Sadly we left the ship for the last time today. We disembarked mid morning and dumped our bags at our respective hotels. We purchsed a 2 day bus and vaporetto (water bus) pass that is good for 48 hours. Back to the island where we spent the rest of the day.
This place is amazing, like nothing we have ever seen before, well only in movies. Movies don't really do it justice. Sadly, we saw apartments whose steps are now under water. Water laps some front doors and some apartments ground floor is just used for storage. It has been said that water levels continue to rise.
As you would expect, crowds are massive and most public transport is chockers. Even so, we boarded a vaporetto and got off at San Marco. Had a ridiculously overpriced lunch in St Marks Square, but you have to do it, right? Took a tour of Doge's Palace which has been well maintained and in original condition. The Doge was the ruling duke of the time. The Doge and the council ruled for centuries without a constitution. It was also the place of law making, justice and the prison, which was connected to the palace by the Bridge of Sighs. Jumped back on a vaporetto and just toured Venice. It was also a chance to sit down after being on our feet all day.
We then found our way back to the Rialto Bridge and found a quaint little restaurant in the back streets that catered mainly to locals. It had a nice atmosphere, and while the waiters only spoke a little English we enjoyed it a lot. Dinner in Venice, who would have thought! Jumped back on a bus to our hotels and fell into bed exhausted.
