Venice had a festival last night. This is one of the cool things about travelling in the summer: you are far more likely to stumble across such things, especially on the weekends. This festival was held on the harbour near St Mark’s Square. The idea (I think) was that a temporary bridge was built between two of the islands, and anyone who had a boat (or other floating device – I saw everything from ridiculously large expensive yachts to transport barges fancied up with strings of paper lanterns and flowers to kayaks) loaded it up with friends and party supplies and headed for the harbour. It was one big water-based party! The rest of us had to admire from the shore, where there was not a great vantage point really! At 11.30pm the fireoworks began, and lasted for no less than 45 minutes. A very impressive display that included the tolling of the bell in the bell tower at midnight. While I think not much can top my experience of New Year’s Eve on the Sydney Harbour in 2000, this came a solid second!
This morning all of Venice had something of a hangover, and I pity the fool who had to clean up the mess; I personally saw at least three glass bottles smash on the pavement…
So today I am in Florence and feeling a little sleepy. Time for a rest day anyway! Off to see the sights tomorrow!
I hope you took plenty of photos – can’t wait to see them.