Marjorie and I are wondering how driving at home will ever be the same. Every drive on the autobahn was a new adventure, a new test in navigation, a new ... speed. When you consider that our average driving speed has been 140 km per hour, given that it is 50 in the small towns and the top speed for either of us on the autobahn was 170kph, it is hard to think that the measly 100 we're "allowed" to do on the perimeter will ever really be enough. It should be noted that even at 170, we were being passed by vehicles at speeds well over 200kph. But worry not, there is no speed limit on the autobahn and in a heavy car like our Lisl, going 150 felt like a float down the lazy river. Ahhhh, European engineering ... never has my appreciation been greater.
Once we made our way by bus from the aeroporto into the city, we took a vaporetto (water bus) from the main port to San Marco Square and made our way through the very narrow, and very smelly, alleyways of Venice, being directed on a small wild goose chase by the good natured and helpful Italians. The canals may look romantic and the photos will do them no justice, but the aroma leaves much to be desired by both heart and olfactory senses. The gondolas are very neat and the drivers in their striped shirts are seen everywhere.
Once we made our way by bus from the aeroporto into the city, we took a vaporetto (water bus) from the main port to San Marco Square and made our way through the very narrow, and very smelly, alleyways of Venice, being directed on a small wild goose chase by the good natured and helpful Italians. The canals may look romantic and the photos will do them no justice, but the aroma leaves much to be desired by both heart and olfactory senses. The gondolas are very neat and the drivers in their striped shirts are seen everywhere.
San Marco Square is under some renovation right now and there is a Taipei Arts Festival on here too so there were a variety of scaffolds and live installations in the square. The vendors of Murano glass and Italian leather abound and we managed to find some of both to carry home. The glass work is stunning, the colours remarkable. We saw some amazing blown glass art pieces costing as much as $5000. Tempting but ... No, grazie. Por occhi solo. (For eyes only.)
After a meal of margherita pizza, pasta, and bellinis ... followed by some delicious Italian gelato, of course ... we took another tour of the area, wandered along the Grand Canal and browsed a few more shops. We have another early morning tomorrow as we move on to Florence in the afternoon and want to make the most of our short time in Venice.
Buonanotte dalla sorellanza...
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