Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 87 – Florence to Pisa to Nice, France

    Friday 23 June 2006
    Highlights: Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy)

    Today’s travel plan saw the bus stopping in Pisa for about 1.5 hours, to see the famous tower.   I have never seen so many hawkers trying to sell stuff to tourist 😦   I’m glad I was not staying there.  Still it was good to see the actual leaning tower in person instead of only a photo, and yes I tried to hold it up in a photo 🙂

    Today’s bus was very full and while some people got off at La Spezia they were quickly replaced.   This was the only time that everyone got back to the bus early during a break due to the extreme heat.   I’m not sure how I’m going to handle China in August when the temperature averages 32!!!

    Nice seems to be a good place, unfortunately they are building a new tram system so it is a bit of a mess.   The beach is famous for good looking women.   We drove pass Monaco and I think I’ll do a day trip to see how the rich live. Finally the hostel put me in a room of 8 people (instead of 6) with no air conditioning.   I discussed this with reception but didn’t push the issue since they said I could leave my bag here tomorrow for 24 hours while I go to Munich (which is great).   The night however was extremely humid so not too much sleep 😦

  • World Trip 2006: Day 86: Florence, Italy

    Thursday 22 June 2006
    Highlights: Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Piore, seeing Michelangelo’s David in person, Ponte Vecchio stone arch bridge

    A hot and humid day.   First however I learned that I would be seeing Germany versus Sweden in Munich on the 24 June, should be a great match.

    Today I headed for the Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Piore) which they started building in 1294 and finished 150 years later (a long term job this one!).   The outside is very beautiful which the inside doesn’t actually match unfortunately. I than moved onto Galleria dell Accademia to get a close look at Michelangelo’s David and it was worth the 90 minute wait to get in an see, it is a masterpiece and much more detailed than you would think.

    I finished my day on the Ponte Vecchio looking at jewellery women would love but men would hate (the cost ooh!).   By law (from 1600) only goldsmiths can trade on the bridge (previously meat markets etc).

    Now I’m hoping to find a place to watch the Australia vs Croatia match tonight, go Australia!!!!

  • World Trip 2006: Day 85 – Florence, Italy

    Wednesday 21 June 2006
    Highlights: Galleria degli Uffizi Museum

    Having survived the night (both hot and cold and a lot of noise) I set out late in the morning to explore for Florence by myself.   I headed straight for the Galleria degli Uffizi which is has very famous works of art.   Unfortunately I had to wait 2 hours to get in (which is unusual, it normally takes longer). The Museum was awesome.

    The Louvre in Paris tries to overwhelm you with some many works of art, Uffizi just goes for the best.   Some of the works I saw included:  Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Annunciation’, Michelangelo’s ‘Holy Family’, Titian’s ‘Venus of Urbino’, Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ – everyone as seen a copy of this one, it’s magnificent, and works by Raphael.

    The museum had a special exhibition on Leonardo da Vinci, the guy was brilliant.   Using computer they are starting to understand his paintings, including just how precise they are and how he overlayed pictures on top of points or references and these references are very interesting.   I learnt a lot; maybe I should have paid attention in class 🙂

  • World Trip 2006: Day 84 – Rome to Orvieto to Florence Italy

    Tuesday 20 June 2006
    Highlights: Visiting Orvieto Town, Exploring Florence

    BusAbout had a bonus stop at Orvieto a small and beautiful Tuscany town.   The cathedral is stunning especially the 5 panels starting with heaven and moving down until the last panel shows hell.

    Getting into Florence at around 3 pm we had an organised dinner and orientation walk.   Unfortunately Florence today was around 36 degrees and very humid, the forecast is for more of the same.   During the walk we got to see the Duomo (Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore), Palazzo degli Uffizi (home of the Galleria), we walked over Ponte Vecchio (the only bridge to survive WWII) and walked around Loggia della Signora (which is a square with copies of great sculptures like Michelangelo’s David).

    Dinner was held at ‘The house of Sizzle’ with four courses; Bruschetta, plate of mixed pasta, grilled chicken & chips, and finally some great gelato.

    A drink as also included for the 15 euro cost so it was a great deal (well for me anyway, all those who had the meat for their main course didn’t like it). The campsite is a little out of town and unfortunately the room doesn’t have air-conditioning (it was a long night, first very hot and at about 3 am very cold!!).   We had a full bus today and Danny got left behind after losing the draw.

  • World Trip 2006: Day 83 – Rome, Italy

    Monday 19 June 2006
    Highlights: Relaxing at the campsite watching the World Cup and listening to music

    Well today I spent the entire day either on the internet, at the pool or watching the world cup.   Had a good night chatting with a few other BusAbout travellers and even watched the pub fire up with live music and backpackers dancing!