Venice, Italy

21 July
Venice, Italy

... Beautiful...

Expecting an awesome place over played by sickening smells (not really, but maybe just the season).
It was one of those starts... expected to get off early but left late. We woke up promptly at at 07h30. Had some cereal showered and went up to reception to buy tickets on the sites organised shuttle. Only problem is they were sold out by the TopDeck crew. Gone are the days of having to much and getting up early...... just like the under 30's on the tour.
We then decided we will take the next shuttle at ten o'clock. Ames made some rolls to take for lunch and Nick went back to reception to purchase the tickets for the bus. In the end he came running back with two 12 hour Venice passes that from activation allow the user 12 hours of use on all waterway buses and buses. Not bad but had to leave earlier than expected. Between Ames handing Nick the directions and him handing them back we missed the 9h30 bus. Tough but thank goodness we have all the time in the world. We headed off on our 30 min trip at about 10h00am we arrived at the main bus station in Venice. It is all the storey books talk about. Every building is wonderful piece of history. You cant count the landmarks as they as all inspiring. The streets are a maze of wonder. The tourists...including us should be taken as a punch on the chin rather than with a pinch of salt. Tourists are the fuel that burns in the city. You do feel part of this engine and it does not feel great at all. We hoped on the river bus to Giardini (Gardens), we explored the non tourist area and fell in love with the wonder of Venice.

Stocked up our vegetable supply for the next few days at a grocer we did not ever want to leave. After this fruitful experience we were ready to get back on tour and wandered the busy streets.

Attempted the Basilica de San Marco for the second time and this time thanking the rain for flooding the entrance managed to divert the original tourist snake to a different entrance which just so happened to put us near the front of the que. If we had known what was behind the Basilica's doors to begin with we would have stood in the que before. A wonderful golden mosaic ceiling that only poets can describe. If you are in Venice please go and don't get to cross with the tourists who only see through the lenses of their cameras. It is truly magnificent. We were blessed.


After 8 out of 12 hours on our pass we were absolutely tired and went home for some fresh veg and pasta. What a wonderful day. Cant wait for the next one...... Please God let the rain stop!