Venice 2022 - Part 2
The third and last full day we have reserved for sightseeing. First, we want to go to Burano and Murano, two islands that lie northeast of the main island in the lagoon. Yesterday afternoon we already bought day tickets for the Vaporettos, which not only run on the canals of the main island but also connect the other islands in the lagoon.
We want to start with Burano. We are so early at the ferry, that except for us only locals are on board. The crossing takes about three-quarters of an hour and on the way the sun also rises. Today, by the way, without a dramatic sky. As early as we are, we don't see any tourists in Burano itself. Unfortunately, there is also no café open.
Burano is not quite as crowded as Murano, but it is certainly not unknown either. So during the day, it can get crowded. But we have the colorful houses, canals, and alleys largely for ourselves. Another advantage if you are there early is of course that you have good light.
The island is not very big and after about an hour we make our way back on the same ferry. However, we do not go all the way back but get off in Murano.
Murano is known for its glassblowers and this is also pretty much the only interesting thing we found. The touristy part is mostly made up of stores and occasional workshops, while the less touristy part is mostly made up of less attractive residential buildings.
In some of the local glass-blowing shops, you can attend free demonstrations. The whole thing does not look like staging, but rather like a small manufacturing in which serious business is conducted. Still, much of the merchandise sold on Murano probably comes from Chinese factories. The signs "original Murano glass" on some stores won't stick there for nothing.
After a delicious lunch (the not-so-small garden restaurant filled up within minutes after it opened), we head back to the downtown area. Originally I wanted to stop at the cemetery island of San Michele, but we postpone that to "someday". Instead, we stay aboard the ferry and cruise once around the main island to Giudecca. Giudecca is an elongated group of islands to the south across from Dorsoduro. We wander through the alleys and have a drink at one of the nice and not-so-expensive restaurants on the shore of the lagoon.
While we are here we also want to have a look at the San Giorgio Maggiore church. During the Biennale there is an exhibition of the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei with pictures made of small Lego bricks and a gigantic chandelier.
Finally, we take the ferry back to San Marco and walk through the various alleys back to the hotel. The meanwhile low sun illuminates the facades. But even the churches standing at squares are half in the shade so that I concentrate mainly on the roof structures.
Since our train leaves Venice only at noon, I get up early again to photograph a last sunrise. Today I'm drawn to the Ponte dell'Accademia and the view across the Grand Canal to the church of Santa Maria della Salute.
There are a number of other photographers here today waiting for the sunrise. The twilight doesn't offer much and then the sun rises behind low-hanging clouds. But a little patience pays off because finally, it manages to light up the clouds nicely.
Then the usual way back to the hotel follows, where we pack our things and just leave the key in the room as requested. Afterwards we walk to the train station. There the train is already standing ready, but is not displayed. In the meantime, it is even announced to depart from the regional trains section. Eventually we find it and finally the doors are opened. This time the trains are on time but still we are back home late in the evening.
