(cont'd...) It must be the smallest elevator I've seen, only three of us were able to fit in going up to his apartment. There we exchanged pleasantries with his family and I was told that it's his birthday that day. After lunch, we continued our conversation at the balcony located on the upper floor. The location afforded us again of the wonders of its city - bird's eye view! From there, you wouldn't see any crowds, but only a blanket of red tisa (clay tiled roofing) capping every house and building; birds either gliding freely or perched on rooftops showing their territorial instinct to whoever is attempting to get close by; the occasional few steeples sticking out and the forbearing romantic afternoon sun so eager to rest, completed the city's wonderful art canvas. 

After my second cup of tea and regaining our energy, we were out again set to explore the city by foot, the second time. As a matter of fact, if the utilitarian water-bus (vaporetto) or the romantic lavender upholstered seat of water-taxi (gondola) are not your fancy, walking is the ONLY alternative. No car or even bicycle ever roamed streets of Venice, this is why it is almost pollution-free. It was getting dark and so those mini-light lanterns hanged overhead on the streets were turned on to the delight of our eyes. We walked aimlessly with the crowd - going to and fro into every direction, as we had no way of choosing a better route (but of course, we were prepared to get lost this time in this twilight stroll). And that's generally the whole point of travel: having to diligently explore new places and enjoy every moment of it.

Everytime we are in a new place, both me and my wife make sure that we visit any place of worship, Venice was no exception. We are convinced that it is our humble way of giving respect to such town or city. As a matter of fact, we went in to this little chapel and sat for awhile. The atmosphere was nothing different from any church, but again it's those unique and intricate interiors that made my eyes wonder all around.

Back strolling, I started feeling a stronger breeze gushing before us; we're few blocks away from the open plaza - Piazza de San Marco. I can say that this is the biggest area-of-interest on the main island.  There was no obvious decline of activities here: tourists kept strolling and taking pictures while pigeons on the ground mingled contentedly with them. Though there's few construction and maintenance going on in the area at that time, that did not prevent us capturing the stunning beauty of the place. I initially took notice of this beautiful St. Mark Basilica. It's so apart from some that I've seen  because of its golden (or bronze?) horses sculpture on top showing off their gallantry gait to observers. A half concave dome-shaped structure with mosaic profile of Byzantine (?) at the centre augments attraction to the facade. TO BE CONTINUED..

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(cont'd...) I pulled out the cellphone from my pocket and called David. "Hey, Dave, we just arrived! What's your apartment's number? We..." I asked, but was cut. "Don't worry about it, let me just meet you guys up at Rialto bridge!" replying abruptly with hint of a seemingly concealed grin on his end. That left me wondering. When we met afterwards, he explained to me that it's a lot easier meeting us in a popular public place rather that to try our luck in this unusually complicated narrow streets of Venice. I proved him to be right later on.     

After our phone conversation, and while looking at the map our friend Manila had just purchased in an attempt to find our way to Rialto bridge, my wife and I agreed to walk instead of enjoying the leisure of water-bus.

We crossed numerous smaller bridge on our way to Rialto; each offering different views from the other. Vendors are everywhere, some straight-faced, others would offer their traditional greetings: "Buon giorno!". Beware not to negotiate prices with these vendors, you'll waste your time.

David had been at the Rialto bridge way ahead, waiting for us; he assumed that we used the faster water bus. Amidst the crowds filling the whole bridge, I introduced David to my company and we walked away to his place. TO BE CONTINUED...

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Woke feeling a bit worse for wear from the night before, but as always we soldiered on and packed our things and checked out. Our train wasn't until 1pm but there wasn't enough time to get a ferry into and back out of Venice so we stayed in the camp grounds and had a bite to eat and some much needed liquid refreshments until it was time to go.

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Today our plan is to walk through all the small back streets of Venice and see how lost we can get. However before we start that we sat a little cafe for some espressos and then bought a map so that we could find our way out at some point. It was so nice to walk around the streets away from all the tourists, occasionally bumping into some that were checking the map, but mainly seeing the locals who of course had no trouble with all the small lanes and paths criss-crossing the canals. The buildings are so old and it's hard to find one that doesn't have the plaster or concrete on the outside walls falling off. You'd normally think that these buildings are just derelict but it really just adds to the charm of the place.

We somehow found ourselves in the middle of the shopping district and also the middle of the tourists. It was cool seeing all the small shops in all the lanes, but not nice having to navigate all the people. But as we kept walking it started to get worse until we found ourselves in the main piazza with thousands of other people and pigeons. Suddenly Venice lots it's charm and all we wanted to do was get out of there and back into the back streets. Eventually we got away from everyone and found a nice little restaurant near the naval buildings so we sat, ate and relaxed.

We found our location on the map and made a mental note of where to avoid so we decided to head towards the water and some of the parks that are there. As we were walking around the parks we stumbled across an international arts exhibit from some time ago. Most countries had their own little building which at some point contained art. It would seem that once the exhibition was over, they took the art and abandoned the buildings. Was a bit eerie walking around the outsides of the buildings looking at all the over grown plants.

The day was getting on and we had wanted to check out the gondolas before heading back to the camp for dinner, plus we were quite far from where the ferry leaves from so we decided to head back into the city, but also trying to avoid the crowds. Eventually we came across some gondolas and after some umming and ahhing over the price, we fell for the tourist trap and jumped on board. It was nice to go for a 40min gondola ride and see what the buildings looked like from the water (more dilapidated) but not sure it was worth the price you have to pay.

Unfortunately Craig's contact lens decided to give him troubles and so once the gondola was finished we headed for a toilet. At this point we'd lost track of where we were headed as we walked through a variety of lanes, back alleys and across bridges. Thankfully we saw a great little wine shop which was selling the local stuff for 3euros for 1L so we had to jump on that. Comes straight out of a stainless tank and poured into a plastic bottle – all class.

Now it was at this point we found ourselves lost even though we had a map – mainly because the street names we could see weren't on the map. We sort of figured out a likely place we were, but that turned out very wrong. Thankfully we hadn't gone too far before having to turn around and head back in the other (correct) direction.

Once back at camp we sat down outside our chalet and got stuck into the local Merlot, variety of salami, some pickled veg and cheese. None of it any good for our health, but at the time thoroughly enjoyed. Had a really good time eating and drinking that's for sure.

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Our train arrived late in the afternoon and thankfully the bus we needed to take arrived shortly after we did as we weren't too keen on standing around for 40mins waiting for another to come past. Another bonus was that the last stop is actually outside the camp grounds in Fusina. Once we checked in and plonked our bags down in our half of the chalet, we briskly walked to the jetty to catch the ferry over to Venice.

Within half an hour we were on the romantic island of Venice. We didn't really know where to go, but we knew we had to be back at the jetty for the last ferry at 8.30pm so we basically walked straight along the main path and over a number of canals. It would seem that because the ferries all seem to finish fairly early that so does Venice and it was rather quiet as we were walking around. Even the restaurants were nearly empty. With a short amount of time we sat at a table in a square and had a quick meal. One thing that is starting to become apparent is that the waiters that we seem to get just don't seem to be in any rush, in fact they would rather stand around talking to their friends than do their job. We had to wait quite a while for the bill and then even longer for him to come and take payment. Great cooks - not so good with the service. We managed to get our change and make it back to the ferry with a few minutes to spare.

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Continuing with our travel escapade, Venice was put out to plan that night. Good thing I brought my friend David's number who's been residing in Venice for years now. Different images were evoking as soon as I whispered to myself the word "Venecia". My eyes were glazed with tiredness, but my mind seemed to be happy about the excitement its creating hence, I kept the body restless to the annoyance of my sleeping wife beside me.

It was earlier than usual wake up time when I woke up to the whispers coming from the kitchen: the wife and our friend Manila had been quietly preparing our breakfast. After breakfast and all the preparations, the three of us were on our way to Centrale station. I  was surprised to the seemingly weak system of their customer service there. It took them 40 minutes just to show us the right counter to buy global pass tickets. Everything considered throughout this leg, that was only a minor glitz.  

Minutes later, we were on our way to main platform embarking onto TrenItalia's private cabin destination Venicia. Inside and while sitting comfortably, I gazed outside and did what any normal travellers would do. The series of mountain and villas nestled on top of them, the orchards that seem to never end, towns with attractive apartment buildings, etc. had hypnothised me for hours.  They reeled swiftly at my fixated eyes, so much like our train bulleting on its way across occasional tunnels, plains, and valleys. I momentarily closed my eyes, and my thought allowed my senses to welcome similar and inviting Tuscan countryside scenes I watched from The Godfather film. So surreal and yet they're right before my eyes.

I lost track of time and realised later on that we're getting close to Venice. On both sides of the rail underneath, I started noticing serene blue waters. "It  must be the Adriatic sea!" I muttered. Yes, I found out later on that we were passing a railbridge across that gulf heading to the city. Along the horizon, those minute buildings from a distance were becoming prominent.

The Grand Station, as any other major travellers' hub - was busy during that noonday. Shops are everywhere with each window displaying pieces of what Venice are known for, Murano glasses and festival facemasks.  The station is well located as it is adjacent to grand canal. We walked a bit towards the open area heading to the canal and I was awed to its welcoming appeal. The brightness of the mid-day sun on our arrival enhanced the city's undeniable beauty: the jade-coloured water, those water-buses docked close by, the arched bridge from a distance, a series of stunning centuries-old residences and buildings all lined up to the edge of the canal, etc. TO BE CONTINUED...

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Don't forget to buy a 3 day tourist pass when visiting Venice this will allow you to travel on transport 24/7 for the 3 days.. IT WILL SAVE YOU APPROX: 80% on normal fare costs... Also travel is very safe during the day light hours-- DON'T TRAVEL ON THE TRAIN IN VENICE--- AT ANYTIME !!!!!! Mestro is cheaper for accommadation & has all facilities.. also use- verene.com for accommation I found it very cheap. Don't forget to visit the island of Torrecello it has great food & is rich in history, the Cemetrey is also worth a visit & it's also rich in history.. when buy Manrado Glass, ask 4 a certificate of authenticity- so you don't get ripped off... MOST OF ALL DON'T FORGET -- THAT SUNDAY IS A HOLY DAY IN ITALY & TRY NOT 2 TRAVEL ON SUNDAY - if you must travel on Sunday-- DOUBLE CHECK ALL YOPUR TRAVEL AGRANGEMENTS - because I got got caught out badly and it cost me a lot of extra money to travel on Sunday.. TRY TO PLAN YOUR ARRIVAL TIMES -- SO YOU ARRIVE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS IN ITALY--- ALSO (1) DON"T LET THE TAXI DRIVERS TRY TO RIP YOU OFF (2) USE THE TRAIN or BUS FROM THE AIRPORT ITS FAR -- CHEAPER

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Day 21, April 19
saw Judge Jim and wife again at breakfast
Walked to vaporetto stop for Murano, very crowded boat
wandered Murano, saw making a horse, left tip
saw glass kitty with fish inside, didn't buy it, mistake!
vaporetto back to town
pizza for lunch (finally ricotta, spinach)
walked to bus station to time for tomorrow AM
gelato
I went running around by myself to find necklace
walked all the way to train station, vaporetto back
dinner at same pizza cafe, same Asian waitress

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Day 20, April 18
Breakfast upstairs with little french lady
= corn flakes, musseli/yogurt, almost left before breads/croissants
met Judge Jim and his wife from Alaska
walked to St Mark's square, climbed campanille, SCAM  :)
walked to bridge of sighs
tired of tourists, walked back
lunch?
gelato, weird figures in the piazza
dinner at little cafe, pasta with bacon, funny owner
flan for dessert

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Day 19, April 17
breakfast, still no more cake  :(
kind of rainy, they drove us to ferry station
ferry to Varenna, walk to train station, validation machines broken
train uneventful, not enough time for lunch at station when changing
bought paninis on train
arrived Venice, bought Vaporetto tickets
Vaporetto to hotel square
nice old lady helped us find it
waited 30+ minutes to be let in
bathroom accross hall, phone yay!
wandered Venice till dinner, pidgeon poop in my hair
pizza at cafe, no cover charge, too cold for gelato
computer call, pictures lost

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Venezia, Venice, Venetië.  It's a city that conjures up romance, beauty and mystery.   One day in this floating city was enough to make an impression for a life time.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't great but it didn't stop me from enjoying this beautiful city.  The photos don't do her justice.   Just another reason to go back again in the near future.

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Hermosa ciudad...nada que ver con lo que me habían contado sobre Venecia...me habían dicho que olía mal y que estaba en muy malas condiciones, sin embargo creo que es una ciudad invaluable: sus construcciones son todas del tiempo del renacimiento y las iglesias más nuevas datan del siglo XiX. El paseo en góndola es un poco caro y un día es insuficiente para conocer esta hermosa ciudad. Tomé un bote que me dejó en la Catedral de San Marcos que es hermosa y caminé todo el día entre las hermosas calles, canales y puentes. Tengo que volver con más dinero y con más tiempo, pero me voy muy contento de conocer aunque sea un poco de esta Ciudad que en realidad está formada por muchas islas. Por la noche tomé el tren de regreso a Milán.

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venice was very pretty, very confusing, but great to get to lost in. technically you can't really get lost being that you're on an island so it's more like being momentarily confused...for a long time.

glass from the murano islands is beautiful-when we're rich we're going back to buy a gorgeous €10,000 chandelier that we found!

oh but screw the gondola rides-the boat guys who push the gondolas were on cellphones-very romantic. try the water taxi's/subways-they're just as fun.

did get an adorable family of 4 glass penguins! a momma and her three babies.  too cute.  

as our card reader is no longer working, we'll put pictures up when we get a new one.

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Day trip here before heading to Hungary. We just walked around and just relaxed because mu brains wasn´t working propebly because I the night outside. And I didn´t get good night sleep at the night before either. Well, in the evening we got to train to Hungary. It was going through Croatia and Slovenia before coming to Hungary. And I so wanted to go Croatia but we didn´t have time to make that stop unfortunately!!

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To the most amazing city in the world

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