Woke up refreshed this morning in beautiful setting and decided to venture to Pisa. An hour drive, roof down, factor 50 and music on!!! We easily navigated our way to a car park, greeted annoyingly by lookie lookie men we navigated our way quickly away to find the famous landmark.
Through an archway there it was, the leaning tower set amongst the grounds of the cathedral and other grand buildings. The most famous pose being photographed by hundreds of tourists, I (Louise) couldn't resist!!!! My power definitely can be seen in the photos holding up this gravity defying structure!!! A wander round we sussed out the surroundings and purchased our ticket for a 3.15pm tour of the tower and it's 294 steps!!! But first a wander around and lunch to give us the energy for the climb!!!
Sarah danced to some accordion music played by a street busker, we spotted the wi-pi spot (their pun not mine) and we sat and ate Pizza in Pisa!!!
Before our 3.15 slot we wandered around the Cathedral, amazing art work and carvings, including the remains of a Saint... Sarah was impressed by this, 'that's a real Saint in there!'
We then joined the short queue for our tower climb, they allow 45 people up every 15 minutes hence why you have to be assigned a time slot. Now if you have been reading this blog you will recall that the lighthouse in Como had about 140 steps and Sarah had to crawl at the top for the fear of falling off,or as she says "it's an age thing!"So 294 steps was going to be interesting. Anyway we climbed up the stairs which are not exposed to the outside and weirdly there were times when the climb was easier and then harder.... Something to do with the lean I suppose!!! You then do a circle on the outside... Protected by a metal fence of course before climbing the last section, Sarah didn't trust the fence so hugged the inner wall to get around and left me to take the view photos. At the top she was also happy to sit on the inner section surrounded by the large bells that are at the top. (Photos show this).
After about 20 mins we made our descent and left Pisa for 'home'. We needed a supermarket for all your holiday essentials .... Wine, beer, snacks, cheese, ham, olives oh and ingredients for dinners for the next few days as we plan to just laze around the pool! We were struggling to find something open on a Sunday but did manage to find the equivalent of B and M or The Range so a browse was in order and a few bits purchased. On the way back to the car I spotted a supermarket petrol station and on further investigation found the supermarket!!! It amazes me how they are able to hid such large structures from view!!! Mission accomplished we returned to 'home' and had our first dip in the pool and relaxed for the evening, planning our pool days!!! Today a bucket list visit is ticked off the list... Leaning Tower of Pisa.