Route for today was rather random. We didn’t plan a route such that we could go to tourist attractions. We just wanted to wander around Venice and enjoy the sights and sounds.
Agak-agak the route for the day (enlarge for better view)
We started the day rather late (at about 11am) so right after we checked out of the hotel (train ride to Florence at 5.57pm), we went to look for lunch. We went to the place where I bought my gelato the day before to get some cheap food. I had a Pizza Margherita and a pizza with fries on it. My friend (Aik Hong) picked the kebab piadina which cost 5 euros based on the recommendation of yours truly (I had it the night I arrived in Venice from Milan). I forgot what the rest of the guys bought.
Pizza with fries
Aik Hong’s Kebab
After buying our lunch, we then started wandering around Venice. As we strolled around, we passed by a shop selling masks which had some interesting masks on display. The masks were not typical Venetian masks. We didn’t enter the shop but I took a picture of one of the masks I liked.
Joker
We also passed by a random garden but I have no idea where on the map it’s located. We kinda liked it so we took a few pictures too.
A little dark
Continuing our walk, we crossed over some unknown bridges and little pathways that were interesting. Here’re some random pictures and an interesting little thing we saw on one door.
Random bridge (messy hair due to wind)
Xiao Xiao kissing the interesting thing
We then reached a church called San Stae where there was a water bus station. We tried checking the fares for a water bus ride to somewhere close to Piazza San Marco but couldn’t find a place to buy tickets.
Nevertheless, the exterior of the church and the view in front of it were beautiful so we took some time enjoying the sights.
Front of San Stae
Kent Loong in front of San Stae
Me with the water bus station
After a while we decided to leave the place and just behind the church we found a really narrow alley in which we started to do acrobatic stunts and taking photos.
Champion
Then we proceeded to wander around some more and snapped some pictures along the way.
Some jetty
View from random bridge
Cookies in random shop
Interesting graffiti
Without realizing it, after a while, we ended up again at the Frari. This time my camera was not out of battery so I took some photos.
front of the Frari (Victory)
Somewhere near the Frari we came across a university called the Universita Ca’Foscari Venezia.
Universita Ca’Foscari Venezia
The mindless wandering finally brought us to the side of the Canale della Giudecca, which on the other side was an island also belonging to Venice.
Canale della Giudecca (opposite is Giudecca)
View along the canal
Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore (Giudecca)
As the wind was strong and we felt really cold, we decided to seek shelter in one of the water bus stations along the canal.
Hair messy and keeping my hands warm in pockets
Once our bodies felt warm enough, we proceeded to walk along the Canal. We passed by a gallery which was displaying some really abstract art. The drawings took turns being displayed and the mechanism for changing the drawings was rather interesting. However, no photo taking was allowed so I didn’t snap any photos.
Done viewing done drawings in the gallery, we continued on our way along the canal and I proposed to the group that we visit the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute since we didn’t visit it the day before. The other members agreed so we went ahead along the canal.
Photo while on our way to Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
After a few minutes walk in the strong wind which was affecting Kent Loong rather badly, we reached our destination. As the sun was shining bright, the lighting was extremely nice and the view of basilica up close was awesome.
Picture from the side
Nice view from beside the Basilica
Picture from front of Basilica
After taking some photos outside the Basilica, we decided to enter it.
Inside the Basilica
Kent Loong and Ma Jie sitting around
To visit some of the more significant parts of the Basilica, we were required to pay and due to a lack of interest, we decided to leave the Basilica. Stepping out of the Basilica, we were greeted with a wonderful view of the Grand Canal and the buildings on the other side of the canal. I still wonder how is it that we missed this view the first time. In any case, we snapped a few more photos before moving on.
View in front of Basilica
Me and Basilica
As it was almost 5.57pm, we decided to head back to our hotel to get our luggages and then go to the St. Lucia station.
Along the way, we passed by the Ponte dell’Academia and I took a picture of it because I passed it off as an ugly bridge the previous day (and I regretted).
Ponte dell’Academia with me (my camera’s flash function sucks)
We reached the vicinity of the station about 25 minutes before departure time (which was later than expected because we got lost). Before boarding the train, I rushed off to buy a Margherita Pizza and a Kebab Panini which together costed 5.00 euros, which may be my last meal in Venice.
Then at 5.57pm, the train left the station and we were off to Florence.
My short stay in Venice has shown me what a beautiful city truly looks like. Given the chance, I would definitely visit this place again someday, but not just for a short 2 days. On hindsight, I feel that 2 days were not really sufficient for me to truly experience this wonderful city.
Then again, it might be a good thing because it will give me reason to visit this place again, provided that I have the financial means to do so.
If any of you decide to visit Italy, I would definitely recommend this city again and again. You don’t need a reason to visit Venice if you can. Simply being there will justify your choice.
Trust me on this.
Peace out.
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