Scribbles of a first-time tourist

The plan was an island tour around Venice. Pick-up point was the other side of the city but figured, hey, I can take a water bus. Board the no. 2 smiling expectantly at what I assumed would be a peaceful, relaxing sail. Gliding gracefully along the Grand Canal, the wind in my hair, the sound of the water as the sun draws you onto the deck to admire sights of Venetian architecture from a whole new perspective.

The reality was that a water bus is – quite literally – a bus on the water. Packed into a creaky, yellow ferry with a backpack in my face and a bunch of sweaty strangers pushing forwards to lean over the barriers to get pictures out the sides. That's what I assumed they were doing, anyway. They could just as easily been trying to get a breath of fresh air that didn't stink of other people.

We get to the water front and I start looking for the right dock. Then realise that the boat that just passed, with the tourists laden down with cameras, leaflets, children? That would be my boat.

The ticket's valid all day it turns out, though, but then I realise I have no idea where I am. I also realise I don't really care; it's warm, sunny, and the water front really is quite pretty looking again without my panic and frustration over my own lack of timing.

The water front is actually very pretty, you can see across the water to a kind of island with this big statue, tall and proud. Where am I? Only the place at least three people had recommended, only St Marks Square.

It is beautiful and wonderfully bustling. A hundred and one things to look at, people to watch, food to try.

Absolute highlight, almost better than the island tour when I finally got on the boat, was the San Marco Campanile. You get to the very top, right by the bells, 100 meters up and the panoramic view of Venice is breathtaking. All the red tiled roofs of the city, in every direction. The blue sea with all the boats and gondolas. That little island with the statue. All the people in the piazza below. The stone pillars by the harbour. The dome of the Saint Mark's Basilica.

I spent the better part of an hour up that bell tower, drifting around platform staring at everything. It was so gorgeous, yet a total accident I ever saw it. Never been more glad of my bad organisation skills!