Post #27: Florence

The view from our cabin when we awoke in Florence. Running the photographer gauntlet on way to meet Guido. (Do people really buy those pix?)

View from the window of Tuscan countryside.
Yes, they have gas stations too...but if you think the price is high at home!
This sign means 'rest room' if you are a tourist! Thanks Mickey D!

Imagine commuting down this road everyday.
Ponte Vecchio bridge as we drove by.
Commuters and tourists scurryint the streets.
And bicycles too.
Little cars like this onie can park about anywhere...and they ARE everywhere.

Security to get in to see 'David'.
The ceiling of the entrance (no cameras allowed inside...right Gerry and Lynn???)
The mob outside as we left. One guy in this crowd had his wallet lifted.
So, I wonder if they really have to lock this one up...Jay, is this the Firenze team colors?
The group waiting for me...again.

Where I bought my pin.
The view down rivier from the Ponte Vecchia.
Us on the Ponte Vecchia
Lots of gold shops.
The Ponte Vechhia from the side road.

The famous magic pig...rub its nose for fortune and wealth.
Many leather vendors.
Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenze

A close-up of the artwork on the Basilica.
Guido giving Becky and Kelly and lesson on the making of extra virgin olive oil.

Indise the leather factory.
Guido describing the process.
Very nice stuff to choose from...but not today, thanks.
We ate lunch at this Wine Shop.
Our tasting begins.

The David 'knock-off' a the view point.
Great views.
Of course this David is not in marble.
Even the lamp posts are beautiful.
The birthday girl.

One of many cyclists we saw when we got off onto the side roads.
It was quite scenic driving to Pisa.
I'm glad Guido was driving.
This is how an Itlian tour guide drives....Whatsamattahyou, eh?
You mean there is more to see here than the tower? Signs everywhere.

A tram bring visitors into the area of the tower.
The streets around the Leaning Tower. You can see the bottom of it behind the sign post.
Ah, there it is.
From another angle.
Look how worn the steps are from YEARS of visitors.

It really is a bell tower.
Rich and Lynn enjoying the view after the nice walk up.
Interesting, the shadow is leaning too.
The view from the top.
What you see as you start down.

The US Military base.
One of the 'working girls'.
The line that awaited us when we got back to the ship.

I heard a yell from the back of the line (we raced to beat a couple of buses)It was Pat, Mary, Dan, and Joe returning from their adventure. (It must have worn them out since they were 'no shows' for dinner.)

We were greeted each time back with refreshing towels to wipe off with.

The sunset over our neighboring container ship as we got ready for dinner.
The nightly meeting for cocktails.
Aren't they cute (at the base of the stairs in the main dining room)
The birthday girl is presented her cake...notice the empty seats!
Let's dig in!

The Blog:

Happy Birthday Janna…what a place to spend a birthday!
Breakfast from Aqua Spa
Met at dock at 7:45am
Guido was our guide…his name fit him perfect!
Mercedes 9 person van
He has a 5 year old son, Lorenzo.
A walking hurricane to hear Guido describe him
(Hmmm sounds like grandson Zak to me!!!)
Quite a long drive from Livorna to Florence
Lots of explanations of stuff along the way
Guido knew his stuff, and was happy to share.
Stopped at Accademia to see the ‘Real’ David
Very impressive…but no pictures (bummer)
Some people did…bad karma…not me!
Drove by lots of places but didn’t stop.
One could spend a LONG time sightseeing here.
Stopped in a central location
Saw 2nd largest Basilica in Italy (outside only)
Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenzi
Walked to Old Bridge (Ponte Vecchio)
Gold shopping…Firenze (Florence) famous for that
Lots of entertaining stuff to look at
This place has been doing the same thing for centuries
Amazing
Bought another pin for my hat.
Bought JB a birthday present.
Great little tri-color gold flower pendent.
Walked back to the Basilica to take pictures
Too bad we didn’t have more time to go inside
Very impressive building!!!
And very crowded..
Needed a WC stop.
Guido said to go across the street to the Savoy.
Walk in like we own the place, go past the desk and bar
And go down stairs
Worked perfectly!
He took us to a church that is also a leather factory.
Car could barely get in.
Had to fold in the mirrors on both sides to fit…funny.
Too pricey for our blood…besides, we bought a rug already
The other Steve saw a leather jacket…59Euro
“Honey” he said, “come here…please”
Being a ‘shopper’ she pointed out it was 590E…NOT!!!
Guido had ‘friends’ (we kept joking about that)
Went to lunch at an interesting place
I think they opened early just for us.
Crazy wine lady…in a fun way.
Wine tasting and cheese pairing…for 4
Others watched…sprite and coke
Pasta from across the street
Olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting
The olive oils all tasted the same to me
But the balsamic…well, it can be AGED TO PERFECTION!
Interesting lunch experience
Next drove to view point
Great views of Florence
Duplicate of David in parking lot…what a sculpture!
Drove around in front of other historical sites
Breathtaking, all of them.
Then headed to Pisa
Construction on road (just like at home)
Took side streets instead
Saw little neighborhoods we wouldn’t have otherwise.
Back on the ‘freeway’ then on to Pisa.
I’m not sure what I expected…but it was better than that.
It is said that if the tower falls down…well, why go there?!?
But for now it is quite the place.
JB felt it might be too claustrophobic so stayed planted on terra firma.
The tower is awesome. Great construction. Beautiful marble.
Lots of pictures!
Kelly in our group has an artificial leg…so double jointed.
At the top he twisted his knee and brought his foot up waist high and ‘kicked’ the bell
TOO FUNNY! Boy did he get some funny looks!
At the bottom had a gelotto and bought another pin (hat getting heavy)
Back in van for drive back to ship
Rural agricultural area…lots of dirt side roads.
Scantily clad girls standing at each one.
Large American airbase down the road
You do the math….
Hint…hookers will hook
Back to Ship
Worked on Blog
Met for Drinks
Dinner, just 4 (OK other 6, WHATTUP?!?)
A little disappointed with sommelier
Has taken up to 30 minutes for him to serve other tables then us
Last night I had to get up twice to get my own wine
Oh well, if that is the worst thing that ever happens to me….
Medallions of beef…OK, that made up for it!
The birthday girl had a BD cake and song…great cake.
Gee, too bad the other 6 couldn’t have joined us!!!! (more to come on this later)
Off too bed…this vacationing is HARD work.