Then we got lost...now looking at the map it is hard to believe that you could get lost...but we did. And what a fortuitous (sp??) turn of events this was. We found ourselves driving along the SR11 which was the side road to Venice and we suddenly became aware of the most magificent "old" buildings along a canal. We "rubber-necked" all the way to Venice and I didn't say to David once (unlike on the motorway) don't look out the window...in fact it was impossible not to be blown away by the stunning array of architecture. Of course, we had no idea that these buildings were a very important part of the Italian history, we only found this out later and of course I didn't get my camera out quick enough. Oh well, another place that we have to return to one day!
Then we sort of got lost again, but finally found the bridge to cross over into Venice itself. The excitement was building...firstly that we arrived alive (no mean feat!) and Venice awaited us on the other side. We are still pinching ourselves everyday. VENICE...the Venice that we have only read about before...we were almost there.
We dropped off the hire car...again I felt totally naive and innocent and a little bit lost...got a map (noone is very helpful here either, which is a shame!)...worked out a route to get to San Marco square...once there via a thrilling water taxi (yes, thrilling...every building along the canal is a masterpiece!)...rang the manager of the hotel for directions...not really helpful in these little narrow streets (many not marked on the map!)...stumbled along the very uneven surfaces of the roads, dragging the (my now broken) suitcase up and down lanes...which all look the same (David I think I've seen this shop before!!)...finally asked in a restaurant for further directions...left...right...left...sure, did I mention that these lanes look the same...up and over many bridges (with steps not ramps with the broken suitcase!) finally find the hotel...launch myself at the reception desk...soooooo glad to have arrived....sorry madame the 'otel has a broken pipe and there are no rooms available...we have moved you to another hotel, just two minutes away...our porter will take your bags...yes HE WILL...I have a broken suitcase. Off we go following the porter who was walking very very fast through the narrow lanes, we couldn't keep up and he kept disappearing around corners. Finally we got to our new destination (which was much more than two minutes away!) to be told that there were no rooms available and we were around the corner, just two minutes away...OH SURE!! Finally we were taken to our room in the third hotel (and the room was next door anyway!) It was a lovely room, with our own private balcony over looking the canal. Lovely...King and Queen Farouk were back!!
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His Lordship in his Venetian Chamber!! |
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Madame having brekky out on our balcony overlooking the canal. Very nice indeed!!! |
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Our home for the next 8 days! |