Our Last Day in Venice

Thursday was our last day in Venice.  After spending the morning at S.Salute admiring all the fabulous costumes, we wandered through the back alleys between there and the Accademia Bridge.  While the photographers mostly ignored us at S. Salute (although Pedro did attract some), we were once again stopped by people quite a few times on our walk back.  On the bridge itself, a French photographer took photos of Pedro and then wanted several more shots of the three of us.  Guess we have sort of "arrived"!  I was constantly worried about tripping on the bottom of my cape and falling down some stairs or, worse still, into a canal!  Now, that would have been a real photo op - in the oh so negative sense!  The photographer promised to send us his photos (he hasn't as of yet) so, in the meantime, here are a few we shot.

After that, we went back to the costume market where I'd bought my cape and hat.  Pedro had seen a mask he liked and he ended up buying it.  It is very spectacular and, another time, I think I would like one as dramatic.  We also chatted with Christina, the French gal who had sold me my cape and hat.

Pedro's New Mask

We had intended to see the Parade of Carnevale revellers (in costume) that was to begin at 3 pm near the Accademia bridge and wend its way to P. San Marco.  However, we ran out of time by the time we'd had lunch so had to skip it.  We needed to start packing for our journey home on Friday.  Later, Barry told me there were probably between 400 and 500 costumed people in the parade and that it had been one of his favourite events of Carnival so far.  Guess that is now on my list to see the next time - if I come back here! 

We had bought tickets for a wine tasting in the Dossoduro area for 5:30 that evening.  So, the five us met up (not without John, Pedro and I getting a bit lost - easy to do in the alleyways of Venice) and were joined by an American gal who is living in Shanghai.  We had a good time tasting the four wines served with appetizers and decided to stay for a light dinner.

 

After that, we took a vaporetto from S. Toma to P. San Marco - another thing I love to do at least once at night-time when I am in Venice.  Unfortunately, in spite of how magical and spectacular the scenery was, my photos (probably due to my lack of photography skills!) do not really do it justice.  However, the following give some sort of an idea of how lovely it was.

 

 

We walked through S. San Marco to Faye and Barry's apartment where we enjoyed Vin Santo with some traditional Italian cookies, including some very yummy ones filled with a Limoncello cream. 

 

Then, just like that, our lovely week at Venice Carnevale was over.  We had had a fabulous time, made all the better with the guidance, tutelage and advice from Faye and Barry.  We had such a great time sharing Carnevale with them.

 

 

 Friday, we face the somewhat ugly prospect of getting ourselves back to London.