Off to the station for a little espresso and cappuccino. We liked the coffee there the morning that we had arrived in Verona, so it made sense to ensure we were at the station early to release the stress and to chill with a coffee.
Tan: Our train ride to Venice was interesting. A Jamaican man was chatty with me when I first got on board, as he was loving my hat! We had to help another tourist who did not get his open ticket stamped at the platform. We were the mediators between that dude and the agro conductor. In Italiano we said that he didn't know and that he was a tourist not from here. Thanks to us, old nuffy tourist avoided a €30 fine! Yay!! Come on casino, return that karma loving! Casino, McLovin style!!
We arrived into Sant Lucia in Venezia about 11:00am this morning. It was awesome walking out of the terminal and out towards the canal boats. People and boats everywhere! It was so simple to organise our tickets to get a water bus to the stop we needed. We were surprised how long the ride was, but our hotel is absolutely right amongst it all, just a street off the Grand Canal! Woot!
After dumping the bags, we headed straight out and wandered to St Mark's Square...only a 10 minute slow walk. It wasn't quite lunch time, so we weaved through the labyrinth of streets towards the Rialto Bridge. We would've gotten lost, if it wasn't for the great signage around the place. Sticking to the main tourist spots has its advantages.
The bridge area was packed, but of course a self-portrait was high on the list of things to do. We also ended up eating a fab lunch just near the bridge. About right, not too expensive, but soooo delicious. We are pumped by the magnitude of choice! So many places, so many options - restaurant heaven everywhere we turn. No chance of starving here!
We felt a little lost on the return journey to St. Marks Square, looking at the map a few times before stumbling across Academia Bridge. We found some Limonchello sellers too. That stuff is so good and so cheap here in Italy. We are so over the pumped up, over inflated prices of imports in Australia. Work that crap out Julia!
We were still carrying our bottle of Chianti from the winning kick at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We had to finish it, because there seems to be strict rules about being caught bringing your own alcohol onto the ship. We decided it was best to drink it rather than be kicked off.
At about 7pm we were back out onto the streets of Venice! So much less busy than the afternoon. Most of the mobile stall holders on the Grand Canal and around St Mark's Square had packed up. It had been spitting a bit though, which may have been a factor.
There was a massive commotion in front of St Mark's basilica. People were cramming like mad to get a photo of a bishop we think. He had a pope like hat on, but we struggled to see what was going on. It was still a good time to be around the square. The music from the nearby restaurants was adding to the atmosphere and the birds were still providing endless entertainment. We have never seen pigeons this friendly, to a point where they land on you! Bizarre!
Dinner time! We went off cruising around the back streets and ended up at a busy little place that was quite nice. Venice prices have been the most expensive to date. It didn't bother us - just an observation. I think these Italians really want you to order an antipasto, a pasta, then a main and salad, as well as a dessert and drinks. Too much. We're already battling the weight gain as it is!
The streets were surprisingly quiet after dinner (well it is Sunday), so we headed back to our fabulous hotel and caught up on some Criminal Minds.
Tan: I love that show, but every person that looks a bit weird is a potential unsub! Back in San Sebastian we were up in the peak area around some old ruins and I was really freaked out at how quiet it was there. Bloody show is creeping me out! Are there really that many serial killers around? I hope not!
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