Venezia, City on the Water

Our honeymoon's first stop is Venice (Venezia). Long time ago in grade school, I studied this refinedly written article about Venice in Chinese class. Till today I still remember the description about the chimes of the bell tower, the pigeons at San Marco square, and the mysterious waterways of the Grand Canal. It has formed the image of Venice in my mind. It's a city of romance... whimsical and feminine, just like water.

We stay right by the Grand Canal, two blocks away from San Marco square. When we arrive at the square, the first thing to do is to buy a Euro of corns to feed the hungry pigeons. For hundreds of years I bet these creatures are used to eating from human hand. As soon as I toss a couple corns in the air, I hear the wings flipping around me and above me. Instantly five or six of them spread over my shoulder and arms. The quicker ones already start to peck in my palm. It tickles so much, I start giggling... At night time, pigeons go to bed. Tourists are gone also. We again take a stroll to the square. In the dim light, Doge's Palace and San Marco Basilica rest in silence. What a difference between night and day!
Right and Above: San Marco Square

Taking a gondola ride is a must when visiting Venice. We prefer the ride on both the Grand Canal and the small canals inside the city. The Grand Canal gondolas have ports right by the water bus stop. You can hop on and share with other people too.

We decide to walk over a few bridges and pick a gondolier who operates both on the Grand Canal and small waterways. These gondolas usually park at the foot of a bridge. Sometimes the gondoliers are taking a smoking break over the bridge. We find one who proudly tells me that he had the then Chinese President in his gondola once...
Left: Over the Grand Canal towards Rialto Bridge

I have to admit when we go into the residential area, which is practically everywhere since people live right above shops and restaurants all around the canals, the smell is not so appealing. But the beautiful houses, each sits above the water and the endless water lanes turning, merging, there are no two sceneries that are the same. It is so intriguing I soon forget about the smell.



inside the city waterways