Venice

I can’t remember how long it is since last I visited Venice: but it’s been too long!

Trusty chauffeur and his assistant at the door at 6.30 am and I was on my way. Heathrow was easy, though I realise I forgot to remove my watch at security which was probably wy alarms were raised!

I had been intrigued, when checking-in online to find that I had an exit row seat: the extra legroom was a bonus but I wasn’t sure about the emergency exit control!! However, the company was good and, apart from the views over the alps where there seemed not to be much snow, we were above the clouds all the way.

… and the company was fascinating – a retired lecturer on her way to a language course in Venice while her husband enjoyed the more exotic Costa Rica and a fine gems dealer from the USA who immediately spotted my earrings which I thought were discreet!

Marco Polo airport is really easy to manage and it was no time at all before we were through the passport controls and off to find a water taxi: the American and I had agreed to share one rather than go on the public transport and, although it was more than I had intended to spend (and more than indicated in the guide books!), it was money well spent for a fun ride and an impressive arrival.

It was quite a choppy ride but really made the point about water transport being ‘the way to go’ here. And the sights along the way weren’t bad either (You need to open the images individually to see them properly):

Initially we had been told it would not be possible to go to the Hotel Saturnia’s landing place on the small canal but our driver decided it was do-able and set off down the canals at a gentle pace. But, first, there was the Grand Canal: what a sight! Almost immediately we passed under the Rialto Bridge.

Already I was amazed at the number of gondola moorings and at how busy the canals were with both pleasure and ‘business’ craft. One of the best examples of the latter was this

Patrolling the streets are lots of rubbish carts with two workers ensuring that the city is pristine, those carts are then taken to meeting points on the canal where they are hoisted over a barge and their contents emptied into it. An endless task, done with humour as far as I could tell – and some pride today from one of the workers when he realised I understood the process.

I used these first few hours to wander, get my bearings and begin to take in some of the fascination of this city where something different can be found around every corner.

When the others arrive I’m sure we’ll do the same again – and it’ll be different!