As the recap goes on, the harder it gets, like a reluctant story to be told.

It was an early Monday morning, awfully cold, when we headed to Stansted Airport at 6ish, passing by various landmarks in London, glowing in the morning rays.

Breakfast was done in the queue to pay for luggage check-in, and the incompetence and rudeness of Ryanair staff made me wonder if they only employ the worst.

Of course, I was thrilled to have Krispy Kreme for breakfast (glazed!) accompanied by orange juice.

By the time we finally check-in and made a mad dash to the gate, we reached it 5 minutes before the supposed take off.

Unfortunately, delays are just part and parcel of budget airlines.

Like I had stated before, not that this disclaimer has to go on and on, the recap was what was supposed to be penned, but I didn’t get the chance to do so.

Thus, I would recall it as the events unfold.

The trip was to celebrate his 28th, and the first couple of days in London set it up for a rather fantastic trip.

The turning point was just before boarding when an SMS had came in, cleverly disguised in an unknown number.

Perhaps you would have already read it in the post way back then, but it was clearly the point that I knew that goodbye wasn’t far. It is easier that way. To plan your goodbye, enjoy unbridled-ly, and know very well that turning a blind eye to all the lies spun by both of them could only.. get you this far.

Anyway. I digress. Can you imagine 2 idiots smoking besides a fuelling plane?

I sat on the plane, and planned my escape route. What was frustrating is how it was glaringly obvious, yet no admissions.

And perhaps, that was the turning point.

When you decide to lose all, and ready to do so, it was actually the point when you can liberate yourself to truly understand “carpe diem“.

I bit my lip and willed it away.

3 and half hour later, I was in Italy’s embrace when we touched down at Ciampino Airport.

I thought it wasn’t gonna be easy but the charm and beauty of Italy soon made it so much easier.

I was romancing Roma. I was just so… moved to be there. And I wasn’t kidding I go everywhere and I had tears in my eyes cos I was just so awed.

I am such a pussy. Pfft.

It was a shuttle bus that took us to the Termini Stazione, and my fabulous skills of reading the map meant I could navigate around the small roads and reach the hotel with plenty of easy. Though I have to say with that distance, walking was probably not advised with the luggage.

Just wanted to chill a little, and sat by the windowside and had a breather and watch the Italian crowd buzzed by in the late afternoon in Rome.

I wrote down my thoughts.

I could feel the air turning chilly as evening approached.

Armed with a map, we ventured out into the openness of Rome, not knowing what to expect, as we hadn’t seen anything impressive on our journey from the airport…

Much of the walls were vandalized by graffiti, and I was wondering if Rome was going to disappoint me with my high expectations of it.

But Rome is a city full of surprises. When you turn from a street into a smaller, seemingly quieter street, a few steps more will bring you to the most beautiful sights ever.

The very first one that we got to, was an abandoned park near the hotel, and we decided to walk up the steps.

Little did we know, the sight that would greet us was… the Roman Coliseum in its full glory in the evening sun.

We stopped by a restaurant just opposite the road, and had the nicest Pepperoni pizza ever (there is a picture of me in the 2nd collage sitting at the restaurant).

As it was late in the afternoon, touring it wasn’t an option since the ticket booth was closed, but it was magnificently impressive just to be standing at its foot and imagine Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Angelina Jolie in there re-enacting Gladiator.

It was so beautiful.

And there were Nonny horses out there, which wouldn’t stop nibbling my buttons. The ones on my coat.

The Coliseum changes its colour from grey, to orangey.. with the white-washed Arch of Constantine erected stoically by its side.

A walk further down the road led to the Roman Forum, where the ruins and pillars could be seen and you need a little imagination to piece everything together to form a majestic picture of the past.

A statue of Julius Caesar was not far from it, and it was adorned by flowers and all… as he was assassinated on 15th March, 44 BC at the forum, thus a day before was his death anniversary.

It wasn’t too long a walk before we reached a busy junction and a majestic pure-white marble building that resembles a wedding cake.

Piazza Venezia was where we found ourselves. The piazza is at the foot of the Capitoline Hill and near the Roman Forum. It is dominated by the imposing Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. The building was much more contemporary compared to the others with rich history, and was considered “imposing” and being despised by the Romans.

And the junction in front of it is one tough bitch to cross.

Walked by various, pretty cathedrals and they were all, absolutely gorgeous.

We walked down a typical Italian backstreet, and saw the busy stalls screaming out to tourists.. and I found myself very attracted to the yellow streets.

It was when I turned my head as I came to the end of the street, that I realised I was standing in front of one of the most beautiful sights ever.

The Trevi Fountain!

It is so, so, so, so beautiful in the night. I cupped my face in disbelief and stood there to stare at the exquisite details for a long, long while.

A coin was tossed into the fountain. That should bring me back someday, hopefully with my parents and Minibean.

My brilliant navigating skills brought me to Spanish steps! Lotsa people were gathered there, though the companion was less than thrilled to realise it was literally steps that seemed insignificant to him.

It is the longest and widest staircase in Europe, but I guess for people who grow up in HDB, no staircase could be longer than what we see everyday.

Then again, HDB flats don’t have staircases which are almost 300 years old.

Passed the Palazzo Barberini which now serves as a gallery and museum, with some of Raphael’s work in there.

Trinità dei Monti was already closed by the time we got to the top of the stairs, and from there, we took the route down the slope and brought us to Triton Fountain by Bernini! A merman!

I sat by the side of the fountain for a long, long while, before heading over to one of the restaurants across the road for some fabulous Italian food.

I was determined to try Carbonara but it didn’t turn out the way I thought it would be. It was authentic Italian style but uh.. was a little salty and dry for my liking.

Nonetheless, it was a nice, cosy meal, and pretty affordable.

Left the seat and tried to convey through gestures that I wanted a cake with a candle and the staff were really fabulous with pulling it off though I didn’t think they would understand my instructions.

It was then late as we strutted down the very chilly Roma streets, before we hopped on a cab that brought us half the map across the one in our hands.

We walked half of the map that evening.

And gee, I can’t stop gushing how beautiful Rome is. Especially at night.

The night didn’t end too late, and chilling in the room was tainted by the stench from the socks.

It was the night that the slightly ajar window allowed too much cold to seep in, and I woke constantly to find a warm spot to burrow into.

Goodnight Rome.