Venice 19-20 Sep

Check out my photos from Venice on facebook at
http://vuwac.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020516&l=b36a9&id=220000480

Wed 19 Sep
Found my way to Venice and my campsite in Maghera (its really hard to find accommodation actually on the islands) but it was great to just dump my bag and go for a swim as soon as I arrived. Made the most out of the afternoon and headed into venice - what a lovely city to get lost in. The Grand Canal was cool but the tiny ones were much nicer and I felt like I was crossing a bridge every 5 minutes. Walked across Accademia Bridge (one fo only three that crosses the Grand Canal) and arrived at Piazza San Marco - an amazing square (crazy that tourists pay to buy pidgeon food to have them climb all over them). Went up to the top viewing platform of the 99m capinale (bell tower). The sea between the islands was a gorgeous blue and I watched the most amaying orange sunset from the top - so romantic

Thurs 20 Sep
Into town early and on the traghetto (water taxi) out to Murano Island by 9:30. Its the home of Venetian glassblowing so checked out a couple of demonstrations (reminded me of my summer in Nelson) and looked at all the amazing glasswares in the shops (luckily only buying one necklace). At the Glass Museum I got to see all the tools (cant believe I used to know all the names for them) and some awesome centerpieces of Italian gardens made for the doges - amazing. Back to Piazza San Marco to see Palazzo Ducale (official residence of the doges and the seat of the republic government) the cabinet meeting rooms, prisons and bridge of sighs were highlights as well as the worlds longest canvas painting in the Sala del Maggior Consiglio. Basilica di San Marco was nice inside but a little dark so glad I checked out Pala D'Ora (the gold alterpiece behind St Marks Tomb decorated with countless priceless jewels). Took the boat out to Lido Island which seemed deserted out of season but loved taking my shoes off and walking along thebeach. Caught the sunset as I went down the Grand Canal towards home - loved venice