We head off at the civil hour of 815am to the port for our boat to Venice. We are greeted by a hundreds of other tourists and that is nothing compared to what awaits us in Venice.
The day is already hot and the heat radiates from the ancient stone pathways and the only escape is a shop or a little lane way. There is not enough room on the island for trees and lush shady parks for rest and recuperation .
We revisit St Marks square and somehow it's historical significance is lost amongst the now thousands of tourists whom form large groups craning to hear their tourist guide speak amongst the different international tongues.
The group visit the Murano glass factory and observe the master craftsman fashion glass products through glass blowing and discover how to pick a fake from an original. Mind blowing stuff- it should be stamped!
Then off to the gondolas for a romantic cruise along the canals with a serenade from a fabulous opera singer. The gondolas held 6 people so we missed out on the romantic stuff. Our gondola driver was the typical Italian loud, gold jewelry, and lots of hand gestures. One of passengers decided to stand and take a photo in the gondola ,she fell flat onto her large bottom rocking the boat and I thought my life was about to end in the canals on Venice. Luckily the skill of the driver kept us all upright and dry.
Greg and I then queued up to see St Marks Basilica, which only took about 15 mins, as we did it at lunch time while the thousands were eating their lunch-clever aren't we. Protocol and reverance requires you to wear church attire, ie covered shoulders and knees and no hats.
It was magnificent with it's stained glass windows, domed painted ceiling and woodwork. It was built by the profits from spice trading. I do ponder when I see such excess what God thinks.
We then went on an optional boat tour around the lagoon to another island called Burano, which was a welcome relief to escape the heat and tourists. It took about 40 mins. We passed many islands on the way some half submerged( Venice is sinking 1cm a year) and others used for particular reasons,vegetables and a cemetery ( there isn't enough room on venice to be buried).
Burano is famous for lace making and you can watch older ladies at there craft and of course purchase their wares. The narrow multiple story homes on the island are all painted bright colours,so the fisherman can see their house from a distance on there way home from work. Traditional in Burano is buscotto a butter biscuit dipped in a sweet wine for 4 secs. It's delicious and very sweet. Bellisimo!
We loved the uniqueness and quietness of this little island and wished we had had more time there.
We all returned back to our hotel Poppi exhausted, hot and sweaty and ready for a buffet tea and early night.
Bye for now Leanne xx
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Location:Venice
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