Venice
So. Yesterday I cycled in the morning with Le Famille (including Marco who is 93) , returned for coffee to allow Marco to rest in the cafe and do some writing (memoirs), and then cycled again to the beach to lie in the sun - just a bit of colour, just for 30 minutes, before I needed to pack my bag and get on the road.
Josette very kindly drove me to Bordeaux airport to catch my flight - I don't say this lightly because the drive is just over two hours at between 110 and 130 ks. Easyjet is the lesser loved of the airlines, so the departure lounge is actually a shed out the back of the airport with big fans whirling to keep the temperature down.
I need to get to Slovenia so I'm flying to Venice. And the simple reason is economics - and I can't resist making the journey the journey, and not just the destination! The flight to Venice is 40 euro. It means I arrive in Venice at 9 at night (dark with a full yellow moon) and need to find my hotel. If you have ever been to Venice (and this is my fourth time - I know Vicki, sucks to be me) you will know that this isn't just the city of love, it is the city of getting lost. Options from the airport are either a bus or a canal taxi. Leaving in 30 minutes - orange line, second stop.
Canal taxi it is - and the taxi driver kindly lets me know when the second stop arrives. Very dark and quiet. The thing about Venice is that the buildings absorb the noise. I had been told to find the Calle (lane?) 'where is the red arch'. I walked over the bridge, through the campo and behold, the red arch. I burst into the reception very pleased with myself (honestly, this was no mean feat) and with a flourish announced that i didn't get lost!!).. and the guy just looked at me.
Another thing about Venice: the streets are cobbled, the bridges are steps, not a smooth arch, the hotels do not have lifts. Pack a light bag with good wheels - ones that won't give up the ghost mid wherever.
Not to be deflated by the reception guys lack of celebration, I dragged my bag up the three flights, dumped my stuff and went in search of a meal and a spritzer - found both and they were delicious. And so enchanted by Venice, I couldn't go straight back to the hotel and so wandered around taking it all in. Oh and I forgot to mention that my room may as well have been a nun's cell - check out the bed!
Josette very kindly drove me to Bordeaux airport to catch my flight - I don't say this lightly because the drive is just over two hours at between 110 and 130 ks. Easyjet is the lesser loved of the airlines, so the departure lounge is actually a shed out the back of the airport with big fans whirling to keep the temperature down.
I need to get to Slovenia so I'm flying to Venice. And the simple reason is economics - and I can't resist making the journey the journey, and not just the destination! The flight to Venice is 40 euro. It means I arrive in Venice at 9 at night (dark with a full yellow moon) and need to find my hotel. If you have ever been to Venice (and this is my fourth time - I know Vicki, sucks to be me) you will know that this isn't just the city of love, it is the city of getting lost. Options from the airport are either a bus or a canal taxi. Leaving in 30 minutes - orange line, second stop.
Not to be deflated by the reception guys lack of celebration, I dragged my bag up the three flights, dumped my stuff and went in search of a meal and a spritzer - found both and they were delicious. And so enchanted by Venice, I couldn't go straight back to the hotel and so wandered around taking it all in. Oh and I forgot to mention that my room may as well have been a nun's cell - check out the bed!
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