Well today was just a great day!
We both woke up super early, about 5.00 am and each stayed really quiet hoping not to wake up the other. It was at about 6.00am we realised were were both awake so we were up and at it and ready to go!
We had a few things planned today and didn't think we'd get them all done, but due to our early start we had all our main touristy things done by lunch time.
First cab off the rank was to go to the Galleria dell Academia where the famous statue of David is displayed. While I must admit I wasn't really jumping out of my skin to go to an art gallery, this statue really impressed me with its size, history and sculpting skill. As for the rest of the gallery? Let's just say I didn't cry when we left, but it wasn't really a tough hour.
The queue outside the gallery at 8.05 in the morning.
At the state of David with Jen.
The 5m statue is incredibly impressive.
Next stop for the day was an open top bus ride around Florence, which was great. We chose to sit up on top, and although it was a crystal clear day they still had the roof on. Despite this, and the fact that it was also extremely cold, we really enjoyed touring the city and getting a running commentary via the headphones that you plug in.
The trip was pretty hairy for most of the ride because the traffic here is horrendous and it amazes us that there aren't more accidents. For instance, pedestrian crossings are just lines on the road. Cars do not stop for you. It is like Russian roulette trying to cross the road. Cars just race around the streets, which are so narrow, and with people walking on the road as the footpaths are so narrow, once again we can't believe more people are killed.
With this in mind we had a funny experience on our bus tour. As we were driving down yet another narrow street, one that a bus just fitted into anyway, we came across a delivery truck blocking the way. The driver asked him to shift his truck a bit, so he started reversing...straight into the front of the bus. Jen and I were sitting in the front seats at the top, so we had a great view of it all. The truck didn't hit us hard, but enough to make a crash sound and do a little bit of damage. But what happened next left us baffled. The driver of the truck didn't stop to inspect the damage and neither did the bus driver. They didn't even stop to talk, the bus driver just kept going on with the tour!! This must be taken for granted all the time!!
The rest of the tour went without incident, although a fe traffic incidents left us holding our breath as they all tend to drive here by the seat of their pants.
Part of an ancient wall from historical times.
The types of narrow streets our bus raced down. All was fine until we came across parked cars and trucks, or traffic coming the opposite way!!
These two cyclists just kept riding along happily in front of the bus without a care in the world about what was right behind them.
There are so many small cars here in the city as parking is so desperate. This little one seater was just about swallowed by our bus.
After this hair raising episode we took off to try and climb either the dome of the Cathedral or the Bell Tower next to it. Upon getting to the cathedral we discovered that the dome climbs were booked out for the next two days, so I tackled the Bell Tower instead.
414 steps up a winding, narrow staircase had me puffing but I was grateful for any sort of exercise.
The hardest part was when passing people coming the opposite way as it was so narrow that two people could hardly pass each other without squeezing against the wall.
The climb however was well worth it as the pictures show.
The Giotto Bell Tower, all 414 steps.
The narrow climb p the stair wells.
Stuck behind some slowpokes!!
Just one view of Florence, from every angle and direction it was just beautiful.
Looking down at the queue that I was in just a short time ago.
Looking across to the Cathedral dome.
Another view of Florence.
People on the Cathedral Dome.
Looking down from the top of the Belltower to down below.
The queue that I was in is now getting bigger.
Feeling chuffed after doing the tower, even with my stuffed knees and ankles!
So, we had a few things planned and nailed them all well before the day was half over, so we went and found a nice restaurant that specialised in gluten free food ( for Jen) and boy were we treated to an outstanding meal at a great price. We were just about the first people in, and by the time we left it was packed, a sure sign of a good place.
We both went for the pizzas, which doesn't sound that all adventurous to our Australian friends, but God Italian pizzas are just something else. They are not thick and doughy like the ones in Australia. As for toppings, they aren't laid on as thick either, but the flavour is something else. A beautiful chocolate dessert and we were on our way again.
As I said yesterday, we have been going at a cracking pace, so we went back to our digs just to rest up for an hour as we were both knackered.
This really freshened us up so we headed out again and managed to get some quick visits in at an old Church and also the Cathedral, which was totally unplanned. You see, there is a queue a mile long all day to get into the Cathedral, but as it was near closing time we were able to get in with only a 5 minute wait and for free.
The ceiling in the Cathedral. Although very ornate outside, the inside is considerably drab apart from this.
Looking towards the back of the Cathedral.
The cathedral altar.
The Cathedral with the Belltower on the right.
Just because we had renewed energy after a good lunch and a little bit of rest we kept going for a few more hours walking around the city. Yesterday we went to the Ponte Vecchio Bridge which is a major tourist attraction, so we headed there again to see what it was like at night, and we were not disappointed at all. The crowds in the street were massive, adding to an amazing atmosphere.
Another Piazza, another tower!!
The outdoor eating area of a restaurant, complete with fur blankets to keep the customers warm.
The streets are packed heading up the Ponte Vecchio bridge.
Jen is suitably rugged up to ward off the cold, and today was a cold one!!
A view from the bridge at dusk, which was about 5.00 pm!!
A view from the other side of the bridge.
A light show was being played on the bridge itself.
Some of the street decorations, the photos just do not show how beautiful they really are.
A building adorned with lights in one of the many piazzas.
Another piazza.
And to finish off tonight, my new socks travelled with me today. Here we are just near the Florence Cathedral, who knows where they will appear next!!
Also, you can leave a comment, there have only been a few brave souls who have done that so far, so any feedback is always appreciated.
Tomorrow is New Years Eve, so a very Happy New Year to you all.
Until my next post...
Cheers!!
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