Venice day 2

An easy day wandering around Venice today.  We got the laundry done before we left and got the train in, arrived at about 11.30.

We have bought a 2 day boat pass so we got on and off a dozen boats, taking us to all parts of the Grand Canal.  Walked over the Rialto Bridge, visited the fruit markets (which were just closing down) and the fish markets (which had already closed for the day).  Still very interesting.  We walked from the Ferrovia (where the train gets to the Great Canal) to Rialto.  By the way the crow flies – about a kilometre.  Because of the all the little canals and narrow walkways it took us about 2 hours zigzagging  to reach the bridge, having shops lining each side of these alleys didn’t help the speed of our walking……. 

Had a bite to eat and went back into San Marco Square.  The tide had been high this morning and all the planks were out because water comes into the square and people have to walk on the planks above water level.

Finished the day at about 6pm, standing on the steps of the railway station watching the traffic on the Great Canal while eating a gelato.  We had a good two days in Venice and if it wasn’t for all the tourists it would be a sensational place to visit!!!!  There were 4 huge cruise ships parked at the docks this morning so there were people everywhere.  The weather has been very kind to us and we will certainly miss Venice.  The food and wine and beer and atmosphere makes for a complete visitors paradise.

We only got a little lost coming home and as usual returned exhausted and ready for bed.  I bought a striped t-shirt like the gondola operators wear.  I think I look like a Venetian...Pam thinks I'm blind ....so again we make a good combination??!!

View from Pont Scalzi near the train station.

The newest bridge - built in about 2000 and the first bridge built across the Grand Canal for 70 years.

Venetian masks

Chilli for sale at the markets.

Street scene Venice.

San Marco Square.

Busy day on the canal.

Quiet section of Venice.

Street scene, Grand Canal.

Getting our feet wet on the footpath at high tide.

Grand canal.

Pam at about smoko time.

The best way to cross the street.

Siesta time Venice.

Someone call an Ambulance?

Oops...too late, we'll have to bury this one - delivery to the church in Venice.

The is Grand Canal at about any time of day.  So busy, if you watch in the bottom right corner you can see a gondola almost come to grief.  When the boat goes around it it almost collides with another boat coming the other way!!!!