The morning
was busy – disorganised chaos. The
management in their wisdom had decided that all cruise cards had to be renewed,
and also all accounts had to be paid as the ship would be changing to $US
instead of Euros. At the same time some
passengers were having to change cabins and others were disembarking. There were queues in all directions for
everything. We managed to strike it
lucky with changing our cruise card except once again there was doubt whether
Julee and Lindsay would be forced to change cabin. Finally after a phone call they also had
their new card for their original room and sanity was once more in place. We could have breakfast and relax a little.
We were then
off on the shuttle boat and dropped off near San Marco Square. The tide was in and so water was lapping over
the edge of the port. They had assembled
a temporary walk way. They looked like
low tables with chip board tops that you could walk on in the wettest
parts. Others had what looked like a
cross between gum boots and shower cap on their feet that came up to their
knees. Fortunately the tide was soon on
its way out and the path ways started to dry.
Venice was still as foggy and misty as last week. We only had four hours until we would be
picked up for our return to the ship.
Everyone knows not to be late.
One couple were left behind in Izmir and because the ship hadn’t given
them back their pass ports they were deported by the Turkish Govt. back to
Australia. We decided to take our
passports just in case.
Den went
into a Baroque Musical Instrument Museum, Julee and Lindsay went to the Peggy
Guggenheim Gallery and I went for a wander.
Den and I met up and we wandered in the direction of the Rialto Bridge. It was still as crowded as we had remembered
it to be back in 2010, but it is a lovely outlook point down the Grand Canal.
We had a
bite to eat near our pick up point. It
was then time to say a last goodbye to beautiful (even when foggy and grey)
Venice. It is still one of my favourite
cities we have visited. I love its
uniqueness, the colour of the water, the quaint bridges, the romantic gondolas,
the architecture, the narrow interesting alley ways and no cars. It really is a very special place.
We arrived
back on board and chaos was still on full steam ahead. We had to form two queues - those passengers
just joining the ship and those returning, a short distance later the two
queues became one again. We were told to
show our pass ports. Thankfully we had
taken them because otherwise we would have been to the back of a very large
queue.
There have
been a few changes on board now. Water
is now on the table, free. Previously we
had to pay for water. The Americans and
Canadians didn’t have to pay as they were given vouchers. Just one of the many little things where
there is one rule for one nationality and another for others
Tomorrow is
a rest day. I plan on starting the day
with a few laps of deck 7.
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