Travel to Venice, Italy Day 1

Paris, France -> Prague, Czech -> Venice, Italy

On the next morning, we was woke up by a loud, rude knock on the door from the housekeeper asking whether we are staying another day or not. And she did this to each room. Really loud. Sometimes, Italian can be a bit standoffish. So, we quickly get ready and went out of the hotel with hope of finding another hotel nearby that we can transfer.

Off we go with a crowd wave that seems to be going in one direction, so we just go with the flow. Stop for a while for some European breakfast (croissant and coffee) at park at a table. Them usually took it standing by the counter/bar. The old ladies beside us kept staring at us. Never seen Asian people before? or trying to place which country? Hope the conclusion is not India hahahaha. Just a bit darker and straight to India folks!

Pic: Ni namanya gondola.

There are so many canals and bridges. Everywhere you look is tourist and occasional locals working for tourists. And of course, the first gandola we saw, jakun sekejap la yek. Then, saw gondola that parked, of couse stopped to take pictures. Padahal lepas tu banyak giler jumpa gandola dan tak heran dah. Then, we somehow arrived at Rialto bridge. The bridge full of stops and besides the bridges, there are lots of markets and more shops.

Pic: Rialto bridge and view from top of Rialto bridge.

The morning light, happy mood, it really is breathtaking scenery and view from the bridge, I have to admit that I feel romantic already (hehehe).

Pic: Pak cik bawa gondola sambil nyanyi.

Unfortunately, we made a decision even before we arrived to not ride the gondola because of money shortage. 30 minutes gondola ride is equal to one night room (mahal gilos tau). But I regret a bit la (huhuhu, next time, ada rezeki, insya-allah).


We come across, a house where Mozart stay for a while while composing one of his music. They travel from one country to the next while composing and you can come across their house at any other country. On our way to the must-see Piazza San Marco, we took a wrong turn and come across Teatro La Fenice.

From there, we can't find our road on the map. Anybody who's going to Venice, first thing you must buy is their map as there are so many roads (gaps between the building) and very confusing. Don't rely on the maps on book guide (like us) because it's not sufficient. We bought a map on the second day, I think. Eventhough you don't mind getting lost and just go with the flow, even then, with a map, you still get lost. But from here, just go where the crowd goes and suddenly we arrived at Piazza San Marco.

Pic: St. Mark Basilica and Campanile

I can see what the fuzz is with Piazza San Marco. It's a very large square line with St. Mark Basilica on the front with it's bell tower; St. Mark Campanile. On the sides, it's shops and cafe; perfect for people watching. And in the middle, thousands of merpati birds. You can bought 1 euro of bird seeds and prepare to be attacked, I mean, swamped.

Pic: I don't like fluttering birds to near to me, okay. Banyak tau nih.

Pic: Dah takut dah nih.

Pic: St. Mark Basilica up close.

Pic: Some shops at the sides.

Just up front is the Doge's Palace where the city's administration took place with Doge acts as Ruler. It is also connected to the prison where the famous Casanova was held. If you watched Casanova (movie starring Heath Ledger), you can see the Doge's palace and the waterfront of the palace in more detail.

Pic: Doge's Palace

Pic: In front of the palace and overlooking San Giorgio Maggiore; a church.

Pic: The bridge of sighs

From the Doge's Palace, it is connected to the old prison by a bridge called Bridge of Sighs given by Lord Byron. It is the last view from the bridge that the prisoner will see before their imprisonment. It was said that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice out the window before being taken down to their cells. In reality, the days of inquisitions and summary executions were over by the time the bridge was built, and the cells under the palace roof were occupied mostly by small-time criminals. Another legend is lovers will be granted everlasting love and bliss if they kissed in a gondola at sunset under the bridge. :P


After that, a walk futher away and we come across a theater show at one of the piazza (square) near Accademia Bridge. Although, it's in Italy (or might be France, I forgot), but it's very entertaining as the face expression is being exaggerate or in other words, you can understand the storyline. They even involves audience where they point and say something (at me also) and one kid got scared and cry. I really like the costumes because it's so beautiful.

We took a detour to Accademia Bridge which is being renovated and sits down at one of the benches beside an art school where a dog tries to sniff my shoes.


The hotel near to our place, was full so we slept again in the crappy room.