Around the World in 90 Days Issue # 22
Around the World in 90 Days Issue # 22
“A picture is worth 1,000 words” Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen.
Leaving Florence and Rome behind, on the road again to another famous icon on my bucket list – Leaning Tower, Pisa.
History - Construction commenced on Tower in 1173 by Bonanno. On reaching the third storey, the building stopped due to subsidence of the soil which caused its characteristic lean. Construction started a century later by Giovanni di Simone, who tried to rectify the lean. There are 294 steps spirally around the core to the top. At the top is the bell tower built by Tommaso in the mid-14th century. The seven bells inside the chamber are tuned to the seven-note scale. There have been numerous attempts to rectify the lean. Some are more successful than others some causing it to tilt the other way. In 1998 horizontal stays were installed, underneath which appears to have stabilised it. (I wonder if it had not leaned what it would have been called and whether so many people would have visited?)
Then we pass through the Riveria and arrive at our night destination - Santa Margherita. Here the bus driver executes this amazing driving feat. Reversing a 30 seater bus up a 60° sloped alleyway, to unload our luggage. We all cheered when he made it and he bewilderingly looked at us saying ‘what was all the fuss about.’
Before this driving feat, he took us to Portofino, on roads that hung on the cliff's edge and where often were so narrow that you would have to reverse to find sufficient space for vehicles in the other direction to pass… a bit scary but the houses were so colourful and picturesque it was worth it.
I loved this place and wanted to stay longer. After checking in and having an early dinner I walked down the hill to explore the shoreline more – one of my best photos of my trip – explains it all. No words are needed. The water was crystal clear and cool and I had a paddle in the Mediterranean Sea (two different water masses so far) There was beautiful music serenading me as I saw all the village lights reflecting in the water and dreamt of romance. Eventually, I got back to the room just before midnight.
Full disclosure, I think I had a bit of a crush on our Tour Director Alain. Nothing came of it, but I do know he was single at the time. We are still Facebook friends.
I managed to get in another walk prior to breakfast and check-out. The Principality of Monaco is our first stop today with a visit to the old town.
The first stop is Place of Grimaldis famously now known as the home of Prince Rainer & Princess Grace (Grace Kelly - movie star) It was often quoted in the media that her life was that of a fairy tale “The idea of my life as a fairy tale is itself a fairy tale,” she once said. However, the Palace and economy of Monaco can be credited for the work of both of them when they were alive. In 1949, when Prince Rainer acceded to the throne, he immediately began a renovation and restoration program. Many of the external frescoes on the courtyard were restored, while the southern wing, destroyed following the French Revolution, was rebuilt.
Princess Grace died before her husband, dying in 1982 as the result of a car accident (in tragic circumstances). When Rainier III died in 2005, he left both his palace and his country stronger and more stable, financially and structurally. What a legacy for all!
When you are young, you often idolize movie stars. How easy it was to get caught in magic and words written in the media.
Grace Media
Grace Kelly femme fatale, the epitome of "sexual elegance," and a fairytale princess. After captivating Hollywood, she captured the heart of a real-life prince — all while dazzling the world with her beauty, talent, and impeccable sense of style.
After leaving this small but beautiful principality my only words with my mouth agape and eyes wide open were WOW! The deep azure-blue colour of the Mediterranean Sea really does live up to its name Côte d'Azur ("Coast of Blue,").
I felt like a thalassophile as we continued on our drive overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, up the twisty mountain road. We stopped for an Italian lunch. I over-participated this time - having 3 grappas and several wines…. feeling a bit tipsy.
Luckily we only drove along the Promenade de Anglais, as I had my ‘wobbly boots on’. No promendading for me!
After arriving in Cannes late afternoon there was a scramble to do our washing. There were not enough machines for everyone and the drier was not drying properly. So after the dirty laundry battle, we all got Chinese for dinner at about 10.00 pm before retiring and hoping to be ready for pick-up the next morning.
Was anyone else devastated, like me, when Princess Grace died?