August 24, 2013.
During the night we went back to Kansas, so to speak. The view from our cabin in the Livorno harbor was a bit different than from Monte Carlo. We saw a ferry loaded with families headed out for day on Corsica, locals fishing off the end of the pier, working fishing boats plying their trade (not in the picture). It was night and day from what we had left the previous evening.
The options for the day were Florence (a couple of hour train ride), Pisa, or Lucca. We decided to see if we could get a taxi to take us to Lucca for the day. We found Stefano, who would take six of us to Lucca for 280 Euros, a good price compared to the excursions hosted by Holland America. Off we headed through the beautiful Tuscan countryside. It is sunflower season and Stefano drove us into a field (literally) for a photo-op. We can see why Tuscany captures the hearts of people who visit.
On the way to Lucca, Stefano asked us why not stop in Pisa for a bit to see the famous tower. We said sure and he brought us directly to the square where the tower dominates the skyline. That is one of the advantages of hiring a taxi. He can take us into the areas where busses and even private cars cannot operate. As you would expect It was mobbed with tourists. And as you would also expect, a big tourist site like this, has people selling souvenirs (junk), hawkers selling watches (Rolexes for 10 euro) or sunglasses, and cafes with aggressive people herding you inside. I (Chuck) estimate that 100,000+ pictures a day are taken of the tower. Some significant fraction of them are people posing as if they are holding the tower up. It is an iconic site. And the buildings around it are also stunning.
The tower framed with pine trees and bicycles. Caroline and Katy caught the leaning disease.
Church with the tower in the background. A baptistery in front of the church.
After Pisa we headed off to Lucca. It is a beautiful town old walled town with old buildings, narrow winding streets, and shops. It was busy on a Saturday with both tourists and locals shopping and looking at the sites. I am sure Lucca is filled with history and interesting stories, but we just wandered the streets and soaked in the culture and ambience. I am not sure why, but we saw lots of families with children walking the streets. I wonder if they were local Italians out for a nice Saturday with their families in Lucca. We had asked Stefano for a good restaurant (non-tourist) where we could get a good lunch. He suggested one and we had a wonderful lunch of boiled beans (WAY better than it sounds), bruschetta (we learned that the sch sound is hard, not soft—pronounce it brusketta), pasta, and wine. So far, it was the best meal we have had.
Bicycling side note. As I (Chuck again) was wandering the streets I saw banners and small posters advertising what I took to be the world championship bicycle race in September. I asked a couple of shopkeepers about it, but they could't understand me well enough. Near the end of day we were meeting to return to the boat and while I was waiting I notice a bike shop.
So, I wandered in and asked them. Sure enough, the 2013 World cycling championships start about 50 yards from this shop, in the main square of the old town.
They finish in Florence 120+ miles later. And, to make it even sweeter, the bike shop owner had designed a jersey especially for the event and I bought one. There won't be many Americans with that jersey out on the road.
We piled into the taxi and headed back to the ship. Our guide and driver for the day, Stefano, did a great job. He really did add value to the transportation. And, it was way cheaper than taking a Holland America excursion would have been. We have done this now 4 times on different cruises and have been successful each time. The trick is to find someone who speaks good English and seems outgoing and friendly. We were all tired, and hot and sticky, after our day, but happy.
Our evening was the show (an abbreviated Prairie Home Companion show (Lives of the Cowboys, Guy Noir, music, and the news from Lake Woebegone), dinner, and entertainment. While Caroline went to get dance instruction for the contest, I went to see Butch Thompson, a ragtime and blues pianist. I had the best seat in the house—a bar stool at the piano. It was a good evening. Since we were headed for Rome pretty early the next morning, we headed for bed at about 11 PM.
Another great day of vacation.