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Published: September 5th 2015
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We were at 5.30 for an early start in Venice as it gets more chaotic there as the day progresses. We got the 7.24 train from Portogruaro which had us to St Lucia by 8.30. Daphne opted to stay around the nearer part of town to shop and people watch while the four of us got a day ticket on the vamporisa’s (ferries). We headed off down the Grand Canal to San Marco Square (of course) and admired the beautiful palaces and ornate building lining the canals. Most look charming but on closer inspection no doubt the basements are damp and smelly and many were somewhat dilapidated at water level. It was the fish market day so it was interesting to go by and see the markets being set up and fish being delivered by boats.
On arrival at SM Square things were already heating up with a long queue formed to get tickets to St Marks and the Doge’s Palace. We have been there before and Neil and Karilyn wanted to spend the time they had on Burano Island. We sat in a nearly deserted square to have a coffee and to hell with the price. What a place
to be to relax with a coffee and biscuit and admire the passing people traffic.
We then got a ferry to the Lido where there are swimming beaches. This was to connect to a boat to Burano. It all sounds very simple but it’s not. It’s not obvious what boats to get where, when trying to map out the best boat to catch. Anyway, we eventually did arrive at Burano after a slow trip over a long distance, by which time it was midday. Lindsay and I were mindful that Daphne was waiting back at the train station for 2pm for us so we had a quick look around Burano and took many pictures. It is my favourite part of Venice as it has attractive brightly painted houses, canals and interesting boats moored along the canals. Burano is know for it’s lace making and Karilyn particularly wanted to visit the museum which she did and thoroughly enjoyed it. In the meantime Lindsay and I attempted to find our way back to the train station to catchup with Daphne. Her phone wasn’t receiving texts and I couldn’t send any to N&K because of no signal – so incommunicado as far
as who was where and when. Our boat from Burano meandered slowly across the lagoon, past vast amounts of floating reeds to Murano near Torchello. This we thought would connect to something going to San Marco or the Grand Canal, but no. It finished it’s journey on the wrong side of the island and there was no boat connection so we had to walk across the island to the Rialto Bridge. What a mission. People everywhere and hopeless signage in meandering narrow streets. Somewhat ratty, we eventually arrived at the bridge and located a boat going up the canal to the train station. Of course it was a slow one and by now the charm of Venice had worn off completely. It was hot, we were sweaty and everything seemed to be a muddle of people. Once we arrived we couldn’t find Daphne and after some time she saw us and called out “Kiwis, kiwis”. She had been sitting and waiting since midday! What a patient girl but she was quite happy and had met another maori girl who recognized her own kind. She was lovely, from Wanaka and had been travelling for monthsworking and sightseeing. A true adventurer.
Colourful Burano
This island is known for it's lace making In the meantime, Karilyn and Neil had had a successful visit to Burano but got a boat going the long way back. Much longer. In due course we all ended up together, amazingly.
We got the train back to Portogruaro and went back to the farm for a well earned shower and cleanup. Neil and I then set to with making dinner until Piero turned up with some additions to be made. We made it his day off for cooking for visitors.
It is Karilyn and Neil’s last day with us so they had farewells to make to Pierina and Piero. Daphne, Linds and I will see what the rest of the week brings.
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