Part Four - Venice

---

Well we are here in Venice and having a great time. Ron made an early call and claimed Venice as his favourite place so far - within about half an hour of arriving. He hasn't changed his mind yet so he must be right. I think it was the sight of the water and boats as soon as we walked out of the train station. He loves his water and boats (and maps), so here he gets all three at once. We have spent the last couple of days walking and walking around Venice taking in the sights. It is nice not to have to dodge the traffic and maniac drivers, but instead here you have to dodge the dog doo doos because there are a lot of dogs and not much grass, so it has no where else to go but underfoot! The other thing you have to dodge is the countless number of vendors selling cheap handbags. These guys will be lined up over bridges, all selling the same crappy bags and all hoping to make a buck. I am yet to see anyone take up their great offers so I don't know how they make a living. I feel sorry for them, but I really don't want a bag that will probably fall apart in a month. Today we bought ourselves a twelve hour 'bus ticket', which of course is for the water bus. They have a very efficient system of transport here so it is easy to move about the city. It is very funny watching the different services working in the city. Of course, there are no roads, so no delierey trucks, so everthing moves on a boat, including the ambulance and police. We went past the hospital and saw the row of ambulances lined up outside, as well as the bridge over the ambulance entrance into the hospital itself. We also spotted delivery drivers, a plasterer, a carpenter and other services such as telephone services and food deliveries. It must make your work day just that little bit harder when you have to deal with loading and unloading boats, but I guess that is what they are used to. At least they don't have road traffic to contend with. We took the bus out to Murano and did the tours of the different factories and shops. We got sucked in to paying to see a glass blowing demonstration, only to walk on a bit further to see another one for free. That's a learning experience because you really are gullible till you get stung. It wasn't a lot of money but lesson learnt all the same. We still had to come back with a trinket or two, but unfortunately couldn't fit one of the huge chandelliers into the suitcase. Everything is very gorgeous, but you know full well it will put the luggage scales into overdrive and it just won't be worth the headache of dragging a fragile item all around Europe. We had a seafood lunch today, which was pretty pricey, but it was nice to havea bit of fish or a change and we were in the right spot to enjoy a fish meal. It has been a particularly foggy day today, which makes for an interesting atmosphereand the buildings all look very mysterious and somewhat spooky. Whilst it was nice looking at the buildings sitting in the foggy distance, it was not so great riding in the bus in the open water. You could barely see five metres in front of you, but apparently the driver had a great radar system and every now and then he would toot madly at some fool trying to cut in front of our bus. I checked out where the life jackets were but I really didn't want to have to use one. The water would have been freezing, though Ron said it was probably warmer than the 2 degree day we had today. Whilst it has been pretty cold (and times literally freezing), it hasn't stopped us from doing anything. We packed well for the weather, so we just need to rug up and we are fine. Ron had every intention of swimming in the Mediteranean sea "no matter what the temperature is", but he has since renegged on that wish. I don't blame him. He is having just as much fun looking at the water, so there is no need to torture himself just to fulfill a lifetime wish. Or is there Ron? Anyway, that's it for Venezia, tomorrow we leave for Salzburg where we expect to have Mozart and Sound of Music flogged on every street corner. We are really looking forward to seeing this pretty city and the nice train ride to get there. Until then bye for now from Italy.

---

Photos

Bus stop
Even the bus stop sits on the water

Huge glass sculpture
Trying packing this into the Samsonite

In the mist
And this was in the middle of the day - spooky

San Marco
Sitting in the fog

Comments

[RENanDREW]

venice looks fantastic!
Hi Sue - Would you recommend the trip to Murano? We only have three days in Venice and I'm trying to prioritise islands! I love your photo of the lamp-post in San Marco's square...safe travels to Salzburg. Cheers Ren

[janet]

pidgeons
Were you swamped by pidgeons when you visited San Marco Square or did the fog keep them away?

[Sue de Neef]

No problems with the birds - had more problems dodging bag sellers than pidgeons!

[Sue de Neef]

Hi Ren, I'm responding on an iPhone so will keep it brief. We enjoyed our trip out to Murano for the whole experience - water bus included. It was interesting seeing the glass blowing but you don't need to pay like we did . The factory workers will steer you in their direction as you get off the bus but make sure you also head off to your right to see the main street of Murano which was quite nice. We would have liked to visit more islands but the fog was so bad that it got a little scary out on the water so we gave it a miss. Regards, Sue

[Grainne Ioannides]

Fantastic Holiday
Wow Sue and Ron - I finally was able to read your blogs - I didn't know how to access them before but Cynthia helped me today - what a fabulous holiday - everything sounds amazing - even seeing the fog looks great - you'll be moving onto warmer days with Spring warming up that side of the world. Glad to hear you are doing well and keep up the great blogging. Take care of each other - Grainne

[Sue de Neef]

Hi Grainne! Glad you got onto the blog scene. They are fun to write up, but access is always a problem. We just left Holland today and are in Paris (poor us). We have had lots of spring days, scattered between wet ones and snowy ones, so we can't really complain. Must go, have to write up today's news. Love to you all - Sue and Ron xxx

[Sue de Neef]

Snow???
Hi Grainne and thanks for sending another message. Please don't tell me we are heading into more freezing conditions! It has been cold and wet in France and we are really hoping for some better spring weather to come. We were very lucky in Paris though, the weather was perfect then but has rained every day since leaving. I'lleave you to read the rest of the news in today's blog. Say hi to everyone and take care. Love Sue x