I keep wondering if things can get any better on this cruise, but there are surprises at every destination. Today, we sailed into Venice. This is a truly magical experience. We have flown into Venice in the past and taken the water taxi to the hotel, where you are looking up at the buildings. On the deck of the Dawn princess, we were looking down on the majestic, ancient buildings that appear to grow right out of the sea. During the afternoon we walked around Venice and enjoyed the unique experience of not having to worry about cars in this city of a thousand malls. We walked across to the area, which contains the famous Rialto Bridge and when we tired of walking we sat and Bill had a beer and I enjoyed the famous Italian gelato. There is nothing like the genuine Italian gelato. As we ate and drank we enjoyed people watching. At abut 4.00 p.m. after their 3 hour siesta, the Venetians ventured onto the streets to do their food shopping. Bill and I returned to the ship for dinner, and then went back for an evening gondola ride. As we sat in the gondola drinking champagne, we listened to the gondolier dressed in his blue and white striped shirt sing Italian love songs while his friend played the piano accordion. After this we wandered around St. Mark’s Square where four of the restaurants had a five piece band playing. We found many Australians from the ship listening to the music, and several of the choir members started singing along with the band. They proved quite expert at O sole Mio, and songs from The Sound of Music. At one stage we even did an attempt at the Paso Doble when the appropriate music was played. How many people have ever danced the Paso Doble in St. Mark’s square? We were told by our fellow passengers not to sit down and have a coffee here as the cost would be 45 Euro by the time they added the cost of the music and service charges and compulsory tips to the price of the coffee. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the free music. We joined quite a long queue to get the boat shuttle back to our ship, arriving home about midnight. (Barbara)
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