Italy Day 3 - 23 Nov 08

Florence

Temp was less than 5 degrees. Grrr ....

Everyday we will wake at 6.30am to catch the morning sun.

San Marco

We had to see David by Michelangelo. I thought it will be housed in a grand museum. But the facade of the museum is disappointing!

Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna. Quite a dynamic piece.

Gallery of the Slaves by Michelangelo. Unbelievable this sculptist actually studied human anatomy on the corpses to vividly capture every muscle of the mortal body!

No photographs are allowed when we enter into the hall with David. A pity. It simply took our breath away!

Love the focus in his eyes. Love the protruding veins of his muscular arms.

Hostel means no breakfast! So we venture into a bar. I tasted the best cuppucino and the most tasty chocolate croissant.

On the way to another Duomo. The red cupola can't be missed anywhere in Florence!

Note how big the doors are. It's a Sunday and we can't go in because of the Sunday service.

The Battistero with its famous bronze doors - Gates of Paradise by Michelangelo. Each panel on the door features exquisite art.

David in chocolate. Where will you bite 1st?

Remember the focus on the obelisk in Angels and Demons?

Santa Maria Novella, near the train station

Orsanmichele

Gucci! fyi, even the police in Florence donned uniforms designed by Gucci. I happened to learn this from Globetrekker which featured Florence.

Palazzo Vecchio

Another copy of David is found here BUT it was under restoration. There goes our hunt for David.

Well, at least the Fountain of Neptune did not disappoint.

I am hungry and we must have the Florentine steak. Found one recommended by the guidebook Frommers.
I maybe hungry but my travelling companion seemed more excited.
The wait was agonising for Singaporeans and the owner decided to serve us more bread.

Check out the succulent, juicy and bloody steak! I actually liked it. My jaws did not ache from the continuous chomping.

And she decides that she will have a glass of wine to top up the experience.

The busker really looks like one of the sculptures!

The good thing when you come in summer is when you don't have to queue for a long time. We decided to come to Uffizi to admire the drawing, "Venus" by Botticelli. I also like Lippi's potrayal of Madonna - more angelic hah.
There were simply too many drawing rooms and paintings and sculptures. Overwhelming. My dear friend and I went on our separate ways. She then found a window where she could get a decent shot of the Arno River and The Ponte Vecchio (ponte means bridge in Italian).

Check out Uffizi when the sun has set. It is really in a U shape.
Lovely ponte at sunset.

Florence is bustling even at low season.

Well Mx gave me good recommendation. Coconut gelato was rich!