As we drove north from San Gimignano, the
landscape changed and we were in different kind of beauty.
After a quick break
at a service area, we drove into Pisa.
The city is understandably very crowded,
and bus parking is quite a distance from the historic area, so we boarded a kind
of train on wheels to get there. Annelies had given us a great history of the
tower and surrounding area – the Miracle Square. For many reasons, the tower
should have collapsed or been destroyed long ago, but now has been stabilized
and should be fine for the next 300 years. We enjoyed lunch at an outdoor
restaurant and watched the crowds photographing each other “holding up the
tower”. Some were very creative. Back on the bus we continued through many
tunnels into a more rugged landscape, catching glimpses of the Mediterranean
along the way, and eventually arriving at a dock in Santa Margherita Ligure,
where we boarded an excursion boat to Portofino What a beautiful area! We sat
at an outdoor table and ordered drinks. The server asked if we had any
allergies and I told him mine. Soon we had an array of snacks – some for me,
some for Larry and some to share. Immediately, the server said to me, “I’m not
sure about the almonds, don’t eat them. I’m checking.” Soon he was back with
the assurance that the almonds with rosemary were fine for me. What great
service! Back in Santa Margherita, we checked into our hotel. It was when we
were unpacking that I realized I had left things in the safe back in Villa San
Paolo. Annalies immediately went to work to solve the problem and after several
phone calls and emails, our stuff was retrieved by the hotel staff and we’d
arranged for it to be sent here in the care of another couple who were catching
up to us the next day. Phew! Many thanks to everyone involved in this recovery,
particularly Annelies. Over dinner, we celebrated Ellie’s birthday with cake.Photos of the day. Click to enlarge
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