Belated Day 14 - Venice Day 3


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June 22nd 2011
Published: June 23rd 2011
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Murano ChurdhMurano ChurdhMurano Churdh

A neat-looking church in Murano
***Obviously, I was unable to post this before we left Venice, as the WiFi was still down when we left.

We purposely took our time getting up and ready this morning because we wanted to buy 24-hour transit cards that would last us until tomorrow morning when we leave for the airport. We boarded a vaporetto to Murano via San Marco, but when the guy on the boat told us he couldn't sell the 24-hour tickets, we got off at San Marco to buy one. We were fortunate that the guy on the boat didn't make us pay the 6.50 Euros for the trip from Guidecca. I read a sign on the vaporetto terminal that said that the 24-hour passes were good for all boat trips and the busses to Messe and Lido, but did not include the bus trip to Marco Polo Airport, but for 3 Euros more each (vs. the 9 Euros normally charged) we could add that to the itinerary. When Manoli tried to buy the tickets, the guy told us that was another line and he couldn't sell those tickets. Later, when we'd been to the bus station, the guy there said our tickets were good
Glass CometGlass CometGlass Comet

An awesome display of blown glass called Comet of Glass Star, or something like that, in Murano
for that trip too, so we'll cross our fingers. We got on the next vaporetto to Murano after buying and validating our tickets, and away we went. We spent a good part of the day just strolling in Murano and shopping the glassware shops. Well, Manoli and Alexis did. I mostly waited patiently outside. Manoli and Alexis both ended up buying Murano glass caligraphy pens and Alexis also bought a neat ring made or Murano glass. we hadn't really made any plans for lunch, but had started looking at the restaurants and cafes we passed. The cafes only seemed to have sandwich type stuff, and the restaurants were even more expensive there than in Venice. Luckily, the lady where the girls bought their pens told us of a very good and less expensive place nearby, so we ended up eating at the Ristorante dalla Monvo, or something like that. On our way there, we saw this awesome huge glass star on display. Apparently it was a Christmas gift to the town in 2007 by one of its master glass craftsmen. The restaurant's service sort of sucked, and the prices were still a bit higher than expected, especially with both a
Murano LunchMurano LunchMurano Lunch

The restaurant we ate lunch at in Murano
"coverto" (table or cover charge) and an 18% service charge, but the food was very good. Manoli had another salad with mozzarella di bufalo and tomatoes and stuff, Alexis ordered spaghetti with tomatoe sauce again, and I was adverturous and order Taglialini giancole, which was a pasta like fettuccini with spider crab, served half-in the crab shell. It was different, very good, and not that expensive at 8.50 Euros.

By the time we finished eating, and finally could pay the bill, we'd had enough of Murano and decided to return to Venice to see anything we may have missed yesterday. Part of the plan was to end up at the supermarket we'd found the day before and buy an assortment of meats and cheeses to eat in front of the hostel. In trying to navigate our way there thru the winding, seldom perpendicularly-meeting streets, I realized we really had seen much of the Grand Canal or any of the famous Rialto bridge. We finally found both and were duly impressed. Check out the photos! We then found the bus station where we hope to catch a bus to Marco Polo Aiport tomorrow and the ticket guy told Manoli our
Interesting-looking dishInteresting-looking dishInteresting-looking dish

My plate of Tagliatini Giancole, shell and all
tickets we good for that bus, number 5. Next, after going around in circles trying to locate the same supermarket from yesterday, I finally got directions to one right near the bus station. We bought a couple types of cheeses and meats, fresh ricotta cheese for Manoli, olives, a dish of a local cold rice salad, and a bag of toast. One of the cheeses seemed awfully bland to me, the salad was ok but a bit pastey, but both the meats (a very thinly sliced prosciutto and a Sorpresa dei Vicenzia) were excellent. After taking the vaporetto back to our hostel on Giudecca, we sat out front on the sea wall and ate. I started this version of the blog while Manoli and Alexis went for a walk. Unfortunately, the wifi here is STILL down, since yesterday evening and supposedly won't be working until tomorrow morning. I'll do my best to post yesterday's blog and this one before we leave for Barcelona.


Additional photos below
Photos: 15, Displayed: 15


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Pheasant... of GlassPheasant... of Glass
Pheasant... of Glass

Another display of glass, this time solid, hand-worked glass depicting a flock of ducks in flight over a pond. Also awesome!
Vaporetto ApproachingVaporetto Approaching
Vaporetto Approaching

Our vaporetto from Murano to San Marco coming into the pier
Ahhh, gelato!Ahhh, gelato!
Ahhh, gelato!

Alexis enjoying her gelato
The Grand CanalThe Grand Canal
The Grand Canal

The Grand Canal of Venice, from the Rialto bridge
Ponte RialtoPonte Rialto
Ponte Rialto

The Rialto bridge, from the Grand Canal (Almost, as I took it from a very narrow pier)
Alexis and the bridge, Act 2Alexis and the bridge, Act 2
Alexis and the bridge, Act 2

Alexis posing on the Rialto bridge
Racing Gondola?Racing Gondola?
Racing Gondola?

Two guys working a personal gondola in front of the Museum of Natural History
The Grand Canal from the boatThe Grand Canal from the boat
The Grand Canal from the boat

A view from our vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal
Alexis, Housewife-In-TrainingAlexis, Housewife-In-Training
Alexis, Housewife-In-Training

Alexis buying stuff in the supermarket near Piazzael di Roma
Ostello Venezia from our vaporettoOstello Venezia from our vaporetto
Ostello Venezia from our vaporetto

Approaching our hostel, Ostello Venezia, on the vaporetto
Dinner al FrescoDinner al Fresco
Dinner al Fresco

JC and Manoli having dinner on the sea wall in front of the hostel


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