Friday, 20 May 2011

Day Nine–Arrival at Venice

As reported last night the late departure from Korcula delayed our arrival by some two hours. If this unfortunate event had not occurred this would have been the view greeting us this morning.

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Through the night a thick fog had descended in the area meaning little of the scenery could be viewed. Fortunately by the time we arrived at Venice the sun had burned away the fog giving these splendid views.

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They say that the views of Venice from a cruise ship are second to none, and I have to say that I fully agree with that statement. There must have been 3,000 cameras all pointing at St. Mark’s Square as we sailed by, and they will all have a similar photo to this.

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In fact I’ve still got several hundred from last year!!!

Today we had agreed to stay on the ship in the morning to allow Oliver & Victoria to have their gondola ride, the romance of it would have been spoiled with Poppy and Joey. The arrangements however were further complicated due to Poppy being sick in the night and having to attend the doctor’s surgery. A throat infection was diagnosed as the cause and after a prescription of anti-biotic, she started to buck up. Joey on the other hand didn’t need anything to pep him up, being full of beans . For the next two hours while Poppy gently recovered in her cabin, either Sylvia or I were pulled along the corridors, up and down in the lifts and back again. We were relieved when at almost exactly 1 o’clock he asked to be put in his cot and went straight to sleep.

In the afternoon it was our turn to venture forth and we decided rather than catching the water-bus that we would walk. The weather today had been exceptional with clear blue skies and very bright sun, so we were pleased that by the time we had decided to go out it had cooled a little. The walk from the ship takes you to the far end of the Grand Canal which is the busy backbone of Venice, alongside all the tourist craft can be found commercial boats delivering products to the shops that litter the banks.

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This end of Venice is less crowded but still gives the opportunity for the standard holiday snaps.

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We were able to explore the small streets that were quiet and relatively tourist free.

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But still come across gondoliers resting after a busy day plying their trade.

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And we were able to still enjoy an ice-cream….

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and a drink in a canal side bar.

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But when you are in Venice, no matter where you are all roads really do lead  to St. Marks Square.

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The boat is going to re-positioned  around midnight to a new mooring just down the road from the Doge’s palace, so tomorrow it will be easier to get off. More on Venice then.

The answer to yesterday’s question, the currency in Croatia is the KUNA, the current exchange rate being around 8 to the £. Another Venice based question tomorrow.

2 comments:

  1. Looks lovely weather. Not gonna comment on the need for antibiotics. Tomorrow's question should be based around how many street can have exactly the same name making it easy to get lost.

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  2. I would also like to see a factoid on just how many stores sell masquarade masks!!! ;)
    I got a gorgeous glass necklace / bracelet set when I was in venice, but it got lost when I was in college.

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