Early start, as our check out time on the boat was 9am. Amazingly smooth disembarkation - bags awaiting for us on the wharf, then straight on to a water taxi to take us back to Hotel Paganelli. It was wonderful to stand on the ferry and soak in the beauty of Venice once again. We knew we would be far too early to check in to the hotel, but knew they would welcome us back enthusiastically as we were 'repeat' customers. John and I bounded in the door with a big 'we're back' and a smile - only to be met by a somewhat 'cold' reception. The guy on the desk said, 'your device caused big problems and it cost us a lot of money to fix it'! Taken aback, I tried to work out what he was referring to and also decided that placating him was the best way to go for whatever we had done, to avoid a hefty credit card charge. I said I was sorry and didn't understand. His story - the WiFi router we used in our room, 'blew up' (somewhat of an exaggeration ) the internet wiring in ours and 2 other rooms. On him telling me this, I was wishing I had learnt a few more Italian phrases e.g bullsh...., but decided to remain calm. The fact that their internet here died on our first night here, I don't believe, had anything to do with my trusty JBHi Fi router - more likely the fact that their wiring system is probably as old as the building Circa 1600, and perhaps needed a revamp. Anyway, hard faced front desk man was not a happy chappy and ordered us not to use that device again - we did 'squeak' that we had used it in 5 other countries and hotels with no problem, but really, it was time to walk away :) As you would imagine, our room was the last one ready, pretty sure we will receive no pleasantries over the next 2 days.
Today was to be an afternoon of 'kulcha'! We bought a museum pass and had a lovely time wandering through 3 different museums/palaces/galleries. Poor John and I though, seemed to be always going in the opposite direction to everyone else no matter where we went. Every corner we turned we were confronted with a wall of faces, yes the dreaded tour groups, heading in our direction. No matter how hard we tried to follow the arrows, somehow we just kept ending up going the wrong way up a one way corridor. Finding the exits was nigh on impossible - we both did a small celebratory dance when we made it outside in one piece! No point asking for directions from the Museum guides, as they had all apparently visited the same surgeon - discount lobotomies:) and seemed unable to communicate in anything bar a grunt.
Tonight, dinner and an early night. Tomoz is a big day visiting some of the outer islands. Xxx