DAY FIVE

"Its leaning a bit, isn't it?"

If it's Saturday, then it must be Tuscani. Another full day tour with two main stops, Florence and Piza.

The ship docked in Livorno, which is the home town of our guide, Erick. Erick is far too good looking for his own good but his stories of growing up in Tuscani are much better than other tour guides and he helps pass the time away till we reach Florence.

Florence is beautiful with its Cathedrals and squares. Got to know two ladies from Leeds, Amanda and Sarah. I did this by accidently stepping on the back of one of Sarah's flip flops, destroying it completely. I did the noble thing and offered to pay for her a new pair. The ladies were a good laugh.

Had a nice meal in Florence. Some kind of Pesto lasagne and salad followed by some kind of cream cake. Oh, and there was bottles of red wine on offer too. Well, just have to don't you?

After lunch we reboarded the coach and headed off for Piza.

Now the ONLY reason for going to Piza is to see the famous leaning tower. All my life I have visualised this has being stood on top of some natural mound (a bit like Glasonbury Tor) in a prominent place over looking the town with all the tourists gazing up in awe at this architectual cock up. How dissapointed was I when I saw this pokie building peering out from behind a beautiful cathedral. Don't get me wrong it is an... interesting building, but hardly a major contender for a "wonder of the world" award. The cathedral next to it was by far more impressive and is also leaning (tho this is never really advertised). Its a bit like the eternal "VHS vs Betamax" battle. Betamax is the more superior format but is pushed into obsurity by the more popular VHS. So it is here. Everyone goes to see the leaning tower and totally ignores the much larger leaning cathedral next door. Ah well.

Oh and just for the record, there is absolutely NOTHING else to see in Piza.

Back on board OV by 6.30.

Had dinner and watched a spectactular show on the top deck called "Planets". This was the "Freedom to Move"singers, dancers and aerialists singing, dancing and...er...aerialing to music based on Holsts: The Planets suite. Apparently OV is the only cruisse ship to do anything like this. Look out for piccies on Facebook.

TO BE CONTINUED...