T met V at entre George Pompidou (Musee National d'Art Moderne) but closed for strike. V took us to Café Oz. Ate at a place near Café. Bus to Eiffel Tower, saw night lights of Paris as well as Tower.
Meeting Australians - Deux Frères', Ventimigla, Villa Casanova, Ferry to Ferrovia (Venice), on train to Florence (girls + Tim Fisher) in line for tickets in Florence, guy in Aix who recognised the Sydney FC shirt.
Zoo - menagerie - wallabies - rooting!!!
After speaking to Aussies…took #11 bus to Pellestrina which is at end of Lido island. Bus went over ferry to next island, then to the end of that island. Walked back some a couple of kms. Very old village with great church and art works. Siesta time so only could get basic eats. Back to Villa for rest.
Great brekkie again. Aussies again. AFL Grand Final being finished as we ate. Relayed via mother in hospital dying f cancer!
Couldn't get ticket for next train all booked out. Got on one at 3:30pm. Got on train, wondering where our acommodation was in Florence. Had street address only. (had left a lot of stuff behind). V and I in carriage with 2 girls only at this stage. One says - I might be able to help - Aussies! Looked at Lonely Planet guide and found location. Walked from Firenze main station only 1 km to Hotel Columba.
Before Accademia had wandered down to find the soccer ticket place. Was not open, and sign + locals said it did not open Sunday. Would have to risk it at the ground. After Accademia, I went back down to ticket area, and found the place open! Met Aussie bike rider who told me Italians don't care abut customer service, they just accept crap. Had waited on line for 20 mins, ten had to show ID. Aussie/Italian biker did not have ID, and I could not but the ticket for him because I was only allowed one transaction. Bikers son walked off in a huff. Teenagers!
After Duomo, we went back to the Hotel for a rest. Was starting to rain a bit. I went back down to wait in line for the opening of the Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery). First in queue with an old lady formerly from Australia and her son. Brilliant works in here, and again not many people as we were first in.
Beer and Rose at little café. Now 7 people out from, 6 aussies. Then lady from Hazelbrook!!
To Invalides. Musee de L'Armee at the Hotel National des Invalides. Napoleon's Tomb (Tombeau de Napoleon 1) in Saint-Louis des Invalides Church. Aussie girl on steps took our photo. Looked at the Antique Department that had lots of old armour. Resistance stuff and Charles de Gaulle at the Historial of Charles de Gaulle. Also Museum of the Order of the Liberation.
Musee des Beaux-Arts, Avenue Marcel Duchamp, Rouen. A City for Impressionism exhibition, featuring Monet, Pissarro and Gauguin who painted the Cathedral in Rouen. Fantastic open air area. Had coffee. Great. Pictures of Monet's Cathedral series and the cathedral by other artists. Aussie group. Quick look at the outside of the Cathedral. Back at Gare, a few seats but none on the Platform. Weird.
Walked from station with 3 others going to same Hotel (1 Aussie) Adagio Hotel in Rue des Chartreux. Single beds + pillow less. V asked but we have to get used to the old single beds stuff. Reminds us of our honeymoon.
Veronica was suggested to travel First Class. Bought ticket to Desenzano via Genoa and Milan. Walked down to Italian Riviera at Ventimiglia and had a beer and rose. Could see French Riviera. Met 'Pat's friends' on station at Ventimiglia.
To Accademia Gallery only 500m away. Got there before opening but queues long. Waiting in queue with Australians. Offered 'tour' once, then second time accepted. Got in by 10:00am and had great guide. Worked up to going into the hallway to see statue of David at end of hall. Absolutely breathtaking. Fantastic perspective to be learning about it all with the statue in the background. Well worth it.
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