Our last day so packed after breakfast and checked out. I had decided I wanted to go to the Doge’s Palace. The others weren’t too keen so I said I would meet them later in the day thinking I would get some time by myself to sit and think and write postcards and watch the world go by. Hoever they decided to come with me. The Doges Palace was built in the glory days of the Venetian Republic where the Doge was the state’s supreme ruler for his lifetime. They weren’t usually picked until they were in their 60’s or 70’s so a lifetime wasn’t long. The Palace was built in the 14th and 15th century and had a prison underneath. There is a Bridge of Sighs as the prisoners often cried when walking over as they know it would be the last time possibly they would see the Grand Canal again or sunlight. I got an audio device as I find they add interesting tidbits to what is written in each room however I did have to confess to the others at the end that it was the most boringest palace and the most boringest audio I have ever listened to. We went for lunch after this – nice but very small again and then more gelato. Back to the hotel by 5 to pick up our bags and get on the valporetto to the bus station.
We were there early so I looked after the bags and wrote postcards. More long queues for Ryan Air at the airport and then nothing open apart from one tiny café once we were thru security – not enough seats for half those there and once we were allowed down to the gates – queues up the stairs as two flights departing at once and not enough room for standing and 20 seats for 300 people. Some flirting with the male Italian flight crew (he was not good looking in any way) who loved my New Zealand accent. Then back to Stansted by midnight – the bus ride back to Baker Street and ages waiting for the two different night buses – one to Trafalgar Square and just missing the one I wanted with a 30 min wait for the next one and finally in bed by 0330
I have to say I loved Venice and if anyone goes you just have to pay to stay in the centre as its worth it for the atmosphere.