Mooning around the Mediterranean

[drron29]

Now walking from the bus to Pisa. We met a local gude here who was excellent and a lot of fun.

 

 

[drron29]

 

We entered the Bapistry.

 

[drron29]

 

[drron29]

The church knows how to make money. The audio visual guide costs 2 euros,

 

Now we walk to the Cathedral.

 

[drron29]

The paintings were done by students at the local Art studio in the 18th and 19th centuries.

 

[drron29]

 

 

The pulpit was made by one man.

 

And for JP scantily dressed females.

 

But others might like the male figure.

 

And finally outside again.

 

[Mr Luxury]

So much religion that I think I'll have a day off church tomorrow.  

[drron29]

Then we walked around the Cathedral to the Fawlty Tower.

 

This part of the Cathedral is being cleaned by hand. So far it has taken 7 years.

 

Note on the roof tiles are only on the side that was facing the sea. This side was on the sea when built. The side facing away from the sea didn't get salt laden breezes hence is metal.

 

Then the Tower comes into sight.

[drron29]

5 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

So much religion that I think I'll have a day off church tomorrow.  

I'm a very naughty boy and every Sunday is a day off church. So much so in the last 2 censuses done in Australia I put my religion as Shinto. I do admire my forebears and Shinto allows you to have any other religion you wish.

But again back to the Church and history.

 

The Cathedral used stones and decorations from Roman ruins as above.

 

Now most people take pictures showing people holding up the Tower. We prefer pictures showing how easy it is to push a tower over.

 

Now I did briefly consider climbing the 294 stairs to the top but a 20 euro fee to do so seemed ridiculous.

 

[jpalbny]

6 minutes ago, drron29 said:

Now I did briefly consider climbing the 294 stairs to the top but a 20 euro fee to do so seemed ridiculous.

 

We did do the climb 10+ years ago. The problem is that you need to reserve a time slot and if you're there on a ship's tour you rarely have enough time, because all the times are sold out for many hours in advance. I think it was our second visit, and it wasn't crowded because it was November. So we ran to the ticket booth as soon as we arrived, and luckily there was a slot available not too far in the future, before the bus left!

 

It's worth the entry fee because (in our opinion), it's a real trip to climb the spiral staircase while it's at such an angle! So steep on one side, such a gentle incline on the other. Disorienting almost. Worth skipping lunch for! 😉

Edited April 15, 2023 by jpalbny

[drron29]

 

The tower isn't the only structure to lean. The Baptistry leans 0.5 degrees in the opposite direction to the Tower that leans 5 degrees. It was closed for many years until an International team came up with a plan to slightly decrease the lean but also to stabilise it.

 

[mysty]

@drron29, you seem to enjoy looking up!  😁  I'm also a big fan of interesting ceilings.   I'm really enjoying your! 😁

[drron29]

We were now walking back to the meeting point but taking a detour around the local area.

 

[drron29]

[drron29]

A building that is basically falling down.

 

 

You get views of planes taking off from Pisa airport.

 

And now back on the bus.

 

You pass several yacht builders. A canal runs behind those buildings.

 

[drron29]

 

Then past a US Army base where alot of the equipment for Ukraine transits.

 

And on the outskirts of Livorno a large Petro chemical place.

 

[drron29]

An old church.

Then the harbour.

 

 

Then back on board for lunch at Kaiseki,

 

[Azulann]

Love the  Cathedral of Pisa.

Galileo  taught  at the university . Legend has  it that he was sitting in the cathedral  and looking a the swaying lamps   when his mind turned to gravity etc...

I am enjoying your report.

[Mr Luxury]

17 hours ago, drron29 said:

I'm a very naughty boy and every Sunday is a day off church. So much so in the last 2 censuses done in Australia I put my religion as Shinto. I do admire my forebears and Shinto allows you to have any other religion you wish.

But again back to the Church and history.

 

The Cathedral used stones and decorations from Roman ruins as above.

 

Now most people take pictures showing people holding up the Tower. We prefer pictures showing how easy it is to push a tower over.

 

Now I did briefly consider climbing the 294 stairs to the top but a 20 euro fee to do so seemed ridiculous.

 

Don't give me that old excuse about money it's the 294 stairs that did for you.😀

[Mr Luxury]

17 hours ago, jpalbny said:

 

We did do the climb 10+ years ago. The problem is that you need to reserve a time slot and if you're there on a ship's tour you rarely have enough time, because all the times are sold out for many hours in advance. I think it was our second visit, and it wasn't crowded because it was November. So we ran to the ticket booth as soon as we arrived, and luckily there was a slot available not too far in the future, before the bus left!

 

It's worth the entry fee because (in our opinion), it's a real trip to climb the spiral staircase while it's at such an angle! So steep on one side, such a gentle incline on the other. Disorienting almost. Worth skipping lunch for! 😉

It was so long ago that I climbed the tower that it wasn't leaning.

[drron29]

That night we were off to La Terraza. The menu..

 

As usual you receive an antipasti plate soon after seated plus a glass of prosecco if you wish.

 

Now the wines for the night. Both very acceptable.

 

[drron29]

Now to the food.Rojaan started with the carpaccio and I the octopus salad.

 

She then had the king prawns and I the mediterraneum sea bass.

 

Service was slow so we decided against desserts.

[drron29]

The next morning it was off to Atlantide for breakfast. We both started with some fruit and a danish pastry and coffee.

 

Then Rojaan had a small mushroom omelette and I enjoyed eggs benedict plus grilled tomatoes.

 

Then a lazy morning as it was raining a lot. Livorno is a very busy port and lots of coming and going.

 

And a rainbow..

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

Just behind the ship was some activity happening. A small boat let out a line with white rafts plus a diver. The rafts were removed and after a while the diver resurfaced,put a large black object into the boat. Hopped in and off they went.

 

Meanwhile we refueled.

 

And surf boat training going on.

 

[spinnaker2]

On 4/15/2023 at 4:14 PM, drron29 said:

We were now walking back to the meeting point but taking a detour around the local area.

 

Thanks for the wisteria!