Cruise with Norma and Stacy part 2

We ported in Livorno and took a trip to Florence and Pisa.  Everyone always says Florence is amazing.  They were right!  It would have been much more enjoyable if it hadn’t been so hot and crowded, but it was still great.  We took a walking tour with a guide and learned a lot about the history of Florence. 

Santa Croce - where Michelangelo and Galileo are buried

a replica of David

Ponte Vecchio (old Bridge)

amazing church door

Pisa – Norma and I didn’t want to take a picture of us “holding up” the tower, but I did take pictures of other people doing it!  Just like the church in Florence, there are three parts – 1) the bell tower  2) the church and 3) the baptistery (they believed you had to be baptized to enter the church, therefore the baptistery needed to be separate from the church).  We had very little time in Pisa and many people wanted to climb the tower, but I really wanted to tour inside the baptistery.  Doesn’t it look amazing?!  The church too!

the baptistry

the leaning tower of Pisa

the church

 

Norma and I 

On the bus we noticed that one of the straps on my purse was hanging on by a thread.  It is only 2 months old and the other strap was fine so I think a pick pocket tried to cut it and I must have moved right before they got it!  Thank Goodness!

We went to Cannes, France where the famous film festival is.  Norma and I took a walking tour and learned all about the festival and what the town is like during it.  She also told us what it was like when the G20 was here.  The presidents couldn’t even have umbrellas because they were considered weapons!  Cannes had lovely streets and lots of shopping- high end and regular.  We hit up the regular street because I needed a new purse due to the pick pockets from yesterday. I found one at a great store that had everything 70% off.  We visited the conference center where the film festival is held so we got to see some famous handprints.  We learned that they use 4 red carpets a day during the festival (so they look clean) and when they are done with them, they cut them up and sell the pieces as souvenirs.  Many rich people come to Cannes year round so there are lots of yachts.  We went to a lovely store and I got some macaroons while Norma got some flan.

We saw a Steak and Shake in Cannes!  mmmm  steakburgers! 

Palma Majorca and Soller – we were only here for a few hours so we didn’t get to see much.  We did go on a lovely old fashioned train ride from Soller to Palma.  We also got to walk around Soller some, which was an adorable town.  It was Saturday afternoon around 3 or so and most stores were closed which was weird. It would have been great to see the town when things were open. 

church in Palma Majorca

Stacy and I 

Church in Soller

lemon trees

View from the train

It was so good to spend time with friends - we had so much fun!  Norma went home right after the ship docked, Stacy and her mom went home the next day, and I stayed in Barcelona for a few days.