August 19/2011, my birthday, we took the fast train from Florence to Rome. Above is St. Peter's and the Vatican.
The view out from the steps of St. Peter's. over St. Peter's Square
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| The Sistine Chapel, originally built in 1484, decorated by Michelangelo among others. |
The walls of the Chapel are covered by works of art by artists including such notables as Botticelli and Signorelli.
The Last Judgement by Michelangelo
Spectacular ceiling work and the remarkable "Genesis" by Michelangelo.
Wall murals.
Ibid.
The Sistine Chapel is housed in the Vatican Museums complex. Every inch of this 5.5 hectare complex is crammed with art.
Along the Tiber River, central Rome.
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| At the base of the Spanish Steps |
The Spanish Steps .
The Roman Colosseum, completed in A.D. 80 by the Emperor Titus.
The Palatine, home of the Emperors, and in the foreground the site of the
"Circus Maximus" where chariot races were held.
Back in Tuscany preparing to head off north. A picture with my
favorite sister-in-law Paula.
At the town of Lenno on Lake Como, northeast of Milan near the Swiss
border.
Fellow travellers at the campsite in Lenno, and an older Motoguzi.
At Lugano on Lake Lugano across the border in the Italian speaking part of
Switzerland.
The town of Bellinzona north of Lugano.
On the way to Italy I took the 18 km. long Gotthard Tunnel. On my return
north I decided to to take the old route up over the mountain passes. The above
photo was taken at the top of Gotthard Pass, 2108 meters.
The view north down from Gotthard Pass.
Into the valley below.
Camping near Realp for the night.
Early morning rise. Fellow biker Kevin Morris from Wales and the twisty
road up up Furkapass in the distance.
On the switchbacks on the way up to Furkapass.
The summit, Furkapass, elevation 2431 meters. Gorgeous day!!
Way down the valley and the serpentine road up to Grimsel Pass in the
distance.
Down into the valley. The roads were excellent!
Up to Grimsel Pass.
Grimsel Pass, elevation 2165 meters. Most passes have a chalet - restaurant at
the top. Very relaxing.
Some beautiful country on a glorious day.
The chalet at the top of Sustenpass, elevation 2224 meters.
Stopped for a plate of spaghetti and a coke, 20 US dollars. The view was
great, and the company of fellow bikers fine.
The road down from Susten Pass.
Much better than the switchbacks of central Asia the previous summer!
Idyllic Swiss countryside.
Back in Heidelberg a couple of days later. Left the motorcycle at Knopf Tours
for shipment to Orlando Florida in early February of 2012. Returned to Canada on
August 24/ 2011 after 3.5 months and a trip of 17,000 kms. from Central Asia to
Western Europe.
B-Rome, C-Florence, D- Lenno, E-Lugano, F-Swiss Passes and G-Heidelberg. 1700 kms.
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