More treasures of Lucca

An aerial shot of Lucca surrounded by her walls.

Another early rise, and a super "Angeli" breakfast, such an array of food from this dear petite "Maison de Charme". First destination for the day was back to Lucca's grand wall to finish of our walk, had not fully completed it the day before, and of course for the Brig to check out some more of the wall's bastions

and the like! The tree topped Tower below is Tower Guinigi We walked on to Amphitheater Square The old Roman Amptheater built in the second century after Christ by consul Quintio Fibio still impresses with its "oval" shaped form it has four archways and is surrounded by residential buildings Some of the original roman walls are still visible on the surrounding street. Next stop will be the 13th century Tower Guinigi - it was the property of the rich merchant family - Guinigi

planted on the top are century old holm-oaks.

We decide to climb this tower (230 steps - up) to see Lucca from above

Our climb up was leisurely -taking plenty of breaks to check the view out,

and for a few too many photos.

Frank relaxed under Francisco Guinigi's wall drawing

Lucca's Ampitheater can be seen in both these photos

We're at the top

with the old holm-oaks.

Lucca's numerous towers from above

It's Duomo below

and a quick look in someone's back roof garden .

Now it's time to relax in Palazzo Pfanner's Italian garden

The construction of this Palazzo goes back to 1660 - owned by another wealthy Luccan merchant.

It has much history - ups and downs over the centuries

but in the 19th century was taken over by an Austrian brewer - Felix Pfanner

The Pfanners still own the property, and since 1995 have opened the building and gardens to visitors.

It was so quiet and peaceful

and the roses were in full bloom

ah, and the perfume!!

There were earthenware pots of lemons accompanying the monumental string of 18th century statues of the Greek Olympus and the Four seasons.

This Baroque Palazzo and its glorious gardens have been used for movies, such as Jane Campion's - The Portrait of a Lady (1996).

What a very pleasant way to relax after our climb up and down of the Guinigi Tower - just delightful, and all by ourselves. We strolled back through the lanes to Ampitheater Square time to look for a Trattoria to feed us

and of course check out the Luccan pottery

well - one of us!

Late afternoon in the Ampitheater - and sadly our last evening in Lucca.

Beach Sculptures

The SWELL Sculpture Exhibition is on at Currumbin this week - after Sam Stosur's super win at the USA Grand Slam early morning our time, we decided to drive to Currumbin Beach to have a look at this year's Sculptures, and enjoy a long walk in the sun.

Flags fly in front of the Surf Lifesaving Club

As does this brilliant green polar bear There were a variety of different scuptures

created out of all kinds of materials

beside the boardwalks

and on the beach.

Lovely way to celebrate an Aussies first win in a Women's tennis Grand slam for 31 years - and she comes from the here.

The USA Grand Slam

We definitely had an early rise this morning - the Gold Coast's Samantha Stosur was taking on Serena Williams in the Grand Final of the USA Open. How incredible Sam was - calm, strong, and an absolute lady through the whole match, she took Serina by storm (so to speak) AND SAM WON!!

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Not sure if the Gold Coast will be so CALM when Sam arrives home.

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Yesterday, the Residents held a barbeque down at the Golf Club, but Frank and I made sure we were home in time to see the 2nd half of the WALLABIES versus ITALY Rugby match - glad we missed the first half!! Anyway the W's won 32-6, next Saturday they take on Ireland.

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The Rugby World Cup

The Official opening of the Rugby World Cup in Auckland was spectacular, 20 teams with loads of supporters from around the World are competing over the next few weeks.

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Before the "Official" opening, Ethan's School on the Te Atatu Peninsular had their own display - his face was painted, and his Haka was excellent - have seen it on the school's video. Ethan really has 4 teams to barrack for - New Zealand, Ireland, England, and his class are also backing the USA - so a reasonable choice there.

The Maori Call and

the Maori Haka

were definitely prominent

The fireworks lit up Eden Park in Auckland

and also highlighted Auckland's "Harbour of Sails"

Just a really great performance and opening to the Rugby World Cup.

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And for the Brig and I

GO THE

Tanzania and Rwanda

We have just received another email and some photos from Gilly and Geoff, after Kenya they have spent time in Tanzania - which is where they saw the playful and family side of a Hyena couple with their baby twins on the plains below.

Last week they were in Rwanda at the Volcano National Park to spend 2 separate days trekking out to see two different groups of Mountain Gorillas. There are only 8 families of Gorillas which tourists are allowed to visit - 8 tourists only per group with a guide, number of visitors per day is extremely limited - once you have trekked and found the Gorilla family, you can spend one hour only with them. It does sound like it is very well controlled - there are only about 780 Mountain Gorillas left in the world now.

These are photos from Gilly and Geoff, and on their two days, they saw two different families, with the head Silverback Gorilla above, and middle age and very young ones, like this little guy below.

I have read that these Mountain gorillas were not known to Science till 1902, and that we humans and gorillas are 98% genetically identical.

Gilly and Geoff were amazed how the Rwandans appeared to have recovered, and the city of Kigali and the surrounding areas are so very clean and full of agriculture - no plastic bags - instead woven bags from banana leaves, no coke cans garbage or debris on the roads, and apparently local produce is the only way to go. They visited the Genocide Memorial Centre - G and G's words - "a very powerful place". They are now at Victoria Falls, and back in Canberra on Geoffrey's birthday next Wednesday. We shall get to look at "all", and I mean thousands of shots when we catch up with them in Canberra on our way to the Snowy Mountains in November - what an experience they have had though.