Rome to Venice!!

Day two in Rome was basically a free day. We were all taken into the city by train to the Vatican. Most of the group then did their vatican tour while the rest of us had free time in the city. Me and a few people wandered around looking at markets and slowly making our way from the Vatican to the Spanish Steps. It was really nice and good to just go at our own pace for a change. We were able to stop when we wanted and look at what we wanted.

We got back to the camp around 5.30pm ready for our Whiteboard party night. We all bought white I love Roma t-shirts and made them all into our own style which was fun. Then the aim was to have everyone from our tour leave us a little message. It turned out to be a really cool memento!!

It ended up another big night which ended with the staff actually having to make us leave the dancefloor because the were closing. Turned out to probably be a good thing as the next morning we left early for Venice.

My suitcase seems to have almost doubled in size and now im a little concerned about how I will get everything home. It took ages to pack and im now having to sit on my case to close it. At least in Rome they had a laundry service so I got to get my first washing done since I left Aus (not including me washing my clothes in the shower ever second day!!).

The trip to Venice was a long one. 3 and a half hours back to Florence as well as a 45 minute rest stop. Then 2 hours from Florence to Bologna, where we only got to stop for another 45 minutes. Then 2 more hours onto our site in Venice. We swapped drivers back over in Florence though so Majic is back with us again.

It was a big driving day, but the countryside in this part of Italy is amazing. Rolling hills, old buildings and just so much character!! I love it.
After getting to Venice we didnt have long to settle in before dinner, then we had our beach party!

There were 5 contiki tours currently at this campsite, so we had a bit of a competition at the party which included Sumo wrestling, Tug of War, Oily abs for the men and wet t-shirt for the girls. With cheap drinks and so many people it was always going to be a good night. Before the wet tshirt comp they sprayed all of us with a hose so everyone was soaking!! Considering most of us have 'Contiki cough' probably not a great idea, but seemed like a good idea at the time!!!

The next day in venice we caught a motoscarfi (ferry) over to the actual city. I wasnt doing any optional activities until later that afternoon so I had a free morning.

We went and saw a glass blowing demo in the morning which was pretty cool. But the prices were completely ridiculous... Then we went and got lost in the city. Somehow we ended up lost in the Venice ghetto. I showed someone a map asking where we were, and he pointed to about 5 inches off the map... After some usefull ipod compass assistance, we found our way back in time for a nap in the park.

In the afternoon we met back up for our gondola rides. It was so much fun. We had some champagne and got rowed around the little canals. Me and seren had bubbles to set the scene. It was one of my favorite things yet.

That night was going to be a quiet one, but after the champas on the gondola, we got in the mood again. Needless to say it turned out big once again. I made a bet with the tour manager and old driver that our old driver could beat Joel at a strawpedo. If we won, joel had to spend the next day in his undies. If we lost, me and laura were allowed to wear anything but clothes for the whole next day. Sadly, there was no competition and pete got his butt kicked!!! Therefore it was garbage bag dresses for me and Laura the next day. We got to bed quite late and had another really early start. Its starting to get quite hard to keep up. All we are eating it bread, pasta and carbs. Vegies would be soooo good!!!