It's not often you get a second bite of the cherry on a cruise. Ports come and go, and those that make a particular impression are often mentally filed under 'Places I'd Like To Go Back To Someday'. Stays can sometimes be frustratingly short, and interesting places deserve more exploration time.

So, it was with great anticipation that I bounded out of bed to the alarm clock at 7am, anxious to catch the first rays of sunlight as they swept across the St. Mark's Basinl and bathed the tops of the old buildings of Venice. As promised, we awoke to find ourselves in a different berth - and what a berth! St. Mark's Square could be seen from the deck of the ship, only a 10-15 minute walk away.

After a quick breakfast, I headed ashore, keen to make the most of the short time we'd have today (shore leave ends at 11:15am, to sail away at 12 noon). By this time it was 8:30am, and Venice was quiet and glorious in the morning sunlight. I couldn't take photographs, or shoot video, quick enough.

St. Mark's Square was blissfully quiet and ampty of people, so I had a look at my map and decided to go exploring....

The first highlight of the morning (second if you count the impressive sunrise)  was Rialto Bridge, one of only 3 bridges that cross the Grande Canal, and the one that appears on all the touristy literature pertaining to Venice. By now things were startiong to get busier, and people (mostly japanese) were huddled together in groups, having their photographs taken on the Rialto.

Now, it didn't sink in at first, but there was a huge banner draped over the side of the bridge, advertising an exhibition at the Gallerie dell Academia di Venice. It was quite simply entitled 'Leonardo'. It occured to me that I had seen this same advertisement several times yesterday, and yet the implilcation of what I was seeing advertised simply hadn't registered. For here was a poster advertising the fact that for a limited time only, the Gallerie had within it's walls Leonardo De Vinci's 'Vetruvian Man'.

Having decided that this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view one of Art's iconic, historic pieces of work, my next job was to find the gallery. Nowhere on my map could i see where the gallery was, but occasionally, i spied a small sign pointing towards 'All Academie'. I followed the signs until they ran out and I was lost, maybe three times, each time realising that I had absolutely no idea where I was in relation to St. Mark's Square or the ship. Time was getting on, and I feared that my search might be in vain.

Imagine my excitement then, when I found it; Gallerie dell Accademia di Venezia, right by Aaccademia Bridge. Worried then that I wouldn't have enough money on me to get in, for surely there would be an entrance fee, and I only had 10 euros on me, I was pleased to discover that the charge to get in would be 8:50euros - I had enough - Woo Hooooooo!!!!!

So, here was the next highlight of my morning. I gazed upon paintings by Canaletto, Gentile Bellini, Vittore Barpaccio, Andrea Da Murano, Vecchio, amongst others, but my focus was in finding the room signposted simply as 'Leonardo'. And then there I was; standing, gazing at the original drawing, by Loenardo De Vinci, entitled 'the Vetruvian Man'. If you think you don't know it, then I assure you , you do; google it... it's the geezer with no clacks on, stood inside a circle with his hands and arms outstretched.



Check it out here: http://octagonmystic.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/vitruvian-man.jpg. It is one of the most iconic pieces of art in existence. I use it as irrefutable evidence (along with medical illustrations) that figures should be drawn 7-heads high and not the 8-heads that are so common these days. That 8:50 euros was worth every penny! I still can't believe I've seen the original of The Vetruvian Man, but there you go.... quite a highlight.

Unfortunately, time ran out on me, and I had to make a dash for the ship. It had taken me best part of an hour to find the gallery, yet I only had 45 minutes to get back to the ship before the end of shore-leave. By now, St. Mark's Square had magically filled with visitors, so making my way through the heaving throngs wasn't easy. The tide had come in again, which made navigating even more difficult, since tourists were squeezed into narrow raised walkways to avoid the rising waters (I swear there was more water than yesterday; Venice is definitely sinking!).

Needless to say, I made it with about 15 miinutes to spare. In a short while, we'll be leaving for Dubrovnik, in Croatia; they're preparing for a big sail-away deck party as I type.

One lady, who was leaving the ship this morning boasted how she'd spent 14 euros on a cup of coffee yesterday in St. Mark's Square. I was quick to say "What??? How much???", but then as she pointed out; this was her perk; something she'd promised herself, who was I to question her expenditure? I'd just spent 8:50 euros just to look at a grotty old piece of A4-sized paper that Leonadro de Vinci had once doodled a figure on (probably while he was waiting in a queue on the telephone).

Venice.... aaaah Venice.....

Hiya Peter,
Glad all's going well ... keep the journal going ... it makes a good read for we landlocked individuals! - despite the maritime ancestry! (did I tell you I was related to Captian James Cook RN ?)

According to the National Geographic ... Venice Is sinking, but not as fast as you might think. So that made me wonder.... Mmmmm! Ask yourself - "where does all the water go when it's flushed down the Venetian lavs?"
(sorry) I say no more!

Anyhowm I'm genuinely glad you saw some of "Leo's" original sketches ... not that I'm envious of you, you understand, not at all, not in the least.... (*&T*^*&%&&&^ !!!!) (ha ha)

Hope the weather stays good for you too. We'd love to see some pics ...

Oh and on a minor note ... Leonardo (the Great) Da Vinci, wouldn't have been standing in a queue for a telephone - he had, after all amongst other things invented the helicopter, aeroplanes, submarines, helical screw water lifters, quite a range of weapons and, of course, the mobile phone! What a guy - and I hear he fiddled with pens and paint too!

Looking forward to the next exciting installemtn .... sounds like I'm waiting for the next episode of Tin Tin (now YOU'RE not THAT old --- are you?)

Best wishes ....

H Le B

(who BARELY remembers "Herge's Adventures of Tin Tin" !)

Of Course I remember Tin Tin (clearly)!!!!

I didn't know Leonardo invented the mobile phone though.... (actually, didn't think phones were around then....