Day 23

Day 23 - Pisa to Genoa Wednesday 21st July

Out early this morning to visit the Museo del Bargello - more antiques and ancient artworks including some Donatello sculptures. The queue to get into Santa Maria del Flore was a mile long and we had a train to catch so we couldn't go in.
Off to Pisa for a two hour stop before moving on to Genova. Guess what we went to see?? Had an original inspiration to get a photo of me trying to push the tower up straight. By the time I turned around, everyone was doing it! Boy, the Leaning Tower really does lean but it is a magnificent structure - much more impressive than I imagined.

Genova turned out to be a rather lively and interesting city. Its streets are quite hilly and its port is magnificent. They spared no expense in 1990 in developing the port to celebrate the anniversaryof their favourite son, Christopher Columbus.
At the port you get:
*lots of live music (including Xavier Rudd) and performances
*a biosphere ( a big glass ball that appears to be floating in the harbour) which is an experiment in recreating an ecosystem with flora and fauna.
*a massive installation of white poles fanning out from the water. On one side it supports a huge camopy for the restaurant area and on the other side it supports a thing called a 'Bigo' which is a capsule that takes you to the heavens for magnificent views.
* a very impressive 'pirate ship' made by Roman Polanski for his move 'il pirate'.

Day 22

Day 22 Florence Tuesday 22nd July

The digs were pretty basic for the pardres in this convent of (believe it or not) 'San Francesco' at the top of Fiesole, a mountain near Florence. The tiny church was peaceful and had a number of fascinating displays - including a real mummy! There was also a pair of mummified severed hands!

But the big story from today was that we finally stood toe to toe with Michelangelo's 'David'!! And a very impressive young man he is too! Much larger than I expected and his presence certainly dominated the entire domed gallery in which he is housed. Strangely enough, the Galleria dell Accademia is a most unremarkable building. We did have to queue up for over an hour, but it was well worth it.
On the walk back we visited the incredible Chiesa di Santa Maria del Flore which has the most stunning exterior of any basilica we have seen. Its massive walls are decorated from top to bottom with ornate sculptures and intricate stone work.
Magic moment: just as we arrived, a classical trumpet resonated outside the church and across the piazza. The acoustics were perfect!! Unfortunately the police were onto it immediately but they had no choice but to acknowledge the talent as the whole piazza erupted into applause for this virtuoso performance.































The policemen leaving the scene.

Galleria dell Accademia

Day 21

Day 21 Florence Monday 19th July

Florence certainly lived up to its reputation as a beautiful, clean and cultured city.
Set off on foot for the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge (see photo) and then puffed our way uo to the Piazzale Michelangelo where a lage bronze replica of "David" overlooks the city. The view across the city churches and the Arno River is, as they say in the travel guides, 'memorable'.

After a big feed of spaghetti we took a night bus ride around the sights. Extended our stay for three nights - mainly because the Uni Corno hotel has such fantastic breakfasts!

Day 20

Day 20 Bari to Florence Sunday 18th July

Well... Debbie squished down on ther floor in front of our seats and got a relatively goodnight's sleep - apart from the occessional waft of smelly feet!!

HICCUP NO 2: the train system here can be somewhat haphazard. We thought we had booked tickets to Florence but our tickets ran out at Rimini. We were put off at Chesa after a lovely day's ride up the east coast of Italy - hours of white sandy beaches, trillions of colourful umbrellas all in rows, camping grounds etc. Caught a 'packed' local train to Bologna. We were literally crushed in, standing up pushed up against sweaty bodies and no air!! Had tea at Bologna and were treated to a comfortable, 1st class air-conditioned trip to Florence. Finally arrived at 10.30pm.

PHOTOS:

*From the train - wheat fields, grape vines, beaches.
*Debbie asleep again. She has managed to be awake for some bits.

Day 19

Day 19 - Piraeus to Bari by ferry

Another day of travel - Piraeus to Patras. Had our first hiccup today. On the train to Patras, we decided to take a risk by jumping off at Corinth and going off the beaten track to the small Greek coastal village of Monemvasia which was recommended by the Lonely Planet guide. Had to take a 10 Euro taxi ride to the bus station which was located in the middle of nowhere.
Found out we would have to wait 4 1/2 hours for the bus which would not arrive until very late at night in Monemvasia. There was no internet access at this windy, dirty god forsaken bus station so we couldn't even book a place to stay. What's more, we experienced our first Greek rudeness - no-one wanted to help or talk to us and one bloke even completely ignored me!! So, afer another 10 Euro, it was back to the train and off to Patras. Some risks just don't pay off!!!
Made it just in time to book airseats for the overnight ferry to Bari (Italy).
Yes, I know what your thinking...Debbie and airseats?!! A cabin was ridiculously expensive, so Debbie's giving it one more go! Oh dear...this could get ugly!!!

Some of the scenery from the bus to patras

Dining while sailing into the sunset....

Day 18

Santorini to Pireaus - Friday 16th July
It was a bit sad to be leaving Santorini. We have had such a fabulous time here...could have stayed forever!! I'm not sure it will be here forever though. The Lonely Planet Europe guide says it's hard to imagine a more 'impermanent and precarious' place on Earth, given it's frequent history of earthquakes and volcanoes.

As you can see, Debbie is beside herself in anticipation of the next leg of our epic journey!! Honestly, you can't take her anywhere!







This photo was taken as we sailed off from Santorini - you just have to pretend to see the cliffs through the portholes.



It's a full day's trip back to Pireaus (Athens port). The Aegean Sea is throwing us around a bit!!

Day 17

Santorini - Thursday 15th July

As you can see, we are doing it tough. Had tea at sunset in Oia on the northern tip of the island. Oia is famous for its sunsets! Front row seats with a billion dollar view!! Good food too!

Took the motorbike for a trip down to Red Beach. You have to climb over a rocky outcrop and there in front of you is a red cliff, dark sand and display of red and blue umbrellas. The mobile phone photo doesn't pick up the colours unfortunately.
The water here was unbeliveably clear and warm - even Debbie stayed in for ages.