Venezia - Venice that is!

We are in Venezia (Venice) and installed in our B&B Hotel Adua thankfully very close to the station having arrived by train from Firenze.

Relaxing in the 5m x 4m room is the Sammo looking superb as always and also posing in front of the Nazareth Church right close to the train station.

And another shot of the church this time from one of the many curved bridges over the Grand Canal.

And of course here is one of the tourists on the lookout for shops - the hat scored in Rome (as you do) was very helpful to prevent her getting too lost. Less than 1% of the tourists from all around wore hats. We stuck out like the proverbial.

Yes, its those greystoners again, sunning themselves on one of the bridges with a dome in the background. Much water and many domes and fine old buildings.

The ferry trip gave us many wonderful sights. This one of an island covered in old buildings, towers and churches.

"Take another one of us by the gondolas please?" Clifford and Delores were stating to feel like film stars.

"Two are better than one," they said.

And now for some more meaty comments to record for our time in Venezia.

Hi from Venezia! Our hotel (B&B) was 200m from the train station. Phew! With all that baggage. But wait there were two flights of steps to negotiate. More of that later in this bulletin. That's right there are gondolas in Venezia and lots of water! A wonderful experience for the two land-locked Greystoners as well as Evan and Sally.

There is land! Also a lovely quiet spot, reached by ferry of course where the weary travellers could sit and enjoy a classey cafe with beers and food. The 'Paradiso' well away from the madding crowds. To see crowds come to Venezia in the summer. They are everywhere, literally hordes. Walking, walking, walking! Shopping, shopping, shopping. Souvenir shops to die for and it is likely that many 'plastics' curled, melted and died. It is not cheap although it is not a rip off either. Some rose and bag sellers are always just in fron of the cops who monitor them closely since they do not have squatters rights. Amazing how they appear and vanish with equal speed. 'You like roses for your lady?' "A bag?" "Very cheap, very good genuine imitation!"

Here we have one of the travellers in the 'crown jewel position ready to pounce on a second beer. Been to Italy got the T shirt. Sammo the expert T shirt purchaser got this one in sight of the Colosseum in Rome together with a few others.

Well how about that! The camera (Italian for bedroom) has a time delay - isn't she clever.

Here's a native of Venezia who eats crumbs straight out of one's hand. (Note the perfect grammar Grandma?

The Paradiso was such a lovely Oasis from the heat, sun and crowds, but alas Georgio's beckons once more for more food and jugs of red wine (what other sort is there?).

Another shot from close to the Paradiso hardly another soul in sight.

Except this older person who certainly has the right idea for a Venezian sport. We watched as he trundled his gear and took his time setting up for a days relaxing by the sea. We were away from the canals at this spot and close to the open Adriatic - only a few score more islands to go.

We sat up the front of a ferry for some 4 hours on the way back going around twice up the Grand Canal in the sun and watched, photographed and snored (well one of us did). What a wonderful way to see Venezia. One can buy a 24 hour pass for the ferries and get a marvellous view of not only the canals but also the more open sea and the ocean going cruise ships. Boy! There were many and were they BIG!

Back to the crowds again and watching the gondoliers ply their skills. They are very fit and work very hard and there are many of them. Some of the passengers were even drinking Champers! And it wasn't even 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Quelle horreur! What other vices would they have in store in this hot, watery, crowded, expensive city?

Some of the churches and public buildings have to be seen to be believed. Many other photos were taken and reference to the Greystoners (Clifford and Delores) by way of the comments section will see the release of many more in slideshow format when the wanderers finally make it back to Kiwiland, Aotearoa.

What a classy shot of a little dinghy. Right outside a cafe that became a watering hole for the very thirsty travellers.



And to complete a night shot of the Hotel Adua. An excellent spot, very clean and friendly and right opposite Georgio's restaurant. Waiters well trained in looking after the ladies. seemed like a well practised sport.