a later start than planned but shortly after 9am we are in the car
today is a day trip to venice - an hour's drive east from padua
then across the long bridge connecting the mainland and island
not much choice with parking so 26 euro in a building seems ok
at the nearby ferry stop we agree on a hop-on hop-off day pass
20 euros each - also seems ok and we will get value for money
our first journey takes us by sea around venice to st marco square
we disembark into the milling throngs and shuffle our way along
oh yes - the memories of venice - crowds and heat - are proven true
but with that it's also nice to be back in this unique and special place
we look at the queues lining up for the tower and the basilica - pass
a desire to go further, deeper into the heart of the city is our instinct
and within minutes we are crossing bridges and in narrow walkways
shops, shops and more shops on every street and corner along the way
as many accents heard amongst the many families seem in the crowd
summer holidays are on and so the parents are treating the teenagers
this all in evidence as a break is taken over an iced coffee shakarato
but there's now a plan - we walk through the maze to the other side
board a ferry and set sail on a 40 minute trip to the island of burano
legend has it that the fishermen had a habit of returning home drunk
unable to find the correct house they were all then painted differently
this so the hopelessly drunk fisherman only had to remember a colour
the tradition applies today - at least in the way the houses are painted
it all makes for a quite striking scene when then entering the town
today it's more about tourism as the ferries disgorge passengers
and the restaurants and shops seek to relieve them of their euros
of which we are willing suppliers at a one empty-ish restaurant
mussels, grilled fish, fried fish, bread and beer - very tasty too
a wander around the town and then back on the boat to murano
glass - this large island famous for glass and thus glass retailers
one of the crew is too tired to shop - the ladies have the energy
there's a desire to get back to venice itself - so much to be seen
the next ferry delivers us back at st marco not long after 6pm
a noticeable drop in the crowd size - the tour groups are gone
we sit on the edge of the canal next to the famous bridge of sighs
the gondolas are out in force so it's a pleasure to watch them pass
also parked at this point is an elderly chap sitting in a wheelchair
most of the gondoliers respectfully greeting him as they glide past
we can only guess at the meaning of all this but it adds enjoyment
on our feet we then head to the famous square and join a queue
st mark's campanile is the bell tower rising up a full 99 metres
choice - climb or lift - lift thanks - soon after we are at the top
spectacular 360 degrees views of the island and city of venice
perspective obtained - then down and a walk back into it's heart
a quiet piazza is found and a pleasant outdoor dinner is enjoyed
as the day slips away we decide we better get back on the ferries
which first requires a reversing walk back through st marco's square
there's some live music - pretty average jazz and/or classical is heard
the crowd goes wild though - which says it all - that is the last act
we catch a ferry that cuts through the town and so some great scenes
it really is a unique and quite beautiful place so great to see it again
but - but - but - it is just so over-loved or at least over-exploited
the next trip definitely has to be off-season and for a length of time
sad though - it is sinking and the sea levels are rising - it it doomed?
we recover our car and drive through the night for an hour or so
back at padua we creep quietly upstairs to our accommodation
a rush for showers and bed and it's all over for another day...
