A couple of places are still to be ticked off. Campo Santa Margherita is in a residential rather than a tourist area. There's an open air fish market where the owner has to keep shooing away the sea gulls, fruit and veg, flower stalls and because it is Saturday some craft and 2nd hand goods stalls. It is a big area with seats under trees and at least a dozen cafes. Various other shops line the 'square' including a couple of real estate agents so we are really mixing with the locals. In one corner a number of ugly boards disply posters of local events and politicians. A great place to watch people, wish we had found it earlier, it isn't far from where we are staying.
Our vaporetto has a fireball deckhand. In her 20s, blonde, attractive and 4 foot nothing tall, but she moves the crowds on and off better than any sheep dog in a muster. The pilot also came out of his cabin ocassionally to bark a few polite orders in Italian, and between the 2 of them, I doubt whether we lost a minute off the timetable despite the volume of people coming and going.
Anne and Bob took the opportunity to go up the camponella (bell tower) at St Marks Basilica, where they witnessed a young man propsing to his girlfriend. How romantic! They also visited the Doges Palace.
A quick panini for lunch at a cafe near the apartment, collect our bags and onto the Alilaguna ferry for the cruise terminal, about 10 minutes away.
From the moment we embark, it is obvious this is different from last year's Alaska cruise on the Holland-America line, our introduction to cruising. This is cruising with a high level of attention we'd not experienced before. Not quite to the stage of "fawning" over us, but the individual personal attention, and the attention to detail, is staggering.
Our cabin is big - queen sized bed with a comfortable lounge area - table, 2 lounge chairs and a 3 person sofa. Opens onto a large verandah with deck chairs and table. The cabin has a walk-in wardrobe, and the bathroom has twin hand basins, a full sized bath and a separate shower.
The complimentary bottle of champagne in our cabin was a welcome surprise. Anne and Bob are in suite 503 right at the pointy end and we are 511 so we popped down to share their champagne. We'll open ours another night. They even requested a 2nd bottle after we left them to unpack. Not sure how much unpacking got done!
Departure through the lagoon in Venice was emotional. Even after the short stay, sailing down the Canale Della Giudecca past the front door of our apartment was memorable and brought a tear to the eye. Then on past San Marco and all the beautiful old buildings. Very memorable! So different from jumping on a train and heading for an airport to leave a town. I think we might be back ...
Our "home" vaparetto jetty
Our apartment, from the departing ship (the small door, right in the centre)
And so, we leave. The complimentary bellinis on deck to help us say farewell to Venice were well received.
Bellini in hand, St Marks Venice in the background
When we return to our cabins to prepare for dinner, none of the key cards work on the slots to open the doors. So, most of the passengers have to go to the administration office on board to have their room key cards renewed. While waiting in the queue, you get to meet some of the other people on board. Behind me, the next after one couple, is a couple from .... Hamilton South!
Dinner on board at night, gentlemen are required to wear, at least, a collared dress shirt and slacks. Jeans and open shoes are not welcome after 6pm. Ladies dress for dinner: elegant casual. Again, jeans, t-shirts and the like are not welcome.
On arrival in the dining room (one of four dining areas), we're greeted by staff lined in a row either side of the entrance. Val and Anne are offered the arm of a member of staff each, and we're escorted to the table. We specifically requested a table for more than four so we can be joined by other guests and meet new people. This time it was a delightful couple Mike and Louise from Texas.
The cruise is mostly a mix of Americans (greatest number), Australians, and then a few English and people from other European countries.
It is very, very obvious - there is some serious money on board!
After our 3 course fine dining experience accompanied by countless refills of a delightful New Zealand sauvignon blanc, we adjourned to our cabin with Anne and Bob to break the seal on our complimentary bottle of Baileys, made even more pleasant finding our refridgerator had been stocked with a bucket of ice.
Needless to say, slept well