coffee. Of course, butter cheese and jam were available. We had a hearty breakfast. I had a good helping of cornflakes, with chocolate chips. We carefully pocketed some cream buns and croissants (remember, lunch was on our own).
All of us did assemble and depart at 0830. The hotel was way out of the city and it took more than an hour to reach the city. We were reminded that we were from Chennai, and the typical Arcot road traffic was reproduced in Rome. Vehicles were moving at a real snail pace. A guide was organised to meet us, and he or she, kept calling our tour guide, who was keeping on reassuring that we would be by the Colosseum in 15 minute. Finally the arranged guide, told our guide that he or she could not wait. Police personnel were keeping on chasing away vehicles at all entry points to the stadium, where chariot racing used to take place. We never got to know why.
Finally our guide took the Onus on himself to show us around. We had a good view of the Colosseum (could not get down as vehicles were not allowed to park on that day). We wondered how cruel people could be when we learnt that the Colosseum was used to pitch the slaves against the lions.
We managed to park near the Trevi fountain at 1300 hrs.It was really amazing. The backdrop and the architecture were indeed great. A wish here, will bring you back to Rome. Our guide was clear that we could not spend more than 10 minutes here. A wish here, they say will bring you back to Rome.
Then we proceeded to The Vatican. Our guide informed that due to the traffic jam earlier, we had lost time and hence will only drive around Vatican. After my strong objections, the guide did halt for 15 minutes at the Vatican. While I knew that the Vatican is the smallest country in the world, I was certainly not prepared to see the Vatican consisting of just 3 buildings. They were certainly a good sight.
I recollected pages from "Angels and Demons" when I saw the places where the Pope elects were assasinated and decided to read the novel again to understand the Vatican better.We heard that the police in the Vatican were Swiss guards and the Church wanted the best protection for the Vatican.
We then had a real long drive to PISA. Halted at 1600 hrs for lunch at one if the Auto Grills. We had the breakfast hideaways for lunch. Had a cup of coffee (Cappuccino) out there.

We reached PISA at 1930. Had to take a long walk from the vehicle park to the monument. While the leaning tower looked great, it was not really breathtaking. This was probably because, we had seen so many pictures of the leaning tower and seeing it live, was less than great. We did enjoy a very good 30 minute, viewing the Bell tower, church and the leaning tower. We learnt that the tower has been reinforced, to avoid any mishaps for another 30 years.

Had dinner (nothing great) and checked into our hotel by 2130 hrs. The next day would be wake up at 0615 and depart at 0800 to Florence.