This entry is being posted a day late as there has been an issue with my internet access. Good news is that today it has been resolved.
Saturday 7th October 2017
Today has been a long and queue-filled day. We left our apartment at about 10-20am and started wandering to the station that would take Julian to the airport. Venice was crazy crowded. There were thousands of people in the street, locals and tourists, vying for attention and space on Venice’s narrow streets.
We got to the water bus station and waited for Julian’s bus, which eventually arrived but just drove right by. Apparently it was full, so he had to wait for the next one. With us needing to go and check in on the ship, we bid him farewell and sadly took our leave. It’s always the hardest part of our holiday, saying goodbye to Julian.
We meandered through to the main train station enjoying the crowds, stopping to take photos and admiring the Italian police brass band that pounded out amazing tunes to the pleasure of everyone who stopped to watch. Then it was onto the people mover that efficiently took us to the harbour. We walked through to the terminal where our ship was docked and then the fun began. We were 45 minutes in the queue to check in our luggage. Half way through there was an issue with the luggage section of the process. Nothing moved for a while, but eventually they came right and on we went.
Soon we were inside the building, went through passport control and were given boarding card number 15. We found seats and we waited. They were up to number 9, so we had some time to go. The couple next to us were 12. They said it went quite quickly to 9 but has now stalled. And stalled it had. There was an electricity problem and the scanning equipment wasn’t working. We waited and waited and waited, so grateful we were 15 and not 22 and very happy we were inside on a sea. We reminded ourselves that there were a lot, a lot of people who would take our seats any day of the week. Who wouldn’t want to be sitting at the Venice cruise terminal waiting to board a ship. We would get in at some stage.
And we did! We finally got to our cabin around 4-30pm, after arriving at the terminal at about 12-35pm. But after that, it became fabulous! Our bed is large and comfortable..
This was the view from our cabin before we left Venice…lots of water traffic…
We left Venice and exited along the canal that takes you right in front of Venice including St. Marks Square. Thousands of people crowded to watch the ship pass by. It was sunset and altogether majestic.
Canals from the ship…
St. Mark’s square….we cruised right by…
Our tug…
Good bye Venice…
I took a fantastic photo of sunset from my cell phone but for some reason it didn’t get transferred onto my laptop. I will do that and post it at another time.
# 439 of my 1000 thanks is for smooth boarding even though it took 4 hours! How good it is to be here. We feel blessed and humbled.
One of the things about today which I don’t want to overlook amidst the excitement of the day is that is 4 years today that Granny passed away! Special wonderful Granny. I am so grateful for the time I had with her and that she is rejoicing in eternity now.
2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
These are the days!
Keep the smile going.
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂