Ve-Nice!!

 We have arrived in Venice! So what if we don't have luggage, and  who cares that it took us two days of flying and staying at airports to get here. We finally made it. We boarded a water taxi and took a bumpy and fun ride to our hotel, Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseldo. The water taxi took us right up to the entrance so we stepped out of the taxi, and into the hotel lobby. 

Ray and Michael taking in the ride

Stephanie and Bruce enjoying the ride from inside

Here are some pictures and some  videos of our  water taxi ride. Ray and Michael stood in the back where they could stand and watch. I enjoyed watching Ray's face. He has been wanting to visit Italy for years, and the excitement on his face was evident.

We lost a day in Venice, so we were not able to tour inside St. Mark's Basilica, which was a bummer, but it did not prevent us from walking the streets and just experiencing the flavors of Venice.  We also went off the main touristy area to find a place for lunch. It was here I began to sample bruschetta for most of my meals. I loved all the different types, and each piece was delicious. The fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese on slices of yummy Italian bread was all I needed for lunch, and sometimes supper. 

I took this just because there was some guy looking out his window.

Rialto Bridge

Narrow canal on our way to our hotel

The Hard Rock Cafe was right across the canal from our hotel.

We did a little shopping, for clothes, like t-shirts, just in case our luggage was not delivered while we were gone. We did not want to wear the same shirts three days in a row.

St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Square

St. Mark's Square at night

St. Mark's Basilica at night

That evening we took a gondola ride through Venice, serenaded by a talented gondolier. Here are some pictures and a few videos. It was so peaceful as we floated along the canals hearing the water slapping the sidewalks and building walls. There were very few gondolas out and I felt like we had the whole canal to ourselves. Michael chose to not ride because we could only fit five in our gondola. Thank you, Michael. I am sorry you missed this, but you volunteered so quickly, I wonder if you preferred to enjoy Venice on solid ground. 

Floating down a narrow canal in the gondola

Rialto Bridge at Night 

This is Ca' Farsetti, where George Clooney got married.

Michael on the bridge taking our picture

After our gondola ride, we went to our rooms to get some much needed sleep. It was about 10:00 that evening, and we had had a full day. We checked the lobby to see if our luggage had been delivered, and returned to our rooms with toothbrushes and toothpaste supplied by the hotel for those who 'forgot' to pack toiletries. I was ready for a good night's sleep.

Oh, but I can't forget! Before we went to our rooms to finally get some sleep, we made a video to sing Happy Birthday for Leia, our granddaughter. She turned two and we were not there to join her celebration. Thanks to Ann, Michael, Stephanie and Bruce, we sounded like we could go professional, maybe.

To be continued...