N559AS

I was very fortunate to be able to ride on the delivery flight for our New Generation Boeing 737-800, tail number N559AS. As you can see, it's ETOPS certified. HNL here we come!

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I thought that it wasn't gonna be anything special, but boy was I wrong. After a very steep climb out of Boeing Field, we cruised up to the Washington peninsula, then headed south to Mt. Rainier. It was cloudy most of the one hour ride, but once we lowered to 15,500 ft, we cleared the clouds and circled Mt. Rainier. This was the closest any commercial jetliner can get. It was so close you could see all the crevices and valleys in the glaciers. We flew even closer than the Horizon flights get. Below are the pictures of the unforgettable ride.











Lisa enjoying the view

The Colosseum

The Colosseo, built in AD 80, was an arena for gladiator contests and public spectacles. The Flavian Amphitheater, its actual real name was built to hold and estimated 80,000 cheering fans.

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The Exterior. The Romans pioneered the use of arches. They stacked stone blocks without mortar into the shape of the arch, which as temporarily supported by wooden scaffolding. Lastly, a keystone was wedged into the top of the arch, it not only kept the arch from falling, but was able to support many times its weight. The second level arches were adorned with Greek statues. Today, only one third of the original Colosseum stands. Earthquakes destroyed some, but most was carted off as easy precut stone for other Middle Age and Renaissance buildings.

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The Interior. We entered at what I think of as the "50 yard line". We could see the underground passages beneath the "playing" surface. Wild animals were housed in these catacombs. Like the arenas of today, the seats were built on a slant upwards. Originally, the brick seats were covered in plaster, or even marble. During inclining weather, a enormous canvas awning would be hoisted by sailors to provide protection-- the first domed stadium in history. The Colosseum was inaugurated in a 100 day festival, which was attended by citizens from across the Empire. It is said that in access of 5,000 animals were killed in the games. The stench of the kill was masked by perfume. Ave, Cesare! (Hail Caesar)

The Roman Forum

Foro Romano, the Roman Forum was the political, religious and commercial center of the city. The most important temples and justice halls were located here.

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The Arch of Titus.

The arch commemorated the Roman victory over the province of Judaea (Isreal) in 70 AD.

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The Basilica of Constantine. Still standing is only a third of the massive hall of justice.

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The Forum's Main Square. This is where Rome began, rubble now, imagine it in all it's splendor. High marble columns, shining bronze roofs, rows of statues, and chariots racing down the (still standing) Via Sacra. Wow, Julius Caesar actually walked here!

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The Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina. Built in AD 160, by Emperor Antoninus for his beloved wife Faustina, after his death the temple became a monument to both.

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Temple of Castor and Pollux. Dedicated to the Dioscuri twins, who were brothers of Helen of Troy. Castor and Pollux came to Rome's aid in the battle against the Etruscans in 499 BC, and revered as patrons of the Republic.

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Temple of Vesta. Ancient Rome's most sacred spot. Within the round walls, burned a sacred fire, kept buring by the Vestal Virgins. The fire symbolized the eternity of the State.

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The Arch of Septimius Severus was built in AD 203, and honors the Emporer for his victories in Mesopotamia.

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Temple of Saturn. Erected to honor the god of harvest and prosperity

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Musei Vaticani, continued

The following are pictures of paintings on the ceilings of the buildings leading to the Sistine Chapel.

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Keep going...Almost there....

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Raphaels, The Disputa. Christ and the saints in heaven are overseeing a discussion of the Eucharist by the mortals below.

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The School of Athens, another masterpiece from Raphael. This fresco symbolizes the spirit of the Renaissance. Displaying the rebirth of classical art, learning, discovery and the optimistic spirit that man is a rational creature. In the center, Plato and Aristotle. Plato points up to the spiritual world, while Aristotle points down to the earth. Raphael painted himself in the fresco, he is at the far right, in the black beret.

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The Stanza of the Borgo Fire. This fresco shows Pope Leo IV imparting his blessing, as the city burns outside the wall. Fleeing the fire with his father, Anchises on his back and son following is the hero Aeneas.

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The final sign before entering the Sistine Chapel. Please notice the warnings. NO PHOTO and SSSHHHH. (the tall guard kept saying as we viewed the most beautiful fresco in the world)

Well, that's it. No photography allowed, and "silence is golden" in the Chapel.

Musei Vaticani, the Vatican Museum

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After receiving the Popes blessing, it was on our way to the Vatican Museum. The line was very long, but did move fast. This was just the beginning of the line.

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"Assholes". What I blurted out to the Italian tourists that cut in front of us. After being in line for about 30 minutes, up pulls a tour bus, the door opens, and out they come. They just merged right in front of us. After trying to tell them the line is all the way back, and to get back there, they just kept merging. Assholes.

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The Roman Pinecone at the entrance to the Museum

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The Museum begins with the Egyptian Room. Here is an ancient sarcophagus

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A well preserved Mummy. She died three millennia ago. Her disemboweled organs were placed into the jars below, called Canopic Vases.


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View of the "new wing", housing classical sculptures.

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The Laocoon. The most famous Greek statue in ancient Rome. It depicts Laocoon, a Trojan High Priest and his two sons struggling with the serpents send by the goddess Athena, as punishment for warning Troy about the evils of the Trojan Horse.

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Keep going, we're almost there!

Piazza San Pietro, St. Peters Square

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Lisa had emailed ahead so we could attend a Mass with Pope Benedict II. It was so awesome to be sitting in the middle of the square and being blessed by the Pope.

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The crowd keeps growing. Notice our ticket numbers.

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The Pope's apartment. Last window on the right, top floor.

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Cappella Sistina, the Sistine Chapel

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Pope Benedict XVI arrives in his "Pope Mobile" and the audience goes wild, especially his compatriots

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I am truly blessed to have been in such an awe aspiring place.

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This was without a doubt the best part of my Roma experience.