Day 34

Venice

Okay so this is not the view from the window but if I go down the hall down some steps across a landing, up some steps around the corner put some glass doors, up some ancient looking stone steps and across a viewing deck this is what I see…

right

straight ahead

left

We ventured into unknown territory today, driven by my desire to see the glass-workers on the island of Murano. We have a ticket office for the transit authority right at our door, very handy, so we bought a 12 hour pass which entitles us to ride whatever public transport we desire, as much as we want for the duration. Working out which stop, which line and what direction consumed me totally and unfortunately I didn’t factor in it was all on the water and that MGM does not have sea-legs. After several on/off/on the next line he baulked at waiting for the next boat on the floating dock and I realised he was feeling a bit queasy, poor boy. He bravely fronted up for the rest of the day on a boat of some sort just so I could see the glass blowing.

Unfortunately there wasn’t enough tourists about to make the glass-blowers too friendly. I found one factory, could see two guys working away, after a brief chat about staring at them from a distance I told them I was wiling to pay my fare but they said ‘no show for you only for two’. Poor MGM was not feeling well enough so they let me go away, with my money safely in my pocket rather than take one person through the demo alone – seems like an odd way to make a living but I suppose their wares bring in enough to allow them to be choosey.

here’s some pics along the way from Rialto to San Murano…

pulling into San Marco (below)

San Marco (below) going here tomorrow 

We stopped in at San Michele the cemetery island, the most beautiful cemetery I’ve ever seen. Every grave has brightly coloured flowers on it, every single one!

Murano (below)

      

Yep this sculpture is all glass!

I did get to see some lampworking, which is the kind of glass work I do so the day was a success for me but I think MGM was glad to be heading back to our room. We only went part way back on the boat, opting to walk across the main island (not very far) to give MGM a rest from the rocking and to see other scenery. He wasn’t too sick to fool around though…

After our rest we went in search of meat, enough of this pasta, fish, pizza thing MGM was on a mission for steak or ribs. In a state of extreme doubt i followed along, turns out he had a plan and we ended up at The Hard Rock Cafe – what fun! I’ve never been to one before and apart from feeling very very old it was highly successful (he had to have one win today). The drinks were fantastic I had a strawberry daiquiri in a long glass and then a raspberry lemonade that the waitress offered in alcoholic or non (guess which one I had), I had some food too. MGM was happy, he had a plate of meat.