Italia! Day Three

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Day Three of Italy was spent in the outskirts and lots of dozing of along the way. We dropped by charming Siena for some walking along steep slopes and maze like alleyways, then proceeded to a town most commonly used as resting area for travellers going to and from England, San Gimignano (Ji mi ne-e-ah no).

Siena is a quiet town and 2 hours drive from Florence. It was an important political centre in the early centuries and populated by powerful rival families and their loyal followers.


Siena from a hill


Close up of a church.


Killing time outside a hotel in Siena.


Siena's Doumo. Zebra stripes on buildings are a common sight in Italy as they are the colours of the Government. That makes it easy for anyone to tell the political monument from the regular.


From another angle.


Painters and maintenance crew are employed full time to upkeep the Doumo. Judging from its size, the task is never-ending.


Peek-a-boo! How about a clay statue standing at the window 24 hours?


Entrance to a church near one of Italy's oldest university.



The Piazza del Campo, is at the heart of Siena and the site of the "Palio" horse races that take place in July and August.


When the sun's out in full force and you've no shelter whatsoever.. improvise!


Rival neighbourhoods clearly marked in colours.


Can you sense the law and order of this place?


Time to head on to our next destination!

Stepping into San Gimignano is like stepping into the medieval age when knights roamed and peasants droned. It's also famous throughout Italy for its white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano. I'm not an expert on wines but my dad seemed to like it.


It is tempting to stay in a house like this.






Was half-expecting the Knights of Templar to appear on their steeds.


Too bad the shirts were arranged the wrong way.


Speaking of dessert, I confess to eating gelato everyday when I was in Italy.


I was just drawn to this painting. A judge holds court for the poor as the rich are never too far away to tempt him with gold.


Would like to demonstrate how strong the town's wall really is.


Love those creeping vines


There's a lone well in the Piazza. Sealed. Probably to prevent strange tourists from falling in.


When you're in Italy during World Cup, you cannot escape the excitement. That day was the Semi Finals - Italy VS Germany

This was what we saw on our way back. The atmosphere was electrifying and it was only the Semi.


Imagine me standing on my tippy toes with arms stretched as high as I could muster while taking this shot.


A football fanatic in the making. Go Team Italia.


Everyone wants to get the best view!


Brothers. Anticipating and sharing in a global sports phenomenon.

That's it for Day 3. Beautiful Venice is in the next instalment. My favourite city in Italy at the moment.

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