Captains log 11/06/13 Florence! We get up insanely early to start tthe long drive to Florence, the breakfast was bad. Strange corn flakes and yoghurt. The bus trip was a 4 hour trip, the whole bus was passed out, but for some strange reason I was wide awake. Thinking to myself a great quote " minerals - your either born with them or without them, you cannot buy them, nor acquire them" it's day 9 and people are hitting the wall. I spent the whole drive looking at the amazing mountain ranges of northern Italy and listening to Liz and Levi chat like long lost friends, there a cute team. We made it to the first service stop just outside of Florence. Well I thought it was time to have a decent coffee so I got my filthy Italian on and stood at a coffee bar having 1 euro espressos like a pro! It was ok, I'm starting to think Australian coffee makers are great. Onwards, to Florence! We got there and had an hour free time before our tour started, Bella and I teamed up with brad and angi for a quick snack and a pint. Bella and I shared a meat antipasto, was all nice apart from the 5 day old bread and the chicken liver pâté that had my pallet confused. Brad and ang had a mushroom pizza. We started our walking tour at the replica of michaelangelo's David. It was impressive, and we stood around the town hall and was given brief run down on all of the lovely work. We jumped from building to building with a express trip of info, it was rushed but the lady new her stuff. When we got church, again it was amazing, this whole trip church's have been the highlight quite surprising if you ask me! We even found out that in 1938 when hilter was in Italy on tour he visited Florence and fell in love with one bridge and thus during World War Two never let it get destroyed. Who would think the guy had a bit culture. Tour was over and we went to go see the real statue of David, but the line was crazy so when we come back we will see it. At this point the meat anti pasto wasn't cutting the mustard for Bella and she was "feeling unwell" which in general her code word for I'm hungry and if you don't feed me I'm going to turn into Bruce *the shark from the movie jaws* and basically go on a blood fueled rampage. We left the group and found a really nice, slight upper market restaurant. T-bone by the gram. We were both craving steak so ordered 2 cheeky 500 grams another pint and a bottle of wine. Life's good. The steak was so good and much needed. Finally running into some good vino. Time to go! When we meet up our normal bus drive Levi had to go ahead and get his 48 hour break. European driving laws are out of control, so we have a tempt shuttle driver called John. I like to refer to him as the tours fluffer. We got to our hotel and checked in and got ready for our Tuscan feast. Like all my rules with hotels I read there silly little paper work to make sure we're not getting charged for anything extra and find the bar :)! Naturally why Bella changes 6-7 times and try's to think if she looks fat in the particular outfit. Funny thing is we only had an over night bag with one change of cloths but somehow the same routine happened. We head off for our group photo, an amazing over look over the city of Florence, breathe taking, then head hill side for the feast. A strange set up in an old building in the middle of no where. I seem to think its run by the mob and the waiters and "Dj" didn't give tony the right cut and were being punished. The food ok, the vino very decent even for 10 euro a bottle. Antipasto with a bit of this and that for starters all ok, but hand silver served old school style, I liked that. Platters of pasta, cheese lasagna, penne arabratia, I'm slightly disappointed that I haven't had fresh pasta yet. Mains was a take on tagelattia, it was average but at this point I was quite full of the vino and good conversation of the table. The Dj got Liz and Nic on stage for some Greece sing along and then everyone started dancing. At this point I was finding a get away so Bella didn't try swing dance with me, my feet only just recovered from the moulin rouge. Dessert was biscotti biscuits with a lovely dessert wine. Everyone was very merry! Back on the bus and the vote went around on who wanted to go out, after a little prod Bella agreed to come for just one or two. Liz again taking us on some unknown walk to a bar! It was cool, karaoke and a decent crowd. Feeling a little ballys I decided my first stien for the trip was in order! Even with all the glares and frowns from the boss! It was good. Good people good beer some average live singing , the good old fashion don't stop believing sing along! At this point it was time to call it quits, we left. Feeling slightly defeated from the nights proceedings I wanted to walk a bit before getting a taxi. We got lost and confused and angry. An hour and a half later we finally got home, after running into a group from the bus and flagging down cyclist to call cabs for us. Sad note to a good day. We both grumpy and sleepy, we hit the pillow hard ready for the drive to Rome!!!