Day 10- Pisa

Our last day in the Cinque Terre required a visit to the beach. The water was cold at first, but once immersed, it felt good. While Katherine shopped, Spencer and I swam out to this break-water. As we looked back at the beach, we saw Katherine gingerly testing the cold water. We laughed, because we knew that she was experiencing that initial cold shock.
Spencer and I swam back to the shore, and convinced Katherine to come fully in. Spencer and Katherine then swam back out while I stayed to get their picture.

It was open-market day in Monterosso, and before leaving we were able to make some great buys.
Spencer was quite taken by these three-wheeled trucks.
As we left the Cinque Terre, we drove past these small villages set on the hills of the mountains, their pink houses contrasting with the green of the hills. It was a short drive to Pisa. As we approached downtown Pisa, the roads were blocked off. For a second I was irritated that we couldn't drive closer, then as I pondered on why the road would be barricaded, I realized it was because a stage of the Giro d'Italia must be coming through Pisa! I was so excited. We parked our car and hurried to watch. Riders began arriving one at a time. After waiting for the peleton to arrive, I realized that it must be a time trial, and the riders would come only one-by-one.
A Giro d'Italia racer coming around the corner in Pisa.
Cyclists came towards us and around this corner in Pisa.
The Giro d'Italia racers would ride down this street which parallels the square where the baptistry, cathedral, and tower are located.
Every time a racer came around this corner, the photographers would all lie down and take pictures.
While we were waiting for our turn to climb the tower, we purchased these authentic hats and shirts of the Giro d'Italia.
Climbing the leaning tower of Pisa.
I love the view of Pisa from the tower. The red tile roofs and the creme-orange buildings seem to glow.
After we left Pisa, we drove to Lucca, a meideval town surrounded by a large stone wall.

The wall that runs clear around Lucca.

Walking atop the wall. Notice the sycamore trees that shade streets in southern France and in Italy.
At a side walk cafe in Lucca. I had their local specialty- bean soup, and a pizza with the extra thin crust, Yum. From Lucca, we drove through the mountains north east to the plains of Piacenza, arriving near midnight again. But why waste daylight driving when you can drive at night? Next: Piacenza