We are not due in until 1.00, but bridge is at 9.00, so skipped the morning cuppa. Although it looked a little more overcast, it pretty well burned off by mid morning. Temperature still 27-30°. We must have made good time or the Commodore was calling in favours, as we sailed past St Marks well before 11.30 and were all tied up just after midday. Although there was plenty of time for lunch, we decided to have a quick room service on our balcony.
We have no plans for the afternoon and have left it to others to rush around in the heat of the day. Princess "offered" a water shuttle service from the port to St Marks at AUD25 per person, per day. Our plans when we do go ashore involve the port side of Venice and if need be we'll purchase a Vaporetto ticket for a fraction of the cost. The point is that the shuttle just goes to one place, anything else will still require passengers to buy other transport.
We had an early dinner (open sitting) and then went upstairs to Deck 12 where there was a performance by the Venetian Chamber Orchestra. Well, by the time we got there all the "plush" seats were filled and so were most of the upper deckchairs. We eventually got a seat, but not a great view of the performance - which was great. No, I mean the performance was great, not that we didn't have a decent view!
Day 43 - 13 July - Venice
Today is a *big* day, although after the massive thunderstorm overnight I had some doubts. Dawned a beautiful day and up just after 6.00, as I had ordered room service for 7.00. Out of the shower just after 6.30, and suddenly we had neighbours - Rhapsody of the Seas was pulling in adjacent, so pulled the net curtains hastely. Just as we were leaving the ship, a MSC ship docked behind us. Interestingly, both ships were gone well before 4.00, so a short stay for their passengers.
We had an early breakfast and were off the ship before 8.00. Hiked over to the People Mover, where for €1.50 each we got to Plazzale Roma, the end of vehicle access from the mainland, not far from the St Lucia train station. From here a quick walk over the Grand Canal to the area we are very familiar with, having stayed there during our 2013 Med. cruise.
Nothing was open as it was still well before 9.00, so we headed through all the back streets and alleys, almost to St Marks! I won't go into the few blind alleys we ended up in, but between Google Maps and some excellent signs on the buildings re reached our destination - Teatro La Fenice (Operatic theatre which has been burned down twice, most recently in 1996). Just €7 for seniors to do a tour and the theatre was very impressive.
On our "extended" trek we met Margit & Jim not once, but twice- so had a coffee together before going our seperate ways. Given the 10s of thousands in Venice, and the back streets we were on, it was a minor miracle. So Friday is rubbish day in Venice - not only were the rubbish boats busy in the canals but the collectors and their carts were busy throughout the narrow alleys. Probably shouldn't comment, but the male collectors were almost outnumbered by females.
After our theatre visit we headed back towards St Lucia, with no major issues but frustrated that there are no pathways all the way alongside the Canal, so on numerous occasions we found ourselves at the waters edge and no where to go. I can most definitely say that we have seen "a lot" of Venice. Vivian just had to go shopping at our favourite Murano Glass shop, to replace a necklace we apparently "donated " to China Southern airways last year.
Back over the Grand Canal and on our final leg back home. Called into one of those expensive canalside restuarants and had a pizza & a beer. The all up cost was €45, made up of pizza €14, sitting down fee €4, gratuity €5 & beers €22. So how could we spend that amount on beer? - just a little misunderstanding saw me with a 1 litre handle. OK, it was hot etc. but really a bit over the top. Having said that I was not surprised at the prices, given the location etc. A great pizza by the way. Back on-board before 3.00.
Day 44 - 14 July - Ancona
Yet another glorious day on the Adriatic. After yesterday's marathon, we have quiet day planned, keeping to the town. We got off the ship just after 9.00 and walked about 1 km, mainly through the port area to one (of many of course) of the earlier churches - Santa Maria delle Piazza. Interestingly, the current 11th century church is built over the remains of a 6th century one- which we viewed downstairs.
As we were entering the downstairs area, a couple said "it's Murray & Vivian isn't it?" A couple from Australia were on for most of the World Cruise 2015. More amazing is that our paths had not crossed until now. Of course we then came across them 2 other times while wandering the town. The first was outside a coffee shop, where we then stopped & chatted - coffee was only €1.30 here. We headed up to the usual Saturday market, which looked like it was closing at midday. This was our cue to keep walking back to the ship. Lunch was a filled roll from the HC cafe followed by a relaxing afternoon.
Ancona is obviously a *very* busy ferry port across the Adriatic and particulrly to Greece, with at least 4 large ferries coming and going. Not only many hundreds of cars, boats & campervans with families heading away for the holiday period, but more the number of trucks heading to/from all over Europe (particularly Austria & Germany). Certainly these large ferries (almost our size) provide a cheaper and more direct operation for goods than by land. I imagine that a trip to Greece would be at least 1, if not 2 nights at sea. We also noticed a Fincantieri ship building yard here, currently building a new smaller Viking ship. Oh yes, it is the same company which built our ship 20 years ago - but not here!
Day 45 - 15 July - at sea
No bridge today & no breakfast, as there is brunch later, so we slept in. Made do with a couple of rolls and a cuppa before brunch around midday. To top off the day, it is formal night once again. Still good to recharge the batteries before another big day ashore tomorrow.
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