Venice, so different!

Nice, what can you say

Actually the beach needs some sand

First sight of Venice

Better photos of Venice to come!

I didn't get on the net last night as I have to go down 4 flights of stairs (no lift) to get wifi and I was too tired.

So briefly yesterday, we definately got on the wrong train in the morning! Having been at the station since 7.45am for our 8.23 departure we somehow ended up on the train (thankfully going to Milano) leacving at 9.19am. We didn't realise we were wrong until the train didn't leave. At first we thought it was late.  So this meant we were sitting in someone elses seats. Also we missed our connection from Milano to Venice and had to get a later train and once again didn't have seats allocated. Anyway we arrrived and all the hassels fell away after we got to our hotel. We simply could not find it. It was very hot, crowds of people, little alleyways and no street names. Finally, we were rescued by superman. Seriously! An elderly gentleman stopped and asked us which hotel we were looking for and took us there for 5 euros. He called himself superman and I finally trusted him to carry my bag.

Venice is unlike anywhere I have ever been or imagined. I somehow didn't understand that there are NO cars. And that is because there are no streets. Only tiny little alleyways most of which you can stretch out your arms and touch both sides. People everywhere and beautiful old buildings, people yelling, tiny shops and stalls, and the canal. Boats everywhere, water taxis, tourist boats, ferries, private boats and boats carrying everything from fishing lines to dogs!

We started the day at the laudry. Funny the only other people there were from Wellington. Then we walked for about 4 hours, at one time spending 20 mins to find ourselves back in the same place! Lost tourists everywhere with maps. We walked until we were tired then stopped for lunch and walked again. Back at hotel now. We will go down to St Marks Bascilica soon. We saw it last night bit it was closed. The tourist canal boats have been on strike today, hence all the walking. Tomorrow we hope to go to Mureno island where the glass blowing happens and also maybe cross the canal to see a couple of sights over there. Then off to Florence on Wednesday.