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Published: April 25th 2006
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The Rialto Bridge, and Gondola
Lots of shops over the bridge! Helloo Venice!!
Such a unique and crazy place. As you might expect water cannals and bridges everywhere, With numerous boats and gondolas wanting to take you for a ride. However as nice and romantic as the Gondulars looked, they were just a bit too pricey for our budget. The place was filled with fish markets and stalls with every kind of mask you could think of. The people were increadibly friendly and willing to help you and show you around. (if only we spoke Italian)
What we didnt expect of Venice was the tinny narrow streets that went in all differant directions, like a maze. - we found many dead ends, and had to have our head down in the map for the first few hours.
The best thing about Venice is you can get a slice of pizza or a Gelato anywhere pretty cheap. Italians though, so inventive, conbined the two and invented the pizza in a cone. Of course we had to try one of these unique inventions. To our surprise you could get several flavours and it tasted great.
For a change of scenery, and a ride in a water taxi, we headed for
They are pretty much like twisties...
We get excited about the simplest of things. ey.... the island called Lido where we hired a tandom bike and rode the perimiter of the island. It was a little island with beaches and finally more locals than tourists. We had a great time (after we had mastered the art of riding the damn thing).
Of course everyone makes mistakes and we made a big one. We stayed in this nice camping villiage which was a 15 min Bus ride out of Venice. Well one night we rode the 11a back (thinking it goes in the same direction, or so it seemed on the map) Well it didn't. We ended up in a suburb outside of Venice, with a scant idea of the direction we should taken. So we walked in the general direction, towards a service station. In the meantime we came across two cars parked in the long grass.. But it turned out they were two families, and were more than happy to help us out by driving us part of the way! They knew very little English, but we managed to have a laugh and get out of the gigantic pickle we were in. We still had a fair walk (8km) ahead of us down
Fish Market
Yummy! and smelly. a dimly lit road, but we got back to the camping villiage in the end!!
After 3 nights in Venice we decided to head off the beaten track to Bologna. A real gothic looking city with huge old buildings and a beautiful old square. The elections were on at that point and crowds were gathering around a little TV screen with reporters, reporting the latest news. (we may have been on italian TV,). Only staying one night in Bolognia we had dinner at a very nice resturant and climbed a very tall tower. Then headed off to Florence.
Florence is very simular to Bologna with its gothic old buildings and stone streets - Blended in with a river and some prettty countryside. One of the highlights of the city was the Duomo (house of god) which had very decorative markings on the outside.
We also went to see Michealangelos David. (which we waited two hours in line to go and see, meanwhile we had a great converation with a couple from Israel which made the time go quicker). Dave's doing fine, and sends his regards to Wangaratta.
We also decided to take a day trip out to
Pizza, in a Cone.
Quite easy to eat, nay for the oil that drips down through the centre of the cone. Pisa, to check out the leaning tower (which we weren't alone in doing) but were grateful for the green grass to sunbake on and relax.
One of the best hights we had in Florence was bike tour through the surrounding hills of Tuscany. The scenery was just beautiful. With fields of olive groves and old stone streets, coupled with views across the valleys it was a lot to take in. Even to the point where Stacey lost control of her bike and almost went over the handlebars. But relax parents, she's OKAY!
We stopped at a nice little resurant with a great view for a glass of wine and some fabulous Italian food. (what more could you want) We had an Australain guide who told us some of the Italian traits. Such as the motorists who will park their car in the middle of the street and put the hazzard lights on and stroll in for a coffee and a cigarette. He told us how Italians would go to work at 9am work a couple of hours and then have a two hour lunch break and then work till quite late, and many other traits of this warm
San Marco Bascillia
in the San Marco Piazza, Venice. and friendly country. Lots of fun was had by all and a great bike ride throught the hills!!
Well anyway we have moved on to Rome from here, we will get writing about that as soon as we can. Chiao for now,
Ben and Stacey
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Ruth & Noel
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What an interesting journey
Hi you two, Stacey, you didn't say anything about falling off the bike. Photos terrific. Anzac day here. Had the visit to Nana's grave then morning tea back here. A lovely day.