Today, we arrived in Venice.

I was up early because, despite all my chuntering yesterday, I had been given tour escorting duty (so that told me). Both Peter Roach and myself had been bemoaning the lack of duties being handed down to us, and low and behold Peter was also in the Neptune Lounge to pick up his First Aid Kit, numbered balloon and Tour Escort badge (see... everything comes to he who waits...).

The tour this morning was to the St. Mark's area of the City. Today, the Boudicca is berthed in a port some 20-minutes boat ride away from the historic centre of Venice; tomorrow morning, we move to a berth closer to the centre, but will only be staying until midday, when we set sail for Dubrovnik, in Croatia. Needless to say, getting on this particular tour was excellent for me; the river boat took us to withiin 4 bridges of St. Mark's Square, from where we walked (3 groups of 30) to the Doges Palace. We had a pretty extensive tour of the palace, the Bridge of Sighs (named by Lord Byron after the sighs of the depressed prisoners being transferred from the Palace to the Prison) and the prison, followed by a long queue to see inside the Basilica, the huge church situated at one end of the square. After that, there was about an hour's free time to look around and spend money, with the instruction that everybody be back on the bus-boat by 12:15 to return to the ship.

Now, this is the first time I've been to Venice, and I wasn't disappointed. Of course St. Mark's Square is crowded with the hustle and bustle of tourists from all over the World. As the tide was in, many parts of the square was underwater, including the entrance to the Basilica. Our guide told us all about how Venice is basically built on mud.... not very reassuring, but it's been around for a long time. Everywhere you looked there were kiosks; all selling exactly the same (tacky) touristy stuff, cafes had musicians playing classical music, and the amount of cameras on show would put Jessops to shame. For me, it was the gondolas, the architecture and the canals that took my imagination. Thoughts ofall the movies shot in Venice passed through my mind; Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie chasing that spooky red-cloaked midget through the back streets and canals of Venice, and James Bond sinking a huge building block in Casino Royale - all good stuff! I took photographs and shot video-footage galore, everywhere you turned; there was another classic Venice view.... wonderful stuff!!!!

After lunch, I headed back into the town within walking distance of the ship. Piazzale Roma, which was just as bustling, just as charming, and just as bursting with photo opportunities as St. Mark's Square. Venice is certainly an easy city to get lost in... despite having a map with me, every corner and every little canal bridge starts to look the same, and it's easy to become disorientated. Thankfully, my disorientation was short-lived, and I found my way safely back to the boat, in time to upload a photograph and update the blog before dinner.

I've enjoyed my visit to Venice and only regret that we don't have more time to explore it. Tomorrow morning, we move to a different berth, docking at around 6am, so if I can get up in time, I can grab another look at the centre of the city before we leave at 12 noon.

Approximately 60 passengers have left the ship today, to travel home via the Orient Express, only to be replaced by 60-odd more (I think that's the reason we had to be berthed where we are today, but I can't be certain).

Venice Rocks!

Wow Peter!
What a wonderfully evocative photograph! Do you feel a painting coming on? I was curious to know how you would paint Strombolli - but I am even more curious about Venice - all that lovely sparkling water! I expect you have seen the clock with all the figures that pop out, the murano glass, but best of all the architecture! Ah Venice! Wonderful sights ands sounds! I do hope that you will record your memories in paintings. . .

Kindest regards
Sylvia

Hi Sylvia

I've seen Venice painted so many times, but I think you have to have been there to really 'get' what it's all about. There is a unique atmosphere to the place that will stay with me long after we've left it behind, I think. I will certainly be musing over something Venetian in watercolour - how can I not?

Hi Peter,

well that is a truly nice photo. Well done! (no patonising intended at all!)
I don't suppose you'd mind if we painted it, would you - just for the challenge ...!
Blue skies, glistening water ....
you know how I like painting boats ...
I simply must go there ...

I guess it would be a nice place - if it wasn't for the tourists!


Best wishes

H le B

Kind regards ...

H le B