Goodbye Venice.......until next time

Our last day in Venice....it was a very sleepy morning.  No one was around.  There were no tour bus.  No loud noises.  Very few boats.  

It was peaceful.

We decided to stay on the opposite side of the Grand Canal and have a quiet, unplanned and sedentary day.

We found a small cafe/bakery in the heart of a little community.  People were going about their daily activities and socializing.  The kids were out.  Pets were being walked.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch a while later on the Grand Canal and thoroughly enjoyed it.

We left Venice around 6pm for our flight home.  Grateful for our incredible journey in Europe.  But also grateful for the people back at home waiting our return.

Alex was flying into Toronto airport.  Gail and Trudi were meeting us there.  When we all arrived we enjoyed a great overnight in Toronto and yummy breakfast before we parted ways.

It was a great trip.  

Happy 50th to me!!!!!

Venice Part 4

What to do next??  We walked the streets just beyond the Grand Canal.  It is far less crowded with tourists.  It is Venetians going about their daily business.

Gondoliers are so well balanced.  They can sing too.

The Rialto bridge.  A must see.

My money shot.  I love this picture.

St. Mark's Basilica.  Very crowded here, always.  At night this square comes to life with duelling orchestras.  It is fantastic...not to be missed.

What would Venice be without pigeons?  When you go to Venice you will see what I mean.

Venice Part 3

The festivities on the boardwalk along the Grand Canal.  These costumed Venetians were out front of St. Mark's Basilica.  For money...you could get your pictures taken with them.  Many have elaborate costumes to entice the tourists.

A restaurant RIGHT literally on the water.  When the waves or tide comes in.....you get wet if you are on the edge.

An incredible sail boat on the canal.  This photo does not do justice to how big it is.

Amazing buildings everywhere.

Who's yacht???  I will look it up and try to find out.  It was MASSIVE.

River boat cruises are very popular in Europe.  These two examples show how everyone gets a balcony on board.

Our new friend. Roberto.  He wants to come to Canada to do "ice fishing?"  He thinks it is quite amazing that we actually do it.

His english was so much better than our Italian could ever be.  

Venice Part 2, The Quiet back streets

Deb and I strolled the quiet residential back streets of Venice.  Where the actual Venetians live.  It was so peaceful and we LOVED it.  

Laundry day.

Fountains are plentiful.  The Venetians come with water bottles and pails to get fresh drinking water if need be.  We never really trust the water when we travel.  We do always drink bottled.

This elderly couple where ahead of us doing their early morning shopping.  Cute as buttons.

Morning cappuccinos...Europeans do not drink cappuccinos in the afternoon?  But they would never make a comment if you ordered one.....which of course we do and did.

Last stop....Venice Part 1

Arrival of the Crown Princess along the canal of Venice.  Half the ship woke up early and headed up top to get a view of our arrival into the sleepy city of Venice.

No tourists yet!!

The Bell tower which Deb and I climbed on a previous visit.....you can take an elevator to the top.  Incredible views.  You can see all the blue gondolas awaiting visitors.

Our ship kept to the left of this building....to the right is the famous Grand Canal which our ship would never fit.

Quiet streets off the Grand Canal in the early morning.  Deb and I tried to get lost and did.

The Welcoming Committee.

A student with her Mac computer taking in the atmosphere.

Interesting 'tiny' walkways.

Split, Croatia Part 3

On the back streets, a little quieter with a lot of great people shots.

Quiet, tiny, cafes and restaurants in every nook and cranny.

An underground shopping area.  We came upon it accidentally.  It was a wonderful relief from the incredible heat....over 100'F.

The flowers all through our cruise were in full bloom....

View from our table at the port....sipping 'coke lite.'

Here comes our ride to get back to the ship....right behind it.

Split, Croatia Part 2

This is the bell tower, that Deb and I climbed, in front of the Cathedral of Saint Domnius.  It was high.

This fellow looks oddly familiar??

Starting the climb.....a one way climb.

A 10 year old traveller encouraging Deb to do the climb even though it is a bit scary....but only at the beginning she says..... 

Ok...so we passed the beginning and here we are heading up?  Still pretty scary, but we are doing it.

The views of the city of Split from the peep holes along our ascent.

WE MADE IT!!!!

The view of the port and bay were worth it.

Another peep hole on our way down....which for me was scarier.