Wednesday,  20 December 2012

Claire and  I decided to start the day at sunrise in Piazza San Marco to take advantage of the clear skies and a slightly less hectic scene in the city.  We made our way through the city, stopped and had a cappuccino, and the timing was perfect as the sun just began to peak above the horizon.  Allie and Laura were ready to go at the apartment at 9:30 so we headed back, met up with them and our tour guide for the morning, and headed back out.  The primary topic of the tour was the Doge’s Palace and the Cathedral of St Mark.  After a late lunch we took a gondola ride along some of the small canals.  Our gondolier was a man with lots of personality who made the tour quite enjoyable.  I am amazed at their skill at rowing these long slender boats along the narrow canals and not touch anything on either side even though at times the clearance is only a few inches.

Sunrise along the Grand Canal.

The evening frost is just beginning to melt on the cafe tables in Piazza San Marco.

The shadow cast by the bronze statue of the lion of St Mark cast along the colonnade in the piazza.

Not a lot of business for an early morning gondola ride.

Funky green hat and all Claire is out and hard at work.

Waiting for the first costumers at her shop.

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The delivery guy is not going to loose this dolly because he can’t find it.

A restaurant window box.

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The tourists have yet to invade the quiet of Piazza San Marco.

Taxi stand Venetian style.

The Doge knew how to live the good life in Venice.

Fancy stairwell ceiling.

Fancier stairwell ceiling.

Famiglia Puzio in the courtyard.

Slip sliding along the canals in our gondola.  Even Bruno the stuffed dog made the trip!

A view up the Grand Canal.

Canal side scenery.

Nice pic Claire!!

And another.

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Our captain!