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Singapore

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Singapore is clean, well organised, humid and compact.  It makes you feel you have your bearings very quickly.  We have had a great time using the Singapore Stopover vouchers which have given us free use or entry to the hop on hop off bus, entry and two event options on Sentosa Island, a riverboat cruise, the Singapore Flyer (same as the London Eye) and many more options that we have been just too hot and tired to take up. We found the food in China Town offers plenty of choice at reasonable prices. Alcohol is another matter entirely.   High tea at Raffles was a highlight.  A buffet of fresh fruit and savoury items as well as a selection of fresh sandwiches and sweets and as much tea, beautifully presented, as you could want. The ambiance, including a harpist, was lovely and good value compared to Langham's in Melbourne. Paul has really enjoyed the historical parts of Singapore; the colonial  buildings and especially information on the fall of Singapore i...
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Last Day in Roma

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Our last day in Rome was relatively leisurely.  We strolled to the Trevi Fountain which was lovely, but very crowded.  We then walked up Michaelangelo's steps behind the gigantic Wedding Cake Memorial.  We were once again near the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus, which meant we had a long walk back to our hotel.  After a rest we walked the Corso for some retail therapy and then found a local place for a drink and dinner.  We have enjoyed our time in Italy but look forward to seeing everyone at home.
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The Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine Hill

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It was another relatively early start for us as we had to be at the Colosseum before 9am for our 3.5 hour tour.  The weather is hot so we were glad it was a morning tour.  Our guide was an archeologist and we were very grateful when she took us to an entry point away from the teeming crowds of people lining up to get a ticket.  It was an excellent tour and helped to dispel a few myths (Christians were not fed to lions at the Colosseum) and clarify what is known and what is still conjecture.  It is a massive structure, even today and enough of its original features exist for you to imagine how it would have looked and operated.  The platform to indicate the floor of the arena is really helpful and the example of wooden pulleys and ramps to bring gladiators and animals up from below was great. The Forum was also interesting we were able to see where Julius Caesar was cremated and the various basilicas that still remain.  On the Palatine Hill, we saw where ...
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