July 8th

Sightseeing and shopping

In the morning we explored other parts of the main island, mostly the Dorsoduro and Santo Croce areas. So many churches and piazzas. Then we planned to catch a water bus back down the grand canal to San Marco square. However the signage being what it is, and Italians being as unhelpful as many are, we went in the other direction around the port and marina. Oh well, if that's the worse thing that happens to us then it's not too bad. We did see an enormous cruise ship coming in, it think it was like the one my Mum went on.

We split up in the afternoon, Stan did more exploring, the girls went shopping. I think we finished off all the necessary souvenir shopping, I got the hand bag I'd been wanting since San Gimignano, we even bought some authentic Murano glass jewellery, which as I over heard some Aussie blokes saying, the only bit made in Italy was probably the sticker saying "made in Italy". Still, it had to be done.

I did get around to having coffee in Piazza del San Marco, although it was a take away ( it was very nice), not, the €10 sitting down at fancy 300 year old cafe with orchestra. This was by choice and I could still enjoy the band playing "Girl from Ipanema" and the late afternoon ambience. Cassie also got her photo with some pigeons, although the San Marco square guardians chastised me for feeding the pesty birds.... They do have a good point, but it was fun to see Cassie freaking out when surrounded by the flapping birds.