Monday, December 26, 2016

Livorno then onward to Florence

It was dark as the ship sailed slowly into Livorno Harbor. I like to get up before the sun and have the ship all to myself for a while.



This, on deck 7-the Promenade deck - is another small section for smokers, hence the ashtrays on the wall




A tug from the harbor has attached itself to us to  act as a brake should our engines fail in the tight confines of the harbor.








As we are leaving the ship, soon after docking, to travel to Florence we have a room service breakfast delivered. Then we have to join the other excursioneers in one of the dining rooms. Not all of these people are coming with us to Florence, thankfully. We will all fit into one bus.


Here we are on that bus, driving through the vast docklands complex




Once free of the docks we join the highway to Florence and get our first glimpses of Tuscan countryside


Harnessing the energy from the Sun with a huge Solar Panel array


Fertile fields



Rustic farmhouses appear along the roadside



and small towns appear





After an hour of driving we are on the outskirts of Florence


Although we will see many beautiful historic buildings I am just as interested in the everyday buildings that people live and work in.





Everyday life as another day begins in Firenze/Florence






We cross the Arno River. Now we are getting excited!






Early morning traffic as people go to work





As it is early in the morning, around 9 a.m, our bus is able to get us within walking distance of our first stop. Much later in the day for the return journey to our ship we will have to walk a mile as the busses have to stay out of the congested city center then.


After a walk of 500 yards or so we are in the vicinity of L'Academia an art museum that has a very special sculpture we (and crowds of other tourists) have come to see.


People going to work have other things on their minds. We are here to see the Statue of David by Michelangelo.


Carol waits outside while our guide goes to get our tickets


Next-join us inside after we pass though the security screening!

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