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Published: October 3rd 2012
We've finally arrived in Venice - Venezia, Italy.
"I gaze on Venice with joy, on that great being born from the womb of the sea, like Pallas from the head of Jove." "Journey to Italy' W Goethe, Rome 11.09.1786.
Our journey started at 3.30am with tea and toast at Hope Island and ended at 5.30am 2 days later (using the same clock setting) - some 50 hours later in a small trattoria with an Indian waiter who wanted to talk about his brother who lives in Prospect, SA and about the cricket at the MCG! What a small world we live in!
We had stopovers in Brunei, Dubai and London and then a trip on the water public transport to pick us up to take us to the hotel.
Wow what a place Venice is. Our hotel - the Rialto is very well known and is beside the famous Rialto Bridge located on the Grande Canal where everything happens - just outside our window! You can see a photo of it in this blog.
We have a very large and opulent room, all decorated with Murano glass features, extra large bed and a soft fabric wall
covering and brilliant views out the window -after all the bridge is there, and a lot happening on the canal at all times - very busy.
To our delight there is a lot of shopping with some of the most well known designers- Gucci, Prada, Benetton, Max Mara etc hidden away in the back streets. Love looking at all the winter fashions - look out Australia they'll be there soon enough.
We've been to San Marco square which was just stuffed with tourists. We wondered why there were raised planks around the square - apparently they're used when the water table rises - apparently the square often experiences this through the underground drains where the water enters- you can see in a picture here of the rising water.
Today is day 3 for us and we've trawled the streets - well if you can call them that... so narrow and it's amazing if you find anything as wide as our streets - most are narrow walkways. Signs are rare and hard to find where you're going or supposed to be going but fun anyway as we've found many quaint little places to eat or shop or just
to look at - an adventure in itself.
Very strange not seeing one car, truck, bus, motor bike, scooter or even anyone on any type of wheels for the last few days. Everyone uses boats, or public water transport or water taxis to get around if they're not walking... it's very evident everywhere that Venice was built a very long time ago - in the 15th century.
The hotel also arranged a private driver for a trip to Murana Island to see the famous glass blowing/making factory - although probably not the right thing to call it a factory when everything is hand made individually - yes we bought some glassware - it's beautiful - a figurine of a couple cuddling - well we are on our honeymoon are we not?! Also bought a couple of gorgeous clowns - hopefully we can download the photos on here for you. These will be delivered home so hopefully they will arrive safely.
We love the tiny shops in the alleyways, selling beautiful jewellery, leather bags, belts etc. Today John trying on tartan pant and leather belts while I have been checking out the beautiful jewellery.
The major thing
we did today was visit the Doge's Palace built between 1438 and 1443. It was massive, a huge prison within as well as where the government of the day convened and it was also the residence of the ruling Doge. Not sure how many rooms it had but would have to be in the hundreds.... although didn't see any bathrooms....
From the Doge's Palace we could see a roof garden restaurant further along on the waterfront which we thought would be a great place to have a long, lazy lunch so we left the Palace and enjoyed a beautiful meal with the most fantastic views over the nearby islands and the sea - bustling with all types of water vessels going about their business. A beautiful warm and balmy day - just lovely.
The group we're doing the cruise with start arriving in a couple of days and by Friday we'll be on the ship which sails out the day after.
Signing off now to head to the other side of the canal to test out their fares for dinner.
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Noveen
non-member comment
Hi from Australia
Hi Lyn and John, lovely to see you have started with your blog. Venice looks great and the weather looks perfect! I was disappointed that the photo in the restaurant you did not have a glass in your hand!! Love the figurine will go well in your house. We are in countdown mode now. We are going out Sat night to Delizios to celebrate our anniversary. Will drink to you both! Cheers Noveen.