The missing Pod pictures

I described the first class pods on the plane out of JFK.  Since the WiFi seems to be working better today, here's a look at the fun...


peeking out from behind his headrest, Scott enjoys a pre-takeoff champagne

a glimpse of the outboard pod... you can see the control panel for the lie-flat seat, the lights, and the TV
as the seat folds down, the leg rest comes up to form the bed

Breakfast at 30,000 ft
a proper English breakfast for Scott
a poached egg on onion tart with spinach & Hollandaise for me!

double size tray tables, nice lighting, and a double window

Tuesday in Venice

Today, as predicted by the local weather guessers, was rainy -- VERY rainy.

We tried to go to the glass-making isle of Murano on the ferry, but too many people, too much rain and too few ferries added up to a no go.  We ventured over to Ferrovia stop (the railway station) as a sort of dry run for leaving town on Sunday.  From there we tried  to take the #3 vaporetto out to Murano, but gave up after an hour.  We never saw a #3... and then, trying to get home, every bus pulling in was full of people. 

Three #1 boats pulled in and out before we could squeeze aboard.  We were like a tub of wet sardines!  Luckily we only had five stops to go.

Today was the first day since we arrived that the fish market was up and running.  Imagine two buildings filled with stalls of freshly caught fish and shellfish...

 

nice shrimp!

check out the octopus!

huge scallops

 

We explored our neighborhood some -- finding some unique shops and checking out restaurants for dinner.  The grey skies made for some interesting shadows in the narrow pathways.

There's this one place down the block that has fish tanks and chairs... you can sit in the chair and have cleaner fish nibble away at your calloused feet, or in another chair you can get a fish manicure.  This is one shop that draws a crowd-- even on a rainy day.

lunch, and planning where to go

We grabbed a calzone at a local pizza stand -- they flattened it and warmed it in a panini press, which made it nice and crispy.  We took it back to the apartment became lunch and ate it while laughing at some of the rain gear.   One particular favorite -- knee high plastic boots that were little more than blue plastic bags. We later found some at a nearby store- four Euros for a pair!



Tonight we dined at Osteria al Garanghelo, right down the street from the apartment.  I had tagiatelli with shrimp, artichokes and lemon.
Scott had spaghetti alla ragu.

First Day IV

After the bridge, the walkway along the lagoon becomes the Riva degli Schiavoni.  We followed it all the way to the Museo Storica Naval (Naval History Museum), then headed inland to an area known as Arsenale (the Naval Arsenal)  It is still a working Naval Base, enclosed by stone walls.  The gate we approached is one of three entrances from the sea – this one used to have a gate (we could see the old hinges).  To the north we could see a low entrance for small boats, but the main sea entrance at the east end of the base was hidden.

 The entrance is framed by two towers – each with a clock. The port side clock was wrong, but the starboard side sundial was working.  It showed 11 am… a fact that was confirmed when the

neighboring church’s bells rang to mark the noon hour (time difference due to DST).

 

We headed back to the San Zaccaria vaporetto stop, thinking we were picking up the same line we had arrived on earlier.  Instead of going back along the Grand Canal, we headed seaward – first to the island of Saint George Maggiore, then to Guidecca. 

 

Santa Maria della Salute and the mouth (south end) of the Grand Canal from San Zaccaria

Sta Maria, from the lagoon

 

The route bounced back and forth between the outer islands and the main part of Venice, eventually circling the entire city to start back down the north end of the  Grand Canal at Pizzale Roma.   What had been a 20 minute trip getting to S. Marco, ended up an hour-long circle route, but we saw the entire south and west sides of the city. 

 

Church  near Zattere vaporetto stop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And we saw ships ranging from cruise ships to private mega-yachts, working ferries, floating constructing cranes, and all sizes of cargo carriers.

 

Two cruise ships

 

 

 

 

 

After getting back to our neighborhood, we grabbed w quick lunch.  While Scott rested his ankle, I found a market and stocked up for the week.  Dinner was pasta pomodoro, made at the apartment, with a local white wine that was a real “steal” at €1 .45!

 

Not a bad first day!

 

First Day III

We watched a wide variety of boats come and go – ferries, water taxis, small boats delivering every conceivable cargo, and row after row of gondolas.  With high tide and a bit of a breeze, the surf was splashing over the walkway and some of the tourists were getting quite a bouncy ride. 

(We’ve decided for our gondola ride, we’ll stick to the Grand Canal, where you get less chop.)

Just past the Doge’s Palace is a bridge from which you can see the famous Bridge of Sighs, which goes from the palace to the adjacent prison.  (Supposedly, the prisoners would sigh as they walked across, getting their last glimpse of freedom before entering prison.) 

the Bridge of Sighs

gondola traffic jam


There was a parade of gondolas coming down the canal… and we saw a fine example of how people are documenting their travels these days.  No one was looking at the scenery, they were all taking “selfies” with their phones using selfie sticks. 

 



Selfies

First day II

 When we landed at San Marcos, the crowds were large.  This stop is on the ocean side of the city  (although it is protected by the offshore islands.).  Alongside the lagoon we encountered many, many tour groups, particularly large numbers of orientals.  Instead of bucking the crowds, we walked along the lagoon. 

our walk begins... headed toward St. Mark's Square

the St Mark's Bell tower... 99 meters high... supposed to be quite a view

First full day in Venice

Our first full day in Venice was beautiful weather, so we hopped on the vaporetto at the Rialto Bridge stop and got off at the Saint Mark’s Square stop. Note:  What you are seeing on the left is not the real bridge -- it's a construction shroud painted to look like the bridge.  The bridge has shops on both sides... when you add hundreds of tourists trying to listen to their guides or take pictures or go shopping it equals total chaos.  It was better to hop aboard the vaporetto and get away from the crowded sidewalks.  The bus was packed, but you're at least all going the same way and it is easier than walking.

 

Grand Canal gondola

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Down the Grand Canal

Ferrovia Bridge

The Grand Canal is the largest waterway through central Venice.  It is crossed by only three bridges... this one goes from Santa Croce to the railway station (Ferrovia - "iron way"), the Rialto Bridge (near us) and the Accademia Bridge (from San Marcos to Dorsodura). 

Our waterbus stop is Rialto Mercado, six stops from Pla Roma. 

An agent from the apartment owner met us at the vaporetto and showed us to the apartment.  We are about three blocks off the Grand Canal – close enough to reach things easily, but far enough away to be in a real neighborhood instead of a touristy locale.

 The apartment is exactly as advertised… well stocked and comfortable.  After 20+ hours of travel, we were ready for a nap.  A couple of hours of sleep was rejuvenating. 

We explored the neighborhood a bit, picked up slices of pizza for dinner, and retired to our apartment.  We're on Calle dei Botieri - street of the cask maker.  Appropriate location for a couple of oenophiles!

We love the dining room window which looks straight down the street… we can watch the world go by!