Sunny Venice
Trip Start
Apr 17, 2009
1
8
21
Trip End
May 10, 2009
Where I stayed
Venice, Veneto, Italy
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Despite the rainy weather, I ventured out for one last look at the city of Venice and enter some of the places I had bypassed due to the length of the lines. Of course it was raining and the outlook was bleak - the city had brought out the raised platforms used in case of flooding. Oh well, a new experience awaited perhaps!
The line to enter St. Mark's Basilica was quite short, so I started there. The inside is really beautiful but alas no photos to share as it is forbidden - did I tell you I hate that rule! Even so, it is great and you should make sure you stop in while in Venice regardless of the length of the lines. Go early in the morning to avoid the rush and mass. They close the lower portion to visitors during mass. Next I headed up to the top of the tower to get a bird's eye view of the city. It's a little pricey (8 euros) but the view is well worth it. The wind was howling, but I still enjoyed seeing the city from the top. Venice is really an amazing place and shows how ingenious man can be when he puts his mind and efforts in the right place.
I walked around the square for a bit, then headed into the narrow streets once again to see what I would discover. I better go and visit the Palazzo Ducale since it's lunch time and the groups are most likely gone! Yes, I was right, no line at all!!! It's great not putting too much importance on food (those of you who have travelled with me know what I mean!). Palazzo Ducale - WOW. The decorations and paintings are absolutely awe inspiring. These guys were really living large (as defined even today) and in opulence. Mr. Trump, you're not even close to having enough gold in your NYC penthouse!! Again no photos allowed, so you'll have to come and see for yourself. I did manage to take a few anyway.
The sun? Yes, it is! My last day, hours ad the sun comes out. Hurry, I need some photos of Venice under better conditions. Piazza San Marco is truly a beautiful place and deserves it's World Heritage inscription. Man can do some great and beautiful things when he wants. I walked along the shore enjoying the sun. On my left in the distance was what looked like a fort. Could it be? To the left I went. No it was not a fort, but the entrance to the Arsenal (military installation). It looked cool and was a totally different type of architecture for Venice. A nice walk.
Tonight was going to be long one, so I decided to pull up a chair at a street side café, have a pizza and people watch for a bit. By the way, although I am in Venice, the pizza in Nice (La Pizza) is MUCH BETTER! Sorry you guys from Italy! I love to people watch, so many types, languages, faces. Well, time to head out. Back to the hotel to pick up my backpack, a couple boat rides to the train station and on the train to Ljubljana. Karma does have a way to get back at you. I was sitting in the station waiting for my train when these two men walked passed me I did not have the kindest thoughts about them. Sure enough, when I boarded the train, they were seated a few rows away from me. One of these men, was already well inebriated and kept drinking throughout the ride. He was extremely loud, even got into and altercation with another passenger (head-butting him), so needless to say, no sleep for Zach!
Oh well, I made it to Ljubljana after a 4.5hr ride. I now have 3 hours to wait for my next train to Bled. I dropped my pack in one of the lockers and now???????
