After having a nice nap and a much needed shower we did what all Venetian's do at 7:00, we went for a stroll. It's not that large and is essentially a lot of really tiny islands interconnected by canals and footpaths and whole mess of bridges. What you notice in Venice immediately is the lack of cars, and bicycles, and skateboards. It is a walking city and the paths are only big for sometimes just two big people to squeeze past each other. There are boats, but even the boats can't get you everywhere. Venice is without a doubt, a walking city.
So we strolled following the simple instructions provided bey the hotel; take a right, first left over the bridge, then a left then a right over the bridge and then a left...... Or was it right......... Well it was definitely crossing another bridge somewhere. Along the way we passed a 101 Gelato shops, a couple of bards, a Hard Rock Cafe (they must be everywhere), and many restaurants with street side dining.
Eventually I said we must be close to Saint Marks square, but there were no indications or visual clues. So we hung a right past yet another Gelato shop, and suddenly we were in the square. It is far bigger than it looks in pictures, being as it was night, the infamous pigeons were not about. We crossed the square to the Grand Lagoon Tao see what we could. It was breath taking. I am so glad we experienced this particular part at night first.
We viewed across at all the sights beautifully illuminated before us. Struggled to get a place to get a picture as water side is dominated by Gondola rides, water taxis, and ferry boats,
So now we want to go back to the area our hotel is and find a restaurant for dinner near by. We walk down a little further and cross past the bridge is sighs, take what looks to be the next left, and then followed the crowds, or lighted path, or what ever we felt was appropriate to get us back where we started. Mind you we had a map and were actively using it. It took us about 30 minutes to get to Saint Marks . Now we have just waked over an hour, and the streets are getting narrower, and we hit more dead ends that require a bit of retracing by memory. I soon realized about 75 minutes in that we are lost. giving up in frustration, Joan clearly looking at me like I had lost my mind, stepped into a little 7/11 equivalent and asked the storekeeper, "Where on this map are we?" His reply was like out of the twig height zone. So sorry he said, you are not even on this map. He pointed to an area far to right off the map page. OMG!! WE ARE OFF THE MAP!
I asked, scuze, how do I get back to the Motor Launches? He points out the door and says.... Go that way pointing his finger directly at a solid wall across the street, then turn right ,cross the bridge, then turn left, then turn right, cross a bridge.........
I looked at Joan and could tel she was done with this adventure and said, like Hansel and Gretle, lets follow our trail back with breadcrumbs from our collective memories till we get back to St Marks square and I will spring for a water taxi.
And so we did. Spending 90 minutes to go round trip back to where we stated from that only took thirty minutes to get to in the first place. I quickly brokered for a water taxi ( I thought cabbies in Cabo had the fix on, they should visit their kinsmen in Venice). I must admit in hindsight, that while expensive, that was one of our most enjoyable bay cruises.
Back at the hotel we diced to eat in their little restaurant rather than chance anymore waking. What a delightfully surprise. The wine was excellent, the meal was delicious, the tomatoes in the Caprese salad were incredibly fresh.
We got back to the room and Joan was surprised again.
Ciao
No comments:
Post a Comment