Venice

Hi all, sorry we have had no internet where we have been the last 5 days.

Venice to us was charming and enchanting – I felt like I was on a movie set at Movie World the whole time we were there!

The history and culture amazed us as we visited the Basilica, the Doges Palace and government buildings, grand canals and waterways. Venice was established in AD700.

We loved exploring a small part of the 150 islands interconnected by the tiny laneways and water ways that make up Venice – doing it both by foot and boat was a good way to get the best overview.

The palace tour was really informative as we learnt about the time the republic of Venice was a significant  regional power until Napoleon came along and spoilt the party. The political system developed with the mix of democracy and autocracy and all the checks and safeguards were fascinating; intertwined with learning of Casanova's escapades ..

The artwork and buildings were just stunning in their detail and sheer scale – almost too hard to comprehend how they were constructed and completed with the limited technology at hand way back in those times.

We have loved the simple hand prepared Italian meals of risotto, ravioli, pasta, lasagna, Tiramisu …. Consumed with the obligatory glass of Presecco!

The drama that is Italian life started at the first train station in Italy where two men were escorted from the train by the Police; then the hotel wanted to take our four passports away out of site for 20 minutes to “get the information they needed”. We just love their love of life and how it is lived out in the moment with no holds barred and with no care as to who is watching!

Venice was not as drama filled as Milan – they are slightly more Austrian/German in personality, except when our walking-tour guide was mocked by locals and told she wasn’t a true Venetian …. She gave it back to them in full force as our tour group of 20 or so watched on a little confused and amused as to see who would come out on top.

We arrived in Sicily, Debs home-soil late Friday night …. And somehow straight away we got the feeling the Italian theatre of drama was about to unfold (ie normal life for them)!! We will update about Sicily shortly.