Venice - Day 1

It was a total of 3 train transfers to get from Pisa to Venice San Lucia.We were at the train station by 1.15pm and we got to Venice by 7ish. If any of you have ever been to Penang island in Malaysia, the ride from the mainland to Venice San Lucia station itself feels like riding from Seberang Prai to Penang island. Venice is a pedestrian only city so for a change, it feels good not having to worry about cars or vespas going in and out.

Venice at night

colors, colors, colors!

on our way to San Marco, one of the views

we didnt try this, looks good though

view from Rialto bridge

Roma, Pisa, Pompei, Amalfi - we thought we learned by now how to deal with crowds. What hit us coming out from the train station was entirely different. I read about the island and was told by our Roma hostess that Venice is mainly filled with more tourists than locals - most cannot afford the high property rates here so a lot choose to move inland. Our first night dinner was probably the worst meal in Italy, a shameful representation of the good food they have. We didn't walk around too much the night we got here so we rested well enough to explore more on our first official day in Venice the next day.

the Square

Woke up fresh, asked around for a place where locals go to and it didn't disappoint - Pontinis, not too far from where we are staying too.  Had great coffee and bread, good start to the day and off we went, we chose to walk to San Marco from there, plenty of shops throughout the walk (of course, people everywhere too). Instead of the car fumes, we get a lot of second hand ciggie smokes - not cool. We didn't go into St Mark's Basilica but we went up the bell tower next to it instead for an overall city view from high up. The waterbus ride back to the station from San Marco was a nightmare. Everyone wanted to board at the same time, so picture New york rush hour but on a boat. Got to watch out too for fakes - murano glass, italian leather - even shops selling 'authentic' items with large signs, doesn't look too right to us. Let's hope our trip to Murano today will end up better.

every inch utilized.