Money, art and culture

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Today I am in Florence. This time last week I was in Barcelona... We have picked up the pace on our van tour and we are seeing some fantastic things.

Barcelona was interesting. We arrived on a Sunday so not to much was open but we mad a point of going to see the foot ball stadium there and it was massive, third biggest in the world...it think. from Barcelona we drove over into France and stopped in Marseilles. I loved it, it was so beautiful. we did a self guided walking tour through all the old streets and to a cathedral and some monuments. Only in Marseilles for a couple of hours because we were off to hob knob with the rich and famous in Canes...

Canes was kind of what I expected. Lots a rich people checking each other out. It was interesting to visit but I didn't like that you have to pay to go onto most parts of the beach. We Keep to the coast and arrived in Nice but unfortunately it was dark but the time we got there so didn't really see much of it.

Wednesday 02/08 we drove into Monaco early so the boys could get a drive on the Formula one race track and found a excellent park. we got dressed up and went to the casino...unfortunately James Bond wasn't there. I couldn't get over how much money there was in this tiny little area. I loved just wandering around looking and the super yaghtsand all the nice cars.

Thursday and we were in Italy. we stopped for the morning to walk through the Cinque Terre National park. It was a fantastic morning the sea was really rough and crashing up on the rocks and marina's of these tiny little towns. It was a fantastic area and remedied me alot of that park just outside nelson that I can't remember the name of right now. From there I got dropped in Verona while Dee, Cane and Kewan went to Venice (I have already been with Hannah). I love being by myself to a bit, I fond it so invigorating. I visited churches, sat in the piatsa and wrote an few post cards, wandered the streets and in the evening went to an opera in the arena. I Loved it. I caught up with the van last night in Florence and we missioned it to see the leaning tower of Pisa last night and now we are back in Florence. I really enjoyed it here yesterday. there is so much to see and do. So much history and art to look at. It's hard to know what to tell you. It's just beautiful!

Enjoy the pics
love
Jo

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Photos

Tour Bus in Barcelona
There was lots to see in Barcelona so we jumped on the tour bus.

Dee it Fulbol Club Barcelona
That it how the speltis I promise.

Markets
We found this fantastic fruit and Vege market. I took so long to decide what to have bacause there was to much choice.

Barcelona church
Pretty sure this was called the Sagrada Familia...It's only being funded by parishioners and people that visit the church, so it's slow going.

Marseille
Fish Stall down on the harbour front.

old streets in Marseille...
We stopped for a little discussion about about which way to go next...

Marseille church
Wish I could remember the name of this one for you because it was one of the best I've seen and especially the insided. It was masive and so intracatly decorated and the organ was masive. I was very impressed!

Marseille View
View across the harbour.

Casino
All dressed up for the Casino... and check out the wheels we arrived in...

Monaco
This is from up by the Palace

Monaco View
hhaaaa wouldnàt it be nice

Cinque Terre National Park
This is coming up to the second Village called Manarola.

Cinque Terre National Park
Manarola village.

Cinque Terre National Park
Village streets

Waves crashing over the marina at Venazza Village
Two Itallian guys were jumping off this and into the waves. It was so rough but they would time it so the next wave would push them back up onto the concrete.

Juliet
You are suposed to rub her brest if you wnat luck in love...some thing like that anyway. it was hard to get this shot with no one molesting her.

Verona
Dee and I in front of the Arena before they went to Venice. This is where I went later in the evening to watch the Opera Carmen. The amazing thing about the opera is that the singers didn't have a microphone, they had such powerful voices that they could sing to the huge arena. It was fantastic.

Comments

[Brad]

smp
Jo, I'm really happy to see you still have the yellow SMP shirt. Love it. sounds like you are having fun. Travel safe and enjoy.

[ricksitaly]

Market Pic?
Jo: Where was the market pic of fruits taken? I'd love to have a copy of that pic for my own collection! [e-mail]

[anonymous]

Jo Thank you for your journals and photos on what you have been doing and in such great company. I wish I could be there too but some people have to work. Have a great time in Greece Thank you Dee's Mum

[Eskimo Jo]

Market pic
Hey Ric The market pic was taken in Barcelona. I can forward you a copy when I fget home. Jo