First obstacle of the journey - we didn't know that we had to pay a booking fee for this train ride. It was a 3 hour long journey. Easily solved. We just paid the booking fee there and then. 
Had my dinner which was just Italian McDonald. Their potato wedges were really delicious! Don't know why they never introduce it in the UK. I can't believe that I miss them now. Fast Forward >>
From our Verona experience of getting off too early. This time, we made sure that we checked the station before getting off. However, when we arrived at the station before Florence main train station (Firenze Santa Maria Novella), we were told (actually forced) to get off.
Of course by that time, we were very reluctant to get off. But when we saw that everyone was getting off, we just had to follow. The disadvantage of not understanding the language. Don't know what's going on and we can't argue at all.
So, we got down at Campo di Marte Station. It was almost midnight, the place was stranded with so many tourists, no taxis around, a few dodgy people hanging around approaching these helpless tourists if they wanted the transport that they're providing instead.
I was worried but haven't started panicking. M and C were the same. At first we went out to the exit to see if there was any means of getting to the main train station as our hotel was just walking distance from there. We saw this group of Chinese tourist and one of them was busy calling somebody, a girl helping him to read some information on pieces of paper. C suggested that we asked them if they knew anything. But one of the guy just said he didn't know anything.
With M's quick thinking, she called our hotel. He told her that we had to take the cab to the hotel as it was not within walking distance from where we were. I suggested to M if he could call a cab for us, but we didn't know why he suddenly just said he didn't know what were we talking about and just hung up.
Again, we back out to the exit just to see if we could just catch a cab. But all the cab which passed by just drove past without stopping at the station even when there's millions of people trying to flag them down. M asked the Chinese group of tourists again cause now another guy took over the phone and he was speaking in Italian so they might know something, however, none of them was willing to share anything. So self-centered!
I told M we should call the hotel again and ask if he could at least give us a number to call for a cab. Luckily, the receptionist gave us the number for radio taxi. The next challenging part was to order that cab. With M's persistence and me looking for the name of the station and the appearance of an operator who speaks some English....
'Your taxi will be here in 5 minutes.'
We were practically jumping for joy.
We went to the exit to wait for our cab. There were still groups of stranded tourists. One of the lady from the Chinese group came over to ask M if she had found any means, and M kindly gave her the number for the radio taxi.
Shortly after, one cab with the number we called pasted on the doors pulled over. The driver came out and opened the boot and this group of Italian tourists practically threw their bags into the boot and the driver didn't even confirm who ordered the cab. I panicked and just shouted M's name cause she booked it under her name. Then I shouted 'For 3?' with three fingers up to indicate that if he didn't understand.
The driver turned and said 'Si, Si, M for three (in Italian)'. Then we pointed at ourselves to say that we were M's group of 3. I quickily took my bag and put it into the boot instead. We quickly got into the car....the Chinese group came to beg us if we could just sent them to the main train staion. There were practially 10 of them and we only have 1 cab. So, we told them that we couldn't. Who knows if we let them get into the cab first and they will never send it back here again. Or even worse, send the cab back without paying for their fare.
We had done enough for them after M gave them the number to call the radio taxi, and they had someone who speaks Italian with them. They were at a better advantage as compared to our group. That was the time when it was really like the survival of the fittest. Groups of tourists competing with each other to get out of the place. Who will reach their hostel the quickest?
Finally, hotel sweet hotel
I was really impressed with this hotel. We paid the same amount for our Venice hotel but the standard and room space was doubled. Even the number of paintings and mirrors in the room were two times more.
Some shadow play. The witch, the little girl, and the poet. Hahahaha. That was the impression I got from our side shadows. 
All ready and set to check out and to explore Florence!
I even got to take a huge peach for breakfast. 
Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore - a really beautiful cathedral with Gothic designs. The golden door was the Gates of Paradise of the Baptistry. 
Got to go inside. Had a glimps of The Last Judgement painting just under the dome. 
Lunch: Smoked bacon sandwich 
We were lining up to go into The Accademia to see the real Statue of David by Michaengelo. I think we queued for about 1 hour before it was our turn. So, while taking turns to queue, we went souvenir hunting.
Of course, we didn't buy anything from this vendor.
We were charged 10 euros each to enter the gallery. Can't even take photos in there. I stole the above photo from wikipedia. But I can say that, I've never imagined the statue to be so impressive. It was huge and so detailed that you could even see the veins on the back of his hand. Apparently this statue was the ideal proportion of the human male. I don't know how true that is, but his hands do look a bit too long.
There was the replica at Palazzo Vecchio which was out in the open and we could take photos with it. Still looked impressive.
There were many other sculptures there.
This was really funny. We saw this old couple sitting on the bench, and we just asked one of them to take our photo while sitting down. Hahahah.
There are many of these really beautiful paintings on the walls in Florence.
Another church which I've forgotten the name.
Statue of a lionPonte Vecchio
The old bridge of Florence.
It is unique in that there's a row of shop lots on each side all along the bridge.
There's so many people shopping on the bridge.
There's so many shops sellling gold. But I cannot afford even the smallest and lightest piece.
Can even make your own wooden doll.
View from the bridge.Casa de Dante
Dante was the author of 'The Divine Comedy'. He was the one who introduced the concept of Paradise, Purgatory and Hell. We visited the church where he met his wife whom inspired him to write this poem.
Statue of Leonardo Da Vinci
Seal of the Medici family. The Medici family was the weathiest family of Europe for a period of time and they were the one who regulated the banking system.
Tired, feet aching, resting while planning where to go next.
Two very real life looking statues....just joking.There is always time for shopping:
Do we look taller and slimmer? Apparently, by placing the full length mirror at a certain angle, you'll look more flattering.
Queen of shopping in action. We went into Sicily as it was just located opposite our hotel. 
Clothes and more clothes We had to grab our bag to head off to Pisa that evening. Haven't even booked a place to stay and our Amazing Race continues with more obstacles to go through. So hectic.
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