Rome to Marina di Pisa 28 July via Livorno

The train from Rome to Pisa stops at Livorno, about 10 km away from Marina di Pisa. We decided to stop over and take a look at the town. We know that there are busses from Livorna to Pisa, which stop at Marina di Pisa. And Carl promised me lunch. (Which turned out be a pizza slice on a sidewalk cafe, but I insisted on getting a chocolate ice cream, medium, not small, which was the most delicious ice cream I have tasted)

We had heard from Heikell that the largest bridge in the world was to be found in 

Livorno.  At first glance, no bridges in sight, but then we found out that the Piazza de Republica is the bridge. The photo shows the canal passing under the bridge (piazza.). The bridge over the canal is about 200 m wide. 

The four Moors or Quattro Mori is Livornos most popular monument. The statue of Ferdinando I dei Medici founder of Livorno and Grand Duke of Tuscany was made in marble and completed 1599. It commemorates his victory over the moorish pirates who roamed the entire Mediterranean. The image of the monument has been reproduced many times in old prints and in the works of Macchialo artists. It is said that from a particular spot the noses of all four moors can be seen. Finding this spot is supposed to bring good luck. The photo found this spot and we are now waiting for our good luck.

The story goes that the sculptor used two slaves as models for the monument. As reward they were freed. According to one account in Google one of them moved to Florence, stared a family and used to bring his children to look at the monument.

We passed by the public garden which was laid out in a park in 1854. This park used to contain many animals, amongst others the famous bear known as Gigi Balla, dancing bear. The famous local song writer, Bobo Rondelli, dedicated a song to Gigi Balla, which can heard on YouTube. Great song :-(

I gave my rug sack to Calle with the intention of buying a new one sometime. On the 

Piazza Republica we found a shop specialising in rugby clothes and accessories. Turns out the Livorno is a rugby haven and people are crazy about buying rugby paraphernalia. Most popular are the All Blacks and then the Springboks. The owner of the shop designs the clothes himself and I must say the design is better than those T-shirts one can buy at the airports in SA. So there the rug sack was right in front of me and I could not resist buying it.

We travelled by bus along the seafront. All along the seafront for kilometres and kilometres are lovely beaches and hotels. Very green and luscious. Maybe this is why we have previously heard of Livorno.

Back in Marina di Pisa, the sea is wild with the waves breaking over the breakwater.

The entrance to our Marina is narrow and very turbulent. At about 7 pm we went to see the waves and found a yacht entering the Marina in very strong wind and breaking waves. 

Very exciting and very nerve racking for the captain. 

The yacht was guided in by a "marinero" in a rubber dingy, no life jacket and and the boat flying over the waves. The Mariners work for the Marina and are around to assist with everything. The yacht made it!

The beach front of Marina di Pisa

A 4 kilometre long stretch lined with these houses with the crashing sea on the other side of the street.

We needed a break after watching the yacht and stopped at the New York cafe. Here, and like all bars in the towns north of Rome, you get almost a whole meal of buffet- style tapas, every night, not only on Fridays like in Malmo.

Turns out the New York cafe is the bikers hang out. After a while we felt that we were missing our motorbikes and leather clothing and decided to move. Especially when we discovered the pirate flag flying on top of the New York cafe!

Besides the 4 km long beach front, Marina di Pisa is only about 4 streets wide. More lovely buildings.