This morning we went to Murano Glass factory.  Mind you it is a very small factory with only 5 master glass blowers and yes it cost me.  Louise has to get her ears pierced again.  At least it will make it easy for the boys to buy presents for Lou. I resisted the option to purchase a chandelier; I don’t think our entrance is grand enough for a 10,000 Euro chandelier.

Interestingly the glass factory also makes gondolas, 60,000 Euros each.  They are painted black in remembrance of the people killed by the plague.  Venice has 400 bridges and a population of 55,000.  It has a daily visitation of 80,000 people. There are no cars in Venice.

Not another bloody tourist

Before we visited the Basilica we had lunch in St Mark’s Square.  There was a quartets  playing on either side of us, sun shining, big beer and lots of people to watch.

Looking relaxed

We visited the Basilica in St Mark’s Square.  Venice is famous for its mosaics.  This basilica is covered with mosaics on the floors and the ceilings.  The floors are very uneven because it is sinking under the weight of the marble in the building.  Many of the mosaic are painted with 24 carat gold. The effect is quiet amazing; however it is a Basilica which is a church for the Pope whom they saw as a king.

 

Another entrance mosaic

We also had a walking trip around the residential areas of Venice. You would certainly know what you next door neighbor was up to and what they wore.  Lines are strung between houses and we were constantly walking through washing.  Funny enough they mustn’t wear undies/panties because I never saw any on the lines Oh la la.

Pop over for coffee anytime

 

This guys, is how the Italians stop you peeing in the corner. It splashes over you shoes.

 

Leaning tower of Venice

In the afternoon we went to the island of Burano. This is a fishing village where each house is painted a very bright colour.  If you own a house on Burano you are not allowed to change the colour of your house without permission.  This village is also famous for its lace.

We had an amazing dinner of risotto with shrimp, spaghetti with clams (pippies), tempura shrimp and calamari, sea brim with salad and biscuits dunked in liqueur.  All this was topped off with great company and lots of wine.  On the way back one of the older ladies fell off the gang plank.  It was a bit interesting because we were concerned about the boat crushing her.  A few stitches and lots of bruising and she has survived, just.  A very traumatic end to a day.

Colourful houses

Casanova’s original house in Burano

Leaning tower of Burano

Ciao