Venice day one

A day planned in Venice today – a gondola ride, a trip to Murano glass.  Easy you would think?  Got to the train station at 9.35….the 9.34 train had just left….no problem, the next one is at 10.04….we can wait.  By the time we orgainsed parking and tickets…time to go.   Nooooooo, check the departure time….11.17????  I went to the information desk.  Delayed.  His response, ‘Is Italy, is train, is come, you no worry, the train come, you wait, you enjoy, the train take you to Venice.’

The train come, is take us to Venice at 11.30.  We no worry!!!!

Got to Venice, a short 2 stops and 20 minutes on the train.  It really is the only way….even if train run on Italy time….it come, we enjoy!!!   

The first problem we encounter….crowds!!!  Thousands of them.  The problem we had – fine weather.  The sun is out, sensational weather.  They should have a roster system – the first fine day – all the people whose names start with P and V can go first.  It would have saved us a lot of pushing and shoving.  Pam has started to use her elbows!!!!  You know the quiet, unassuming Pam…yep…she gets angry!!!!

First stop – a gondola ride, I know very touristy, but they take you down some very quiet canals, it is very peaceful and it is a must do on the tourist list.

Next stop – Murano Island where all the Murano glass is made.  Lots of commercial operations but absolutely the most stunning glass art you have ever seen.  Pam couldn’t resist herself and got a couple of pieces.

A slow boat back to Venice and a little walk around, an afternoon drink and an early tea before we got home with no further Italian train issues at 8pm.  All ready for bed and a lazy day walking the back streets of Venice tomorrow.

On a bridge over a canal.

The gondola rider

Pizza for lunch - thank goodness it is all fat free and the cheese has only good cholesterol!!!!  Yes, I did have 2 pieces.

The view when we got out of the train station

The Bridge of Sighs

Taxi Venice style

Selfy Venice style

View from a gondola

Almost high tide.

Bridge over the Grand Canal.

Happy for a ride.

What a team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plane coming into land over Murano island.

Murano glass everywhere.

Downtown Murano.

Walking the dog Venice style. (That's the cemetery in the background)

Afternoon drinks on the Grand Canal.

Another glass shop.

Fish for tea. YUMMMM.

Peak hour - Venice.