What a disastrous sleep! The little Philipino darlings partied until after midnight, and then started "rehearsing" again at 8 a.m. Penalty of a city camp.

Set off for Milan after a good chat to Ross and Kate . Milan is home of Armani, Prada, Versace, Gucci and more - fashion capital of Europe with Paris. Bus then Metro took us to Piazza del Duomo. Making up for the rain at St Marc's in Venice, we could enjoy this Piazza. Started with coffee while we got our bearings. Then took an Open Top Bus Tour with great commentary. Really helps to orientate you, at least to the central city area.

Sat in the Piazza to eat our lunch, and noted the absence of troublesome hawkers present in other Italian cities (usually African with rellies in Melbourne!).

Then the Doumo (cathedral). To quote, "a frenzy of flying buttresses, 153 spires and 3200 statues, all in pink-tinged Cadoglia marble". World's largest Gothic church, third largest of any style in Europe. Started in1386, completed in1812. The outside has been recently cleaned and looks wonderful. A work in progress - probably like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, an ongoing clean up job. Looked at the inside, very dark although beautiful, with carved marble columns and more statues . Beautiful stained glass windows give all the light needed. Looked at the early Christian Baptistry, accessed from under the church, dating to 500s. The crypt had the tomb of St Carlo Borromeo.

Then we climbed the 165 steps to the roof. Interesting - the roof is marble slabs, not tiles, and up to now has not had lead gutter drainage, although same being installed as part of the restoration. Great views from the roof, and a weird feel, walking across the ridge of marble slabs.

Back to the Piazza for an ice-cream.

Then La Scala. I have always wanted to see the La Scala Opera but we did not score a show. Statue of Leonardo da Vinci looking on from Piazza Della Scala opposite. The Opera House, built in 1778, looks almost austere outside but inside lived up to my expectations - "six-tiered, chandeliered interior of guilded arches and scarlet-silk lined private boxes" you can enter and view up close via the museum, (even though they were renovating the chandeliers.) The museum itself contains instruments, costumes, manuscripts, paintings of artists and numerous busts of composers. All beautifully displayed and well worth the visit.

Our great slow day almost at an end, we stopped for a wine and a beer in the piazza again, to watch folk walk by. Great entertainment.

Back by train and bus, to the noisy campsite , where the Philippino kids are still going strong and noisier then ever!