SUNDAY 17TH – VENICE AGAIN

Today was changeover day for those only doing either of the two 12 day cruises that make up the 24 day cruise that we are doing so we have 1600 new people on board (400 are continuing) who now have to go through the process we have gone through working out where everything is and, most importantly, working out which way is forward and which way is aft.

As you would expect, we spent the day exploring Venice, but this time further afield. We purchased a two day hop on hop off boat ticket and headed for Lido and Morano.

Lido is the “beach” for venetians but they are welcome to it. It doesn't even have the lovely clear water characteristic of most Mediterranean ports and the beach is more mud than sand but desperate people will do desperate things and the beach was packed.

This afternoon, we visited Morano, the island famous for its glass factories. A much quieter version of Venice. Trish purchased some nice jewellery and six little gifts for six very special people.

 

The highlight of the day was of course ringing home to join in the Sunday night dinner happening in our absence. It was wonderful to hear that all is well at home.

After we returned to the ship this afternoon, a two handed gondola race went by, accompanied by numerous boats including police and ambulance boats – obviously part of the festival taking place this weekend.

Tomorrow we are in Venice again before heading south tomorrow night. The itinerary has been changed again. While Istanbul was abandoned, we were still to be going to Kusadasi in Turkey to visit Ephesus but the hierarchy has now decided that, because it is in Turkey, we won't be going there either - very disappointing.  We are going to Sarande in Albania instead (wherever that may be).