Going, Going, Gon-dola

Afternoon, 

We've just come back to our hotel room to give our feet a rest. I've got a few things to write about today- we did a trip to Murano, had a trip on a gondola and managed to find our way to a bookshop called 'Acqua Alta Libra'. But first, we went for breakfast in the hotel restaurant. There was all sorts of lovely things, but we just had a croissant and some jam each. There was a pesky pigeon that wasn't getting the message that no-one wanted it there... It was jumping around all over the place, even up on to people's plates when they went inside to get more food! We avoided it, but as we walked away I turned around and saw it had wasted no-time in jumping on to Mum's plate. Have I mentioned before that I HATE PIGEONS?

After breakfast we went to Murano. It's an island famed for ornate glass making. Our hotel had told us yesterday that today they would take us over free on their private boat- an offer we couldn't resist as we wanted to go anyway and thought we'd be taking the water bus which we'd have to pay for. We weren't expecting the private boat to be one of the water taxis I mentioned in one of my posts- the ones that easily cost a hundred euros to get from the airport to our hotel. It was amazing, it was just us, the driver and one other couple- who were lovely. I felt quite special riding along on one of the speedy boats. 

Interior of the water taxi

Unfortunately what we'd only just read after we had booked our place on the hotel's private boat- was that the guide book had a warning about accepting private tours to Murano- great! It said, 'You could accept a free boat ride from the factory reps who invite tourists to visit a glass showroom or furnace. Remember, however, that you are expected to make a purchase.' Ahh...'expected to make a purchase'...  We were taken straight from the boat to a room with a furnace where we could watch the men roll and shape the glass- it was very impressive. This horse was made before my eyes in less than five minutes!

After watching the glass-blowing we were taken upstairs to a room full of beautiful pieces of handmade glass sculptures and ornaments. Understandably there were photo restrictions. I think this is where they expected us to 'make a purchase', but at thousands of euros that was not going to happen! Once we had wondered around and made it clear we were only looking, the guide told us there was a small gift shop downstairs- perfect, we thought we would manage to buy a few souvenirs. We were quite shocked to turn over a tiny 10cm x 20cm jug to find it was ninety euros! It was pretty but not ninety euros pretty. I did manage to find a lotus-style bowl which I settled on- it was considerably cheaper- don't worry! Mum also found a small plate for someone and an ornate wine stopper.

The bowl I bought from Murano - I love it!

Once we left the factory, we decided to walk along Murano for a bit until the taxi was due to be back. And of course, the first thing we saw- another glass shop- this one selling practically the same things we had just bought... but for more than half the price. We were certainly a little frustrated- especially as we thought we'd got away lightly considering they offered to ship home chandeliers worth about ten thousand euros.

We did however stop to consider the benefits of the trip. We managed to go on a private water taxi- which was quite fancy (and free!). We also got to see how the glass was made and we also thought about the fact the place needed to fund running the boat for free, so we decided it was okay to have spent a little more than we needed to. We sheepishly fell into the tourist trap with that one! Oh well- we're over it!

The water taxi on the way back dropped us off in a completely different place- but it gave us the opportunity to do some more exploring and taking photos. We found our way back to the Rialto bridge and decided we would have a slice of pizza for lunch. When I say 'slice' it was enormous, packed with vegetables- my favourite kind of pizza: Big and veggie. 

After lunch we came back to the hotel room for a quick sit down and to decide on what to do next. A gondola ride! 

Before that, I must quickly add that this next picture made us chuckle a little. If anyone has ever had a late delivery from TNT- this might be why! It never occurred to me how deliveries arrived- I'm keeping my eyes peeled for an Amazon boat- do they operate in Italy?!

A TNT delivery boat on the Grand Canal

After a half hour break we headed back out on the search for a place to hop on a gondola. We had a place in mind to get on, but when we got there we found them all tied up and gondolier-less, we figured they were on a lunch break. We continued walking and found ourselves on the Grand Canal, where the Rialto Bridge crosses. We came across one gondolier waiting for a set of passengers- so we got on. If you've heard the rumour that a ride on a gondoler is expensive- it is fairly, but absolutely worth it. You can't come to Venice and not do the thing most associated with it. It gives a fantastic opportunity for photographs and a chance to see some of the 'back routes' where there are no pavements and only water. It was much quieter and very relaxing. I think it's been one of my favourite things so far.

On the gondola

Next up was of course GELATO! It had been far too many hours since the last one. We walked straight off the gondoler and to the ice-cream place five metres in front. This time I tried a scoop of cream caramel and a scoop of forest fruits- which was very refreshing. You'll be glad to hear I haven't had vanilla! ;) 

The next place on the list of things we wanted to do was visit the Acqua Alta Libra Bookshop. We discovered it when we were first looking up places to visit when we came to Venice- it popped up as a quirky thing people said we should do. So we did. We navigated our way through many tiny lanes, at one point it did feel like a bit of a maze as we found ourselves faced with several 'dead ends' of canals, but we found it in the end. 

The entrance to the bookshop

It was certainly 'quirky'. We had seen some photos so sort of knew what to expect, but it was still wonderfully weird. It was very narrow and stacked completely full with all sorts of books. They were stacked in gondolas, in boats, in bath tubs, all of which were inside the shop! Some books were even stacked under several cats which were just chilling inside. They were reading Italian so I didn't strike up a conversation. 

Books stacked in a boat

Books stacked in a gondola

Books stacked in a bath tub

One of the bookshop cats

Out the back of the shop was a small courtyard area with hundreds of books piled up to form a staircase and viewing platform. It looked a little bit risky but I climbed up anyway- it gave an amazing view down one of the canals.

The book steps

We took a slow walk and wander back towards San Marco and our hotel. We didn't fancy coming in straight away as the sun was still shining, so we decided to have a drink along the water front. It was very relaxing as we watched endless boats and gondolas go past us down the canal. 


And now I'm trying to co-ordinate uploading photos and writing this. That's the only problem with a good camera- the photos are so big they take ages to upload on here. Can't complain though when it takes such lovely photos. 

For now, I'll leave you with what I've learnt from the world and the exciting news that it is only a month until Florida! My phone very kindly alerted me to that fact this morning. 

Today, the Big Wide World has taught me: To be careful and remember that as tourists, many merchants have clever ways of enticing you in and getting you to spend more money that you need to. I need to be more wary of common 'tourist traps'. But equally, to count the losses against the gains, because as we did today, we fell into the trap, but out of it we got to see the glass being made and a free trip on a water taxi which was very nice. So, sometimes, things can seem much better when you step back and look at the whole picture.

I'm getting hungry now... dinner soon?

Until next time, 

L 
xxx

P.S Here is the link to the live cams as someone requested on the last post. This is the one outside our hotel, but the website is easy to navigate around and there are a few more Venice ones: Skyline WebCam: Venice - St. Mark's Basin, Riva degli Schiavoni

There are loads of other places too- take a trip around the whole world from the comfort of your own sofa!

P.P.S Congratulations to two of my best friends who had their last GCSE today and said it went well! Happy for you guys- and can't wait to spend a week with you in Palma! To my other bestie- by Monday yours will all be over too- I'm looking forward to celebrating with all of us together. Xx