Firenze by night

We ventured out after dinner just on sunset, taking the No.13 bus to the top of the hill known as Michelangelo.  The No. 13 travels the same route as the No.12 only in the opposite direction, as it goes in a clockwise direction, it is better at sunset as you head into it, the sunset and the amazing views that is.

We did not expect to be alone on top of the hill, but then we did not quite expect the turn out we found on arrival, people everywhere, I likened it to the masses of terrorists that gather at sunset to watch the changing colors of Uluru in the Australian desert at sunset.  It was a great atmosphere and a group sitting on the inclining roadway applauded as the sun disappeared over the horizon, it was a beautiful sunset.

We took the No. 12 home, and found a little wine bar, come gelato shop near to the apartment, it had two doors one for either side of the business, once inside there was just the one guy serving both counters, funny thing was watching a group of young kids enter very excitedly for a late night treat with mum and dad in tow, once they had their chosen treats they went and sat in the wine bar side to enjoy them, we sat outside enjoying the passing parade, nice way to end the night.

the other side of the hill

Dave watches every sunset

nice hat Giovanna xx

Firenze - Florence what's in a name, the place is beautiful!

Thursday 13th June, we took trains to Pisa, La Spezia and finally to the seaside town Monterosso, the most northern of the five villages making up the Cinque Terre.  We left Florence at 7:00AM, the journey took around two and a half hours, on arrival we found the sun was out and warming, it would get to a high of 29C.  We took a brief walk along the coast of Monterosso, up a hill and through a tunnel in the side of a big hill, coming out the other side to the township itself.  Jo noticed a sign for a boat cruise visiting the five villages, it was a hop on hop off, as you please style tour and at 15 Euro seemed good value.  The other modes of transport between the villages is to walk along the breath taking coast or to take the train for which we had a ticket.  Taking the boat posed less walking and as I have had trouble with my back and Jo her neck, this seemed the perfect option for us, we were not disappointed to made this decision, it was wonderful way to spend our day.  We had lunch on the beach of the village Vernazza, pizza and beer on the beach, it was the yummiest pizza, it reminded me of the yummy bacon and cheese toasties my SIL Wendy makes, so YUM YUM.

Friday 14th June, had a nice long sleep in after our big day out Thursday, had breakfast around 10:30AM, then went for a hair cut whilst Jo caught up with some laundry.  Hairdresser:  "Non parlo italiano" , Jack : "Non parla inglese", very dangerous words when your getting a haircut, a little off the top translated in his mind "He wantsa a shorta haircut", sure got my money's worth for 25 Euro, I got taken out the back by a Blonde for a shampoo, wheeled back to Luigi who proceeded to whip big chunks of hair off my scalpa, then whisked out the back again by an Italian Madonna to have what I think was some conditioner thrown in, then whisked back out front for a few final touch ups and a blow dry, belissimo.

Feeling some what lighter, I dashed home, grab Jo and raced her out for lunch at a little cantina on Via Nationale, the food was fantastico, as was the vino not to mention the price, 32 Euro for three dishes, wine, sparkling water and coffees. Our waiter was a real dag, very grumpy when we got there, but Jo tried out a bit of Italian on him, he did an absolute about face from there in, and kept us entertained throughout the meal, he had a ball pulling the piss out of Giovanna.

After lunch we took a quick look at a map, decided on an area to visit and proceeded to a bus stop to catch the Number 12 bus, this was awesome value at 5 Euro for a 24 hour bus pass, but the best was to come, the bus ride was the most spectacular urban bus ride I have ever taken, taking in 300 degree views of Tuscany and the city of Florence, it was so good we are going back there tonight with a bottle of plonk and my camera, which I left at home earlier.

We have loved staying in our little apartment here, it dates back to the early 1500's and is just beautiful, the ceiling has huge teak beams holding up the floor above, it is very rustic, but modern at the same time, it has been really nicely renovated.  I am cooking dinner whilst I write this, Jo is pottering around doing a little ironing and packing stuff away, drinking a little vino all through it all, it is such a relaxed little apartment we really love it here.  I opened a nice bottle of red, it has gone down very nicely, when pouring the last glass I mentioned how quickly the wine had gone, Jo said "yeah it is such a heavy bottle hey?" what exactly the weight of the bottle had to do with the consumption rate still leaves me wondering, it was a nice drop is all!

Firenze apartment, dining, kitchen and lounge

Monterosso

nice hair cut, should last a bit!

riding number 12 bus

Chaotic Venice

I remember as a little boy the first time I learnt of Venice and being amazed at the fact that such a town existed with boats and waterways to get around rather than cars and roads.  The images back then were of peaceful waterways with people being transported by gondola's or walking hand in hand along the paths, quite a romantic scenario was conjured up.  In reality the place is a crazy mass of people moving along the paths shoulder to shoulder and clashing head on with one another, boats of all descriptions vying for enough of the waterways, to make progress either up or down stream, it is utter chaos.  The local Italians, rather than serenading and wooing any visitors, are intent on extracting as many dollars out of your pockets, as they can, it is so bloody expensive!  Then the sun starts its way down in the West and the people or should I say day trippers, start to make a mass exit for other parts of the world, this is not the best time to board one of the many overloaded vaporetta's that ferry you up and down the canals of Venice.  Once they have gone, you do find some peaceful little canals and walkways, at the restaurants it is now easier to obtain a good table and in some parts, such as San Marco Square, the bands come out to play, it is here you find the romance and beauty of Venice, something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime, Viva Italia!