The Leaning Tower of Pisa!

     Friday, June 5, we had a super early start to our day! The Island Princess docked in the port of Livorno, Italy bright and early. We had a nice breakfast in the Provence Dining Room at about 7:30 in the morning, then headed to the Bordeaux Dining room where we would meet our group for our guided tour of Pisa.
     We arrived in the small town of Pisa at about 9:00am, and immediately were in awe of the amazing architecture surrounding the tower. In the square sits not only the tower, but the Basilica, and Baptistery as well. The three main structures are positioned in the middle of beautifully landscaped bright green grass all around. There are only a few sections of the grass that are open for people to walk on, so it really is a spectacular view.
   

Baptistery

Basilica with the Leaning Tower in the background

see, it really is leaning!

another view of the Baptistery

     After admiring the views around us, it was time to head into the Leaning Tower and climb to the top. From the minute you walk in you can feel the lean, it makes you feel almost drunk!
   

just outside the door to enter the Tower

inside the tower, looking straight up

measuring the lean, that gauge is level with the ground, the pipe is leaning!

     The tower is leaning due to the moisture in the soil below, and the fact that it is built with heavy marble. It was actually built in 2 stages- the first stage was the first three rings that you can see. It was after this portion was built, that the lean was noticed. The builders stopped for a while, and continued several years later. The second stage of the tower was built in a way to try to compensate for the lean, and is actually built with an attempt to lean the opposite direction. If you look closely you can see!

     We walked the 296 steps to the top of the bell tower, and enjoyed the amazing views from the top. Although I am not the biggest fan of heights, I am happy to have made it to the top, the views were certainly worth it!

mom and dad working their way to the top! 

view from about half-way up

the top of the bell tower

another view from the top

at the top, overlooking the Basilica and Baptistery

Gorgeous Tuscan homes!

looking down from the top of the tower

     After exiting the Leaning Tower, we went in to the Basilica. It was gorgeous inside and out, just as all Italian Basilicas are!

entry to the Basilica

From the entry, looking to the main alter

one of the many alters

the main alter

Nuns admiring the Basilica

One of the many tombs inside the Basilica

     Once our time in Pisa was finished, our bus took us back to the ship. We still had time at this port, so we took a shuttle to the city center of Livorno. We found a nice local pizzaria where we shared a delicious Italian Pizza. I had to try the Livorno Ponce (punch) which consists of a shot of espresso, rum, a sugar cube, and lemon peel. It was amazing! My mom also discovered that she could order a half-bottle of Chianti cheaper than a bottle of water! Why not?!

The restaurant was in the corner of this apartment building

Ponce in front, moms Chianti behind

     Back on board the ship after lunch, we headed back to our rooms for showers, then met back downstairs at the Crooners Martini Bar for happy hour. After another wonderful dinner, we headed to the Princess Theater to watch the Princess Dancers perform Piano Man.

those are the gangplanks for passengers to get on/off the ship

     Another spectacular day in the books on our adventure! Next stop, the eternal city, Rome!

us in front of the tower

I tried to push it back up, no such luch! (also, not sure who that lady is)!