A day in Pisa

Feeling heavy-hearted we bid Rome goodbye after spending 3 splendid nights of fun-learning. 

Pisa for one day one night! We travelled to Pisa by train. For timetable and fares, checkout www.trenitalia.it .

There are two types of trains; fast train (takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes at 27.50 euro) and regional train (takes about 4 hours and 5 minutes at 17.15 euro). The fast train has to be booked in advance (not more than 1 day prior to departure) whereas regional train must not be booked in advance. You can get your tickets at the counter or the ticket machine which has explanations in English and to be paid by credit card). 

I forgot to jot down the name and address of the hostel we stayed in Pisa. The hostel was good and clean which was in the center of the city. Tips for choosing hostel is opt for good location in the city center as the main hub for public transportation is always in the city center so that you can easily commute to other places and also, most medieval attractions are actually in the middle of the city. Do not be attracted by lowest prices as most of these hostels are actually far from the city and you will end up wasting a lot of time travelling down and also the fare on transportation. When you stay around the city, most of the time you do not need to spend money on transportation as attractions are nearby to each other and believe it or not, you will find walking and walking is such a rewarding travel learning experience as you will see more.
For backpackers, checkout www.hostelworld.com or www.hostelbookers.com . If you prefer to stay in a more decent hotels, checkout www.lastminute.com for good deals.

On our way walking to Pisa before crossing the Arno river, we spotted a small church which has Gothic influence called Santa Maria della Spina.

The exterior featuring tabernacles and statues sculptured by some main Pisane artists of the 14th century.

So picturesque, isn't it? It looks so cute and fake because of its miniature size.

A gelato shop calling us while walking by some street. Anyways I find that Pisa has the most delicious and creamiest gelato ever. Or is it every next visit to a gelato shop gets better and better to make me wanting more?

5-6km of walking wasn't that bad because we had gelato! Finally we were here and totally amazed looking at the wonderful masterpiece right in front of our eyes. 10 years ago, never would I imagine to be able to see the Leaning tower of Pisa, one of the 7 wonders of the world. At that moment, I was crying in my heart feeling overjoyed, thanking God for blessing me another day to live by and my parents for bringing me into this world and most importantly for supporting me.

I would love to bring you back, Pisa.

Am I a giant? Or simply you are not that big for me to bring into the cargo to be flew back?

Tickets to go up the Pisa tower can be bought inside the Cathedral Square at the price of 15 euro.
For more information of the opening hours depending on which season, visit http://www.opapisa.it/en/plan-your-visit.html 

The external loggia.

With the Duomo or the Cathedral.

Behind me were four great religious edifices which are the Duomo, The Campanile (the cathedral's free standing bell tower), the Baptistery (The round Romanesque building) and the Camposanto (the old cemetery).

Some of the city view from top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Sort of reminds me of my hometown. I was missing home.

Enjoying the view from top of Pisa tower.

The tower's tilt began during construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure's weight. The tilt increased in the decades before the structure was completed.

Beautiful and breathtaking view.

It looks like a kind of city I would love to live by, peaceful and much slower with everything within convenient.

Pasquareccia bell

From the top deck looking down to the middle of the tower.

Surrounded by bells.

Going down and out to explore more around Piazza dei Miracoli.

The Bell tower

The Duomo or the cathedral.

Lunette above the middle door of the cathedral, picturing Blessed Mary by Giuseppe Modena da Lucca

Apse with mosaic inside the duomo

The impressive mosaic showing Christ in Majesty, flanked by the Blessed Virgin and St. John the Evangelist

Pulprit by Giovanni Pisano

The beautiful and majestic interior of the duomo with coffer ceiling

Next, the Baptistery. Also known as The Baptistry of St.John, it is the second building in the chronological order, in the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Cathedral being first and Leaning tower being third.

Crystal and I, in front of the largest baptistery in Italy.

 The Campo Santo, a walled cemetery which is said to be the most beautiful cemetery in the world. 

 Campo Santo by night

 Bapstistery by night looking wonderful

 The Duomo and Pisa tower by night.

 Goodnight and goodbye Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Stopped by for some doner kebab for dinner while on the way back to hostel. It would be another exciting journey to Florence tomorrow. So long Pisa! Xoxo!