Still lost in Venice

We were so lost in Venice, we couldn’t even find the Internet to call you for help!

Today we leave Venice for Zagreb in Croatia. Sorry we are not going to catch a train, can guarantee there will be stairs to get there, and we are going on a bus.  A bus you say, an ordinary bus..how pedestrian. Yes, we are going on a 6 hour bus trip, but I am sure we will see country not many tourists see, so it will be worth it for you ……..I’m almost sure.

Yesterday, just to bring you up to date, we went to visit St Marks Square. We left early to beat  the tourists because we figured it would be busy. You guessed it , we got lost. Now we were brave and asked locals for directions,  after trying to use our own navigation skills…..”yes senhora, you go down this street, then first left then over the bridge, then take a right, and then you will be there.” Have you ever seen a map of Venice, it is like a maze. We had to ask quite a few locals , and go down some rather dubious streets to get these photographs for you.

  As you can see, there are a lot of people. We did not even attempt to enter any of the buildings as the queues were extremely long,  and that was without the official tour groups.

Taking photos was also hazardous as there was always someone wanting to get that spot or to take a selfie. A very popular place. Here are the night photos I promised you. When would you prefer to go?

Me, I prefer the night because of the atmosphere but if you like the bustle of crowds ….

Just off the Doges Palace is a famous bridge called the Bridge of Sighs. Prisoners would be led over the bridge to their cells. It was called the Bridge of Sighs because it would be their last sight of Venice …..not strictly true but it makes a good story. Lovers  are suppose to get a special blessing if they pass under it , at midnight in moonlight in a gondola.

After such a traumatic morning we needed recovery time. So checked out the markets, bought an extra bag and sat down for an ice coffee or rather coffee and ice cream.

Sitting near the water, also gave us the opportunity to see how the city operates. Motor boats arrive to deliver goods to the shops or restaurants, an ambulance boat whizzes by with its siren going, there’s one lot of police, (there are 3 different police authorities ), here is the fire brigade in its boat and there is a private boat dodging the gondolas. It’s all go.

I think washing could be quite a chore in some parts of Venice. We managed to drop some items down but it was only three floors down  into a private courtyard , but this is not always the case.

Notice the buildings. On the outside ,to us they are badly in need of attention with plaster missing and no paint. Some are showing signs of walls bulging or sagging. Lots of sloping towers.Here they concentrate on the inside and make sure they are modern and comfortable .

The Venice of the movies. See you in Croatia.