Lean on me

Leaving Santa Margherita Ligure (SML) was a little sad this morning, however there were also a few reasons we were happy to leave.

Firstly SML has one of the most lovely waterfronts we have ever visited. The paved walking areas, green grass and established trees and palms are key features. The church in the main town is although not the nicest looking from the outside, one of the most beautiful we have ever been inside. The views and panorama's of the town and surrounding area are without question the key attraction, and without these our stay would have been less enjoyable.

On the down side, the Hotel Lido Palace does in no way meet the 4 star rating it has above its door. Without the view, which is impressive in itself, the hotel would be lucky to meet 2 stars with its very dated fixtures and furnishings. One real gripe of ours was the constant requirement to ask reception for a new WiFi password each day and when we were connected the speed, were lucky to be 33kbs (or pre dial up speeds). On advising the staff at reception, we were advised the speed was due to the number of users, however the time of day or the number of guests didn't make any difference.

The final reason for being pleased to leave SML was the very bad case of food poisoning that I contracted from what we believe to be a restaurant in town. This put our plans on hold for a full 36 hours and also made the remaining time less pleasant as health was still getting back to normal.

Enough ranting...

Last night we arranged for the hotel to book a taxi to take us to the train station in Rapallo, we knew a taxi would cost us EUR25 but the cost would be worth it as the busses don't start early enough and catching the train was also not an option.  So when we were checking out the reception advised the taxi was waiting for us out front, we looked and we couldn't see it all we could see was a Mercedes and as it turned out that was the taxi.  The car was brand new and was a top of the line model, when we got inside there were full leather seats and there was enough room in the back to swing ten cats.

The taxi, hotel, and Katie

So the ride to the station was pretty uneventful but we were like a king and queen for the 8 minutes it took.  When we got out the driver opened Katies door, removed our luggage from the boot then turned and asked us for the payment of EUR75, yes 75 Euros!

Well both of us stepped back for a moment and i told the driver that a taxi ride from SML to Rapallo is a fixed price and that was 25. Thank fully i learnt this information only the day before. The driver whipped out his phone and swiped the screen from left then right up and down and within seconds confirmed the price of 25. It was one of those moments that could have been difficult, but thankfully wasn't however i would hate to think who would pay the 75 and if they thought this was reasonable.

After our train ride we disembarked in Pisa, checked our bags as we would be moving on to Florence later in the day and then tried to work the best way to get to the Leaning tower. As time was short it was decided to catch the LAN Rossa or Red line. After about 5 minutes on the bus i checked our location google maps and realised we were heading in the wrong direction, to the airport!

First thinking to pull the emergency stop, i pressed the stop button and we got off at the next stop.  Basically the red line does in both directions from the train station in Pisa, one to the airport and the other to the leaning tower. So it was an easy fix, just cross the road and catch the next red line bus. This however did end up leaving us less than 10 minutes and a brisk walk to the base of the tower. thankfully we go there in time and out tickets didn't need any further checking, but we were advised we needed to check the small bag we carry as none were allowed up the tower.  So with us already worked up a sweat from getting to the tower we raced across the square to check the bag, Katie waited outside then when i got to the front of the line to check the bag was able to read the notice advising i would need my ticket to the tower to check the bag. Katie had the tickets, outside.

Outside i dashed, and grabbed the tickets, re joined the checked bag queue and as if like dominoes in a row, all fell into place and we were up the tower after climbing the steps. Thankfully for this minor drama it didn't allow Katie too much time to doubt herself and i am proud of her for making her way up the great Italian erection.

Having a break, almost there

Don't drop the camera

As it was sunday the bells were rung while we were up there

The afternoon we walked back to the station just to get an idea of Pisa, but glad we didn't stay there as there isn't much else to see. 

Tonight we are in florence and will provide details about this exquisite accommodation in another blog.

Tomorrow - Florence