Day two in Rome for us wasn't actually spent in Rome. It was spent in entirely a different country, Vatican city.

The first thing that grabs you about Vatican city is the Elite Swiss Guard that look after the place. Apparently Michaelangelo designed thier uniforms, and after seeing Dave, Sistene Chapel and the dome on St Peters Cathedral, they are far from his best work. I don't want to be culturally unsensitive, but to me they look like court jesters.

Anyhow, the first thing we did was wander through the Vatican museum towards the Sistene Chapel. 1500 years of Popes collecting stuff sure shows, with a mindblowing array of artifacts from ancient egypt today. Once you have seen all of this cool stuff, you enter into the corridors towards the actual Sistene Chapel.

Now I always thought the Sistene Chapel was just a free standing church with a cool painted ceiling. Not the case. There is actually a vast network of chapels and corridors, all intricately painted by other famous ninja turtles like Rafael and Donnatello, amongst others.

By the time you get to the actual Chapel, you have a sore neck from all of the looking up at all the cielings in the lead up. The big one is very good though, and its amazing to think that ol' Michealangelo had never painted in his life before he did it.

After another pizza lunch (it is nearly impossible to buy anything else in Rome, unless you want Pasta) we went back across the border to St Peter's cathedral. The best adjective I can come up with is Big. I mean really big. The top of the dome stands at a little over 130m, some 42 storeys, compared with the 31 storeys that Santos house stands at. It is said that they can jam 40,000 people inside the thing.

The catholics must have had some serious coin when they built it back in 1542, no wonder some people got crapped off and went and formed the Protestants. We have seen some big churches on our trip, but this one is the mother of all churches. As well as the gargantuan size, you have to marvel at how ornate it is inside, with works by famous artists all over the place. There is also a dead pope in there, looking in pretty good nick. Allegedly he is not embalmed, its just a miracle keeping him in tact. Apologies to any catholics, but I am skeptical.

We made the massive climb up the stairs to the top of the dome, which gives you an stunning view over all of Rome. You wouldn't want to be afraid of heights though I tell you what. The view downwards into the church is enough to give anyone vertigo.

As it turns out, there is a souvenier shop on the roof of St Peters, run by the nuns. Who'd of thunk it? I went in there hoping to find myself a good replica of the holy grail (again with the Monty Python), but they didn't have any in my sub $10 price range.

Back at the hotel, Karen and I just couldn't face anymore pizza or pasta, so we wen't to the supermarket across the road and bought some stuff to make salad. While we were there, we came across a stunning revelation, that the Italians don't have tax on alcohol. The six pack of Heinekin we bought came to about $7.50 australian. I also bought a bottle of The Glen Livet Scotch for about 28 Australian dollars (it costs about $60 at home). Wow. Like I said, Italy kicks ass.