Venice, Italy

Another wow day.

Today we were in Venice, and on approach, I wasn't sure that it was going to live up to my picture of it.  But it didn't fail!

We went on a quick walking tour of some of the islands.  That's what they call it, because each is technically seperated by a canal.  Very interesting.  Here are a few of the sights around Venice.  It was a very low key day.  After being at the Vatican just before this, I didn't feel inclined to stand in long lines for some of the churches.  The markets were wonderful though!  Fish, fruit, masks, everything.

View on the way in by boat

Doge's Palace

St. Mark's Square

Rialto Bridge

View from Rialto Bridge

Plague masks in the market

My first official Sfogliatelle!  This was a chocolate one, there was sooo much chocolate, thank goodness it was so small!

Bridge of Sighs

View from the gondola!

Our gondolier(?)  He was very friendly, we drank prosecco and he said it was better if he didn't sing.  But our coach driver, Firo, did sing... Baila la bamba, haha

Our next stop is Hoptgarten, Austria with a brief excursion for white water rafting!!

Some of you have asked about where all my trip is going so I give you this map, haha.   Currently we are at the area marked Tyrol.

ALSO!  My ankles are much better, no need to worry!  I picked up some sort of anti fluid retention thing... and it worked slowly, but I no longer have cankles.

I picked up some better allergy meds, the second hand smoke and pollution is just ridiculous   I have never seen so many smokers. Inside, outside, bars, cafes, vehicles!  I'm really lucky that no one on the bus smokes, gives my nose a reprieve from the bombardment outside.  Looking forward to clean mountain air!  Been missing the sun a bit, it's rained almost every day so far, with a few good days like Nice and today in Venice didn't start off nice, but it turned into a beautiful day.