May 6, 2022
Bucket list item, 62 years old, checked off. The Leaning Tower of Pisa seen.
We booked 3 excursions for this cruise, the first two were, as Skinny Pappy might have said, “nothing extrey.” Too hurried, not enough time, not the best guides.
This one was too hurried, not enough time, and a good guide. But seriously folks, the way Royal Caribbean does these things needs improvement. Here’s the deal: there are two excursions going to the same place. They run them back to back so the early trip (ours) is always rushed to get back to get the second one out. Improvement suggestion: Stagger!! Send one out at 7:45 (ours today). Get another bus and another guide and send it out at 9:45. All aboard is 4:30 so there is plenty of time, no rushing.
Having said that, I enjoyed being in Pisa immensely. Gabriel, our guide, not the angel, took us in to a spot for good photographs, then around to the meeting point, and because of the above mentioned time constraints, we had 30 minutes free time. And that included a potty break.
There are two other BIG buildings on site, including a baptismal building and a cathedral. I would very much like to have seen inside both of those. And climbed the Tower. No time. But I was there on the grounds, walked around, looked at the site, took pictures, looked at the site, took some more pictures (deleted the ones I didn’t like), and looked at the site. We went back to the meeting place and Bonnie bought 2 postcards and I bought a refrigerator magnet. Loaded up onto the trolley (I forgot to mention the trolley), got back on the bus, and returned to the ship.
Concerning the trolley. We took a tour around the city of Pisa – outside the old city wall and inside the old city wall, over the Arno River and then to the Tower. Neat stuff I learned. Especially noteworthy, it is not just the Tower that is leaning and sinking, it is the whole city. The ground is very wet – beside the river – and so a lot of sinking. The old Roman sites are almost 6 feet below the ground level of today.
Did I tell you I enjoyed seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa? I want to come back and spend more time.
Tomorrow, Rome.
It has been a good cruise.
Oh yeah. All our bags are packed, ready to sit outside our door. We’re not leaving on a jet plane, but still ready to go.
Love,
Dad/Pappy/David
* * * * *
RAIN!!RAIN!!RAIN!!! Well, there was rain but we did not get any on us. We were up at 5 so we could be at the Windjammer for breakfast at 6, unfortunately it wasn’t opening until 6:30. There were a lot of other people there too and some were not as nice or as patient as we were or had to be. Finally they left us in at 6:25. I grabbed a croissant and it was very good. I got a small carton of chocolate milk, but it is skim, yucky!! (Sorry Amy) Took necessary medicine ate and then we headed to the room to get our stuff to carry off and headed to Music Hall deck 4. Needed to be there by 7:15. We watched the captain dock our ship as we ate our hurried breakfast. We are in the cargo port but that is the only port they have.
After getting our stickers and with our group leader the wait began. At one point the young lady who is in charge of excursions said everyone had to wear N-95 mask and one would be provided as we left the ship. Then, the captain came on and said they now said we only needed a mask, go figure. After waiting till 7:45 they finally called our number 17. We headed down off down to deck 2. Indeed we were given a n-95 mask, which we didn’t wear. We wore what we already had on. We walked down a very steep ramp and then down to the right , even though our bus was just to the left of where we were. Then, all the way back up on the other side of the barrier to the bus. I had been behind the girl leading us as we went out the door and this man did everything he could all the way to the bus to try cut me off and get in front , really! He wasn’t successful.
On the bus we met our guide, Gabrielle, and after we were all on board we were told we couldn’t leave because there were 5 passengers who hadn’t shown up so we had to wait. As far as I know they never did. So we finally left about 8:15. There was a time schedule and an agenda from the start. The bus ride was nice through some beautiful country side surrounded on both sides by mountains. The Tuscany area, one that we drove through is known for the very best extra virgin olive oil. About 20 Euros a bottle. Then we drove through an area known for its marble, carrara marble which is the whitest and purest marble. Michelangelo came to the quarry we passed up on the hill side and looked for 2 years looking for the perfect piece of marble for his statue David. That was something. It is very heavy to move and has to be brought down from the mountainsides. We could see the quarry from the road. There are other kinds of marble but this is the best. He said inside the church at the tower was a statue made from it. Unfortunately we did not get to see it.
After an hour plus ride we arrived in Pisa. We transferred to a trolley. Trust me this was the worst ride ever. The streets of the inner city are very rutted and filled with pot holes. The ride was excruciatingly painful. The compartments were very narrow, the seats were metal, and I sat on the front of the seat and clung to the bar of the seat in front of me to keep from having my neck and back wrenched so badly. We finally after about 20 minutes got to the tower. Magnificent!! The first three levels are leaning a lot. The next three or four not as much and the bell tower on top is straight. After about 5 minutes he lead us off to a restaurant where we wove our way in and out of about 3 or 4 rooms to the back where there were restrooms of sorts. Then, back out front we now had 20 minutes until we had to be back at the restaurant and back on the trolley. We went back to look at the tower and take some more pictures but could not go into anything. Then, back on the trolley for another horrible ride and on the bus and then we had to hurry because he had to get back to the ship to do another tour. Though it was a very short time it was worth it. I just wish we had had an hour to look around.
Well, back on board and of course through security and I set it off. Why only me, there were others who had stuff. We dropped our stuff (I mean replacement parts) at the room and headed for the Windjammer. We were hungry. I had a bowl of chicken taco soup with no chicken just broth, very good. I found an actual fried hamburger and buns with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. YUM!! I made a drink and enjoyed. When David got to the table with some pasta and chicken, he said where did you get that. I said way back there and they have hot dogs too. He gave his plate to the waiter and headed to the hot dogs. Afterwards we walked out onto the deck, which was wet and cold and unoccupied except for the lifeguards at the pools and the ice cream guy. We got a cone and I showed him the pictures of the tower. Very nice young man.
I forgot to tell you this. All cruise long when you go into the windjammer there is a young lady there who tells you to wash your hands. Well, all cruise she has been playing music and dancing when she greets you and making you feel so welcome. Well, some passenger said she didn’t like the music and dancing so the ship said the girls couldn’t do it any more. REALLY!! What about all the people who really liked it. And there are a lot. But corporate has to keep its Crown and Anchor members happy.
Well, my suitcase is all packed. I have had my shower, washed my hair and dressed for supper. What I wear for supper is what I am wearing off. We have a small fold up carry bag that I bought to carry off the toilet kits, pjs, etc in the morning because the suitcases have to be out side the door by 10 pm. We will put them out after supper.
Well, we have about 10 minutes before all aboard and an hour before supper. Nothing left to do. I kept out the umbrellas for tomorrow because we may have to wait outside on our driver. He is to be here at 8:30 and our get off time is 7:45. Then, off to Rome and the human adventure continues.
Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie
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