It's Tuesday and I've been home three days. With jetlag, which I describe as having the worst hangover ever without having had even one drink which sucks totally. I've also got hay fever still, sore throat and other stuff, but at least I'm home in my own environment which helps when you feel like this, except when the dogs bark. That doesn't help.
The flight home was uneventful, two nice young girls sitting next to me and all they did was sleep. The two kids sitting behind us didn't sleep, they yelled and kicked the seats. I didn't sleep this time, I was too busy being uncomfortable in the seat I think.
Arrived in Melbourne, bus back to Geelong, mum picked me up and drove me home. The babysitter had left but the girls were here to welcome me. Chellcee was beside herself and all she could do was bite me, after a little while Marlee and Chellcee lay in their baskets and Max fluffed around and eventually settled on the couch. All very subdued and quiet. Then when Chellcee came out of her basket and rolled over for me to pat her tummy I found a huge rash that has put a real downer on my holiday, I felt guilty and really upset to see her tummy and the dreadlocks in their hair because they hadn't been brushed.
At least I'm home and I can sort this out, get my clothes unpacked and back in the wardrobe and me ready to get back to (ugh) work (ugh).
Until next time ...
Tuesday, 23 January 2018
Friday, 19 January 2018
Leaving for home tonight
Well Singapore - you have underwhelmed me. The hotel is shit. Worst place for sleeping, doors banging, and I mean BANGING all night, people in the passageways all night, and now this morning, toilet blocked. Just in case I wasn't sure this is a shit hotel it confirmed it for me this morning, especially after letting reception know on my way to breakfast, get back and it's still blocked, ring reception they are sending someone, ring again half an hour later someone finally comes and unblocks it. I know these things happen but MAN!!
I went to China Town yesterday. I walked around the market shops for a while but then everything was starting to look the same and started to see locals all out and about with their umbrellas up for shade so that's when I decided I'd really had enough so walked back to the bus stop - stuffed if I know how I found it so easily - got the bus back to Raffles in search of coffee. Coffee here tastes nothing like coffee really. I don't know what it tastes like, but it's not coffee.
I came back to the hotel and spent a quiet few hours sorting through emails and 'stuff', made a couple of calls and it was time for bed. For me. For some others it was time to start banging fricken doors.
This morning I have had breakfast, a blocked toilet and am about to go out for a walk to the river then will come back and clean up, shower and pack ready to go home. By this time tomorrow I will be home.
I went to China Town yesterday. I walked around the market shops for a while but then everything was starting to look the same and started to see locals all out and about with their umbrellas up for shade so that's when I decided I'd really had enough so walked back to the bus stop - stuffed if I know how I found it so easily - got the bus back to Raffles in search of coffee. Coffee here tastes nothing like coffee really. I don't know what it tastes like, but it's not coffee.
I came back to the hotel and spent a quiet few hours sorting through emails and 'stuff', made a couple of calls and it was time for bed. For me. For some others it was time to start banging fricken doors.
This morning I have had breakfast, a blocked toilet and am about to go out for a walk to the river then will come back and clean up, shower and pack ready to go home. By this time tomorrow I will be home.
Wednesday, 17 January 2018
Singapore - First Impression
My first impressions of Singapore are -
- it's clean
- it's loud
- there are lots of either Australians or Americans or Englishans working and living here that I didn't expect to see
- no matter where I travel I am going to have 'issues' with hotel rooms
- people seem friendly
- a lot of Indian people here
- many if not all speak English
The plane rides were like plane rides thank goodness, nothing out of the ordinary. Venice to Dubai I don't really remember but I do remember having to hurry to get to the next lounge for my connecting flight to Singapore because we were delayed leaving Venice because there was fog in Dubai.
I got off the first plane then discovered where I had to be and raced - raced - to my next gate that was about 30 minutes away. I got there with about 10 minutes to spare, long enough to change my shoes and to find out if they would take euro so I could get a bottle of water. Lucky for me they did but gave me my change in Dobaian money whatever that is.
Get on the plane in Dubai and we wait. And wait, And wait. Three people hadn't turned up so we had to wait for them. Half an hour goes by and they either turned up or the pilot decided we had waited long enough because we took off. I had a biggish guy sitting next to me, that wasn't much fun. I did manage to nod off and on a couple of times but it was a bit difficult with him sitting next to me, especially when I could see through the curtain to business class.
Plane arrives, I get off, go through customs, come out the other side and my driver was standing there (thank goodness) so off he goes to get the car, I chatted to an Irish woman who had no idea where she was or what she was supposed to be doing, apparently her husband was off trying to find out. I asked if she knew where she was staying, which she did and I said why don't you just get a taxi to your hotel, get your bearings and go from there, so that's what they did. Deary me.
I get to my hotel, up to the Lobby and they check me in no drama. I go to my room, surprise, surprise, drama. The room stunk of cigarette smoke. Back to the Lobby and they were soooo surprised because it is a no smoking room. Well, someone's been smoking and I can't stay there. SO they move me ...
This hotel is very interesting. You arrive at the front and then have to go up the lift to get into the lobby and reception. Then they give you your room but it is not in the same building that you enter (which faces the water and the landmarks) but in a building behind the building you arrive at (view of a building site). I am guessing that to be in the room with the views you have to pay a much higher price, or something. They should tell you that you don't get the view they show in all the pictures unless you pay for them. The price for the building site is high enough!
I find my new room, same view of a building site but next to the lift, so I will see how quiet this one is and go from there.
I go down to reception - totally different reception to the one arrived at which confused me, but then I realised I was in the other building. Told the girl I was hungry and asked where I could go to get something to eat. She directed me to a food hall a couple of doors down so off I go. It had about ten different stalls so I had a look around and stopped at one that didn't look like it was all meat and I asked the woman if there was a vegetable dish without meat.
"I don't know"
So I went back and saw the reception chick again and she pointed me towards Raffles mall so off I go again. This time in the opposite direction, find the building, walked around all of the food shops but still couldn't decide so went to McDonalds!!
I don't even eat McDonalds at home! At least here they had a vegie burger so I had that.
I came back to the hotel, try to work the complimentary phone but couldn't so back to the Lobby for them to show me, they couldn't get it working so I had to go back later. Okay.
I go back to my room and turn on the tv. TV not working. Ring the Lobby, they will send someone to check on it. Okay.
The TV guy came, there was a loose wire. All fixed. Good.
Some guy brings the phone back and shows me how to work it. All fixed. Good.
Phone rings. It's Alex the buy I have to call if I want to change my car pick up time to the airport Friday. He was ringing to check my ride from the airport was okay.
Yes thanks, all good.
Is this the first time you have been to Singapore?
Yes.
What is your room number? I will come and go through some tours with you, can I recommend ...
Ahhh no thanks Alex
Oh ok then what about I meet you in the lobby after breakfast tomorrow, say 9.45 and we can go through some tours.
No thanks Alex, I know what I want to do while ....
Oh ok then I will meet you at 9.45 in the morning in the lobby, I will be wearing a camel colour jacket
Ok, bye.
WTF??
This morning doors banging and lifts arriving annoyed the crap out of me so before I went to breakfast I told the receptionist my room is too loud, the tv still isn't working - if it's not going to work put a new tv in the room, I'm going to breakfast I will call past when I am finished to see what you can do.
I go down to the restaurant for breakfast. Two people in front of me so the Maitre D' takes them to a table, comes back to me and says "Yes Sir?" I just looked at him and said I am not a man, please don't call me Sir.
Oh sorry madam, please follow me.
Had breakfast, (maitre d' checked up on me twice to make sure everything was okay), receptionist says pack up my things 'nicely' and they will change rooms for me. I said I am concerned that the room is going to smell again or something and the receptionist assures me that he will make sure the room is okay. I ask about the view (I look out on a building site), he tells me view over the city and all the landmarks cost a whole lot more and that I have already had an upgrade by being moved to a higher level and that's as far as they can go.
I go out for the day, I decided to go to Little China on the Hop On/Hop Off bus, so I get to the bus stop and looking for my phone so I can see what the time is. I've left my phone in the room so back I come, find my phone and the cleaner in my room, back to the bus stop in time for the bus to be pulling up. Bonus! Not! Wrong bus. There are about seven On/Off buses apparently. This one was yellow. I wanted red. Didn't matter. I sat on the yellow bus for about an hour doing a tour of Singapore then swapped to the red bus when we got to a terminal and the driver said we can swap if we want to. So, I get on the red bus planning to get off in Little China. We drive a few streets and get to Little India and I thought stuff it, and got off and walked a few blocks seeing only electronics and ridiculously noisy toys and a couple of restaurants, one with a huge VEGETARIAN sign so in I went.
I ordered vegetables and rice, and a home made ice tea. The Iced tea arrived first - hot tea with some ice cubes in it. Then the rice then the vegetables or should I say Chillies and vegetables. Mamma mia! Was it hot! BUT it made my nose run which was good because yesterday's hay fever gave me a blocked nose. Sorted!
I walked up to the top of Little India crossed the road and came back down, went into a few shops, didn't see anything I particularly liked until I came across a shopping mall with heaps of clothes in it, so went shopping in there for a while, then caught the red bus back to the hotel.
After a couple of hours I went to the shopping centre across the road and one block up, made an appointment to get my nails done then went looking for something to eat. I had some 'fried rice' kind of stuff then went looking for the nail place for my appointment. Hopeless. I had no idea where to go, I took note when I left the nail place that I went straight to the end of the passageway and turned left and went nowhere else, so you would think when I turn around I go straight then turn right but no, it doesn't seem to work that way for me. Ever. I was seeing shops I'd never seen before in my life!
Anyway, I eventually tried going down an escalator and things were starting to look familiar ... another escalator down then walking up about 50 meters then up another escalator and along a bit and bingo bango, there was the nail place! To discover the $68 - yes $68 they were going to charge me didn't include colour, that was going to be an additional $20 ... $88 to get my nails done, when I don't even pay $30 at home! Needless to say, I didn't get my nails done!
I've come back to my new room which has a much better view over the park, (still not of the landmarks but I'm not paying them enough for that) and I'm sitting in the window seat watching the lightening happening right now and listening to the thunder rolling along.
Tomorrow I am planning on going to Little China then see what happens, probably not much. I'm tired but not hideously crying exhausted - I could have been if my new room was crap though, quite easily!
- it's clean
- it's loud
- there are lots of either Australians or Americans or Englishans working and living here that I didn't expect to see
- no matter where I travel I am going to have 'issues' with hotel rooms
- people seem friendly
- a lot of Indian people here
- many if not all speak English
The plane rides were like plane rides thank goodness, nothing out of the ordinary. Venice to Dubai I don't really remember but I do remember having to hurry to get to the next lounge for my connecting flight to Singapore because we were delayed leaving Venice because there was fog in Dubai.
I got off the first plane then discovered where I had to be and raced - raced - to my next gate that was about 30 minutes away. I got there with about 10 minutes to spare, long enough to change my shoes and to find out if they would take euro so I could get a bottle of water. Lucky for me they did but gave me my change in Dobaian money whatever that is.
Get on the plane in Dubai and we wait. And wait, And wait. Three people hadn't turned up so we had to wait for them. Half an hour goes by and they either turned up or the pilot decided we had waited long enough because we took off. I had a biggish guy sitting next to me, that wasn't much fun. I did manage to nod off and on a couple of times but it was a bit difficult with him sitting next to me, especially when I could see through the curtain to business class.
Plane arrives, I get off, go through customs, come out the other side and my driver was standing there (thank goodness) so off he goes to get the car, I chatted to an Irish woman who had no idea where she was or what she was supposed to be doing, apparently her husband was off trying to find out. I asked if she knew where she was staying, which she did and I said why don't you just get a taxi to your hotel, get your bearings and go from there, so that's what they did. Deary me.
I get to my hotel, up to the Lobby and they check me in no drama. I go to my room, surprise, surprise, drama. The room stunk of cigarette smoke. Back to the Lobby and they were soooo surprised because it is a no smoking room. Well, someone's been smoking and I can't stay there. SO they move me ...
This hotel is very interesting. You arrive at the front and then have to go up the lift to get into the lobby and reception. Then they give you your room but it is not in the same building that you enter (which faces the water and the landmarks) but in a building behind the building you arrive at (view of a building site). I am guessing that to be in the room with the views you have to pay a much higher price, or something. They should tell you that you don't get the view they show in all the pictures unless you pay for them. The price for the building site is high enough!
I find my new room, same view of a building site but next to the lift, so I will see how quiet this one is and go from there.
I go down to reception - totally different reception to the one arrived at which confused me, but then I realised I was in the other building. Told the girl I was hungry and asked where I could go to get something to eat. She directed me to a food hall a couple of doors down so off I go. It had about ten different stalls so I had a look around and stopped at one that didn't look like it was all meat and I asked the woman if there was a vegetable dish without meat.
"I don't know"
So I went back and saw the reception chick again and she pointed me towards Raffles mall so off I go again. This time in the opposite direction, find the building, walked around all of the food shops but still couldn't decide so went to McDonalds!!
I don't even eat McDonalds at home! At least here they had a vegie burger so I had that.
I came back to the hotel, try to work the complimentary phone but couldn't so back to the Lobby for them to show me, they couldn't get it working so I had to go back later. Okay.
I go back to my room and turn on the tv. TV not working. Ring the Lobby, they will send someone to check on it. Okay.
The TV guy came, there was a loose wire. All fixed. Good.
Some guy brings the phone back and shows me how to work it. All fixed. Good.
Phone rings. It's Alex the buy I have to call if I want to change my car pick up time to the airport Friday. He was ringing to check my ride from the airport was okay.
Yes thanks, all good.
Is this the first time you have been to Singapore?
Yes.
What is your room number? I will come and go through some tours with you, can I recommend ...
Ahhh no thanks Alex
Oh ok then what about I meet you in the lobby after breakfast tomorrow, say 9.45 and we can go through some tours.
No thanks Alex, I know what I want to do while ....
Oh ok then I will meet you at 9.45 in the morning in the lobby, I will be wearing a camel colour jacket
Ok, bye.
WTF??
This morning doors banging and lifts arriving annoyed the crap out of me so before I went to breakfast I told the receptionist my room is too loud, the tv still isn't working - if it's not going to work put a new tv in the room, I'm going to breakfast I will call past when I am finished to see what you can do.
I go down to the restaurant for breakfast. Two people in front of me so the Maitre D' takes them to a table, comes back to me and says "Yes Sir?" I just looked at him and said I am not a man, please don't call me Sir.
Oh sorry madam, please follow me.
Had breakfast, (maitre d' checked up on me twice to make sure everything was okay), receptionist says pack up my things 'nicely' and they will change rooms for me. I said I am concerned that the room is going to smell again or something and the receptionist assures me that he will make sure the room is okay. I ask about the view (I look out on a building site), he tells me view over the city and all the landmarks cost a whole lot more and that I have already had an upgrade by being moved to a higher level and that's as far as they can go.
I go out for the day, I decided to go to Little China on the Hop On/Hop Off bus, so I get to the bus stop and looking for my phone so I can see what the time is. I've left my phone in the room so back I come, find my phone and the cleaner in my room, back to the bus stop in time for the bus to be pulling up. Bonus! Not! Wrong bus. There are about seven On/Off buses apparently. This one was yellow. I wanted red. Didn't matter. I sat on the yellow bus for about an hour doing a tour of Singapore then swapped to the red bus when we got to a terminal and the driver said we can swap if we want to. So, I get on the red bus planning to get off in Little China. We drive a few streets and get to Little India and I thought stuff it, and got off and walked a few blocks seeing only electronics and ridiculously noisy toys and a couple of restaurants, one with a huge VEGETARIAN sign so in I went.
I ordered vegetables and rice, and a home made ice tea. The Iced tea arrived first - hot tea with some ice cubes in it. Then the rice then the vegetables or should I say Chillies and vegetables. Mamma mia! Was it hot! BUT it made my nose run which was good because yesterday's hay fever gave me a blocked nose. Sorted!
I walked up to the top of Little India crossed the road and came back down, went into a few shops, didn't see anything I particularly liked until I came across a shopping mall with heaps of clothes in it, so went shopping in there for a while, then caught the red bus back to the hotel.
After a couple of hours I went to the shopping centre across the road and one block up, made an appointment to get my nails done then went looking for something to eat. I had some 'fried rice' kind of stuff then went looking for the nail place for my appointment. Hopeless. I had no idea where to go, I took note when I left the nail place that I went straight to the end of the passageway and turned left and went nowhere else, so you would think when I turn around I go straight then turn right but no, it doesn't seem to work that way for me. Ever. I was seeing shops I'd never seen before in my life!
Anyway, I eventually tried going down an escalator and things were starting to look familiar ... another escalator down then walking up about 50 meters then up another escalator and along a bit and bingo bango, there was the nail place! To discover the $68 - yes $68 they were going to charge me didn't include colour, that was going to be an additional $20 ... $88 to get my nails done, when I don't even pay $30 at home! Needless to say, I didn't get my nails done!
I've come back to my new room which has a much better view over the park, (still not of the landmarks but I'm not paying them enough for that) and I'm sitting in the window seat watching the lightening happening right now and listening to the thunder rolling along.
Tomorrow I am planning on going to Little China then see what happens, probably not much. I'm tired but not hideously crying exhausted - I could have been if my new room was crap though, quite easily!
Interesting character at the bus stop - the guy in orange was playing some
stringed instrument that sounded like a year 2 student playing the recorder, he had a
stand with oranges on it but I didn't see a container for money so not sure if he was a busker
or not. The other guy was his buddy and was having a chat.
Little India
A temple in Little India
Temple roof
My lunch
My lunch was FULL of chilly!
Monday, 15 January 2018
Venice Airport
Well, I'm sitting here, looking out the window and waiting ...
Apparently there is fog at Dubai airport, that's why we are leaving late.
I'm more than happy to wait, I don't mind hanging around airports. I'd much rather be four hours early than four minutes late!
Getting here was 'interesting'.
I left the hotel and walked to the water bus stop, waited there maybe ten minutes and the boat arrived. There were two others waiting, they took their two miniscule cases and got on. Sidenote - everyone here travels with the smallest size suitcase - carry-on size. Everyone. I have only ever seen one other person with a grande suitcase, and they were on the water bus to the airport! I think European people must either only go on overnighters, or, are going somewhere where they already have stuff, because they aren't going for long otherwise!
Anyway - I get on the boat, drag my case across onto the boat and look down and there are five steep steps to get into the front of the boat. They are so steep I can't see the bottom step. The guy tying up the boat was talking to someone at the stop so he was not going to help me, and the driver just looked at me and said "You can't leave that here, you have to take it down there" I looked 'down there' and looked at him and asked if he would help me please.
"You can't leave that here"
"I understand that, my case is heavy, would you help me please".
"You can't leave that here".
So, I start moving towards the stairs, holding on tightly and go down one step and turn around to get my case and he has got it and is pushing it into me! I looked at him and said "SCUSA!!" which is about when he pushed the case on top of me. I went down one more step, with the case pushed against me, and then a guy who was already on the boat came racing over and held the case while I got down the stairs then he bought the case down, then he turned around and gave the driver the biggest mouthful of Italian language I have never understood!!!
The driver went to his seat, picked up his phone and starts talking on it while the guy who tied the boat to the landing closed the door to the cabin and we took off. All the while the guy who helped me was apologising to me for the drivers rudeness. Nice Italian -v- Horrible Italian. Nice always wins.
We get to the airport, Nice Italian helps me off the boat and gives the driver another mouthful while I walk off "grazie"ing to Nice Italian all over the place. I get inside, find where I have to go, check-in then get to security.
I put my bags through no drama and as I am walking through the screener I hear the security man say to the security lady in Italian "That is a stupid dress, it is too long, it is dangerous, she will trip"
So I turned around and in Italian said "I understood what you said (he went red) and I think you are rude" then I picked up my things and walked away. THANK GOD I didn't trip!!
I've thanked my coat for all its hard work over the past couple of months and dumped it in the bin, had a walk around the airport, had something to drink and am now sitting watching planes leave and people come and go. It is almost 2pm so another hour and we will start boarding so I will kick back and watch a bit longer.
Apparently there is fog at Dubai airport, that's why we are leaving late.
I'm more than happy to wait, I don't mind hanging around airports. I'd much rather be four hours early than four minutes late!
Getting here was 'interesting'.
I left the hotel and walked to the water bus stop, waited there maybe ten minutes and the boat arrived. There were two others waiting, they took their two miniscule cases and got on. Sidenote - everyone here travels with the smallest size suitcase - carry-on size. Everyone. I have only ever seen one other person with a grande suitcase, and they were on the water bus to the airport! I think European people must either only go on overnighters, or, are going somewhere where they already have stuff, because they aren't going for long otherwise!
Anyway - I get on the boat, drag my case across onto the boat and look down and there are five steep steps to get into the front of the boat. They are so steep I can't see the bottom step. The guy tying up the boat was talking to someone at the stop so he was not going to help me, and the driver just looked at me and said "You can't leave that here, you have to take it down there" I looked 'down there' and looked at him and asked if he would help me please.
"You can't leave that here"
"I understand that, my case is heavy, would you help me please".
"You can't leave that here".
So, I start moving towards the stairs, holding on tightly and go down one step and turn around to get my case and he has got it and is pushing it into me! I looked at him and said "SCUSA!!" which is about when he pushed the case on top of me. I went down one more step, with the case pushed against me, and then a guy who was already on the boat came racing over and held the case while I got down the stairs then he bought the case down, then he turned around and gave the driver the biggest mouthful of Italian language I have never understood!!!
The driver went to his seat, picked up his phone and starts talking on it while the guy who tied the boat to the landing closed the door to the cabin and we took off. All the while the guy who helped me was apologising to me for the drivers rudeness. Nice Italian -v- Horrible Italian. Nice always wins.
We get to the airport, Nice Italian helps me off the boat and gives the driver another mouthful while I walk off "grazie"ing to Nice Italian all over the place. I get inside, find where I have to go, check-in then get to security.
I put my bags through no drama and as I am walking through the screener I hear the security man say to the security lady in Italian "That is a stupid dress, it is too long, it is dangerous, she will trip"
So I turned around and in Italian said "I understood what you said (he went red) and I think you are rude" then I picked up my things and walked away. THANK GOD I didn't trip!!
I've thanked my coat for all its hard work over the past couple of months and dumped it in the bin, had a walk around the airport, had something to drink and am now sitting watching planes leave and people come and go. It is almost 2pm so another hour and we will start boarding so I will kick back and watch a bit longer.
Last Day in Venice - Monday 15 January
I'm in the breakfast room at the moment, stuffing myself stupid because who knows what the airlines are going to feed me, although the food coming over wasn't too bad at all if I can remember. So hard to remember that far back, can't hardly remember being in Barcelona any more.
Yesterday was a quietish day, I walked to the station down a calle I hadn't been down before because why not, then I got a vaporetto around the Grand Canal to San Marco where I got off and walked along the waterfront looking for a particular item from the souvenir sellers. There are plenty of souvenir sellers along there, all with the same stuff, all priced the same so I have no idea what the competitive edge would be.
I found what I was looking for, and got my 7th pair of gloves - I am constantly losing one glove, always the left glove. Who can work out why FFS! Then I walked back through the maze to the Rialto, turned right and walked back to Cannaregio. I didn't stop and buy anything on the way but I did stop at GAM GAM to have some lunch but they didn't have any tables!!!! So, I booked a table for in an hour, walked back to the hotel and dumped the souvenir stuff, had a cuppa then went back for lunch. I had been told the fried artichokes are a must so I had them, then potato latkes with delicious apple sauce then I asked for the infusion drink and a half serve of cookies - a full serve is 8, 8 is too many even for me. My infusion arrived and I think the cookies arrived but were delivered to the table next to me, I let them eat them, big deal.
The people there are so lovely, when I arrived the second time one guy was outside having a cigarette, he dropped that and came in to show me to my table, another fussed around me while he was setting the table, the waiter came and a full on chat ensued. All just lovely people, sounds a bit much but they do it so well that it is appreciated.
I paid the bill and left a good tip really disappointed that I won't get to eat that food again for a long time. I will need to find a kosher restaurant in Geelong or Melbourne at least when I get home.
I then walked around the area again for a couple of hours, things were all open and very much happening yesterday, then back to my room to throw out and pack. I have two full bags of clothes ready to throw out and another bag of 'stuff'. I have been leaving things every day in the bin or next to the bin for them to take but they don't take them. One glove and they put it on the bench. Broken umbrella and they put it on the bench. At least today they will know I was serious!
I am about to go and pay my bill for the bar fridge at the desk - best and cheapest stuff in that fridge, why bother going shopping when they have it all there for me. No alcohol in there but if you want a drink have a prosecco with breakfast like the Italians do!
So, I will go back to my room and make sure everything I want to take is in my case then get the waterbus at 11 from out the front of GAM GAM, I will be at the airport by 11.45, I will check in then relax until my flight goes at 3.20 this afternoon.
I arrive in Dubai about six hours later, a two hour stop over then 7 hours to Singapore. I arrive there tomorrow afternoon around 3ish Singaporian time (I think). Is it no wonder I have no idea of the time or day for a few days with this ridiculousness!!
Stay tuned for Singapore!
At Guell Park in Barcelona - it was so long ago!
Yesterday was a quietish day, I walked to the station down a calle I hadn't been down before because why not, then I got a vaporetto around the Grand Canal to San Marco where I got off and walked along the waterfront looking for a particular item from the souvenir sellers. There are plenty of souvenir sellers along there, all with the same stuff, all priced the same so I have no idea what the competitive edge would be.
Along the Grand Canal this morning
The Guggenheim from the Grand Canal
The Haunted House
San Giorgio Chiesa in the background - on the Grand Canal
I found what I was looking for, and got my 7th pair of gloves - I am constantly losing one glove, always the left glove. Who can work out why FFS! Then I walked back through the maze to the Rialto, turned right and walked back to Cannaregio. I didn't stop and buy anything on the way but I did stop at GAM GAM to have some lunch but they didn't have any tables!!!! So, I booked a table for in an hour, walked back to the hotel and dumped the souvenir stuff, had a cuppa then went back for lunch. I had been told the fried artichokes are a must so I had them, then potato latkes with delicious apple sauce then I asked for the infusion drink and a half serve of cookies - a full serve is 8, 8 is too many even for me. My infusion arrived and I think the cookies arrived but were delivered to the table next to me, I let them eat them, big deal.
The people there are so lovely, when I arrived the second time one guy was outside having a cigarette, he dropped that and came in to show me to my table, another fussed around me while he was setting the table, the waiter came and a full on chat ensued. All just lovely people, sounds a bit much but they do it so well that it is appreciated.
I paid the bill and left a good tip really disappointed that I won't get to eat that food again for a long time. I will need to find a kosher restaurant in Geelong or Melbourne at least when I get home.
I then walked around the area again for a couple of hours, things were all open and very much happening yesterday, then back to my room to throw out and pack. I have two full bags of clothes ready to throw out and another bag of 'stuff'. I have been leaving things every day in the bin or next to the bin for them to take but they don't take them. One glove and they put it on the bench. Broken umbrella and they put it on the bench. At least today they will know I was serious!
I am about to go and pay my bill for the bar fridge at the desk - best and cheapest stuff in that fridge, why bother going shopping when they have it all there for me. No alcohol in there but if you want a drink have a prosecco with breakfast like the Italians do!
So, I will go back to my room and make sure everything I want to take is in my case then get the waterbus at 11 from out the front of GAM GAM, I will be at the airport by 11.45, I will check in then relax until my flight goes at 3.20 this afternoon.
I arrive in Dubai about six hours later, a two hour stop over then 7 hours to Singapore. I arrive there tomorrow afternoon around 3ish Singaporian time (I think). Is it no wonder I have no idea of the time or day for a few days with this ridiculousness!!
Stay tuned for Singapore!
Sunday, 14 January 2018
Guggenheim Museum
I walked around to the station this morning and caught the vaporetto to Santa Maria della Salute and walked to the point known as No. 1 Dorsoduro to check out the view. I went there the other day on my walking tour except it was so foggy we couldn't see anything but fog. Today it was clear and you get a lovely view of Giudecca - the island opposite San Marco - and a different view of the Doge's Palace.
I left there after a while and walked to the Guggenheim. On the way I passed a lot of artisan shops, one I saw the other day with the most amazing lights that the designer had made. They would be worth thousands and thousands but they were amazing!
Then I walked past a jewellers, stopped, went back, had another look and then decided to go in. I was checking out one necklace and was wondering where I would wear a necklace like that to justify spending the amount of money. Then I decided that I would wear it anywhere I wanted and I don't have to justify spending money. So I bought it.
Then I arrived at Guggenheim. Way to make a good day go to shit. I went in to buy my ticket and the chick asked if I wanted a paper guide for 5 euro or an audio guide for 7 euro. She said the audio guide was really good so I said ok I will have one of those. She gave me the ticket for the audio guide and told me to go to the chick two chicks down to pick up the audio guide.
I get to audio chick and hand her my ticket. That's when it all started going to shit. She wanted me to leave something with my name on it as security for the (7 euro) audio set. I only had my credit card so wasn't leaving that and I told her I didn't have anything with my name on it. She just looked at me and said again she needed something with my name on as security or she wouldn't be able to give me an audio guide. Ok I said, give me my money back because I don't have anything with my name on it. Audio chick calls out to money chick who has two lines of people waiting to be served by her, that I don't want to leave something with my name on it so I want my money back. Everyone just turns and looks at me like I was a criminal. I looked at audio chick and said "No, it's not that I don't want to leave anything with my name on it, it is because I don't have anything with my name on it". She calls out again, "She wants her money back because she doesn't want to leave anything with her name on it". I took my 7 euro and walked towards to exhibition.
On the way I saw the café so thought I would go in and have coffee first before going into the exhibition then the museum.
I walked in and stood at the bar - one female behind the bar, one guy leaning all over the bar. The girl says "Madam, this is table service only, go and sit down and we come to you" (I should have just left but no ...) So leaning guy comes over, pen and paper ready, and I said "Cuppacino" he put his pen and paper down and turned around, bought me my coffee and walked away. They certainly didn't mind me being at the bar to pay though.
I walked into the exhibition building to see it all sealed off. I tried another entry. No, sealed off. So, I go to the chick at the ticket booth - different set of booths - and asked how I get in to see the exhibition. She said the Picasso exhibition finished last week and they are installing the new exhibition - didn't they tell me at the ticket office there was no exhibition? No. Oh, they should have, sorry about that, did you want to see the exhibition? I just looked at her and didn't bother answering.
I walked into the museum (that I have seen before). There were a lot of drugs taken by the people whose art hangs in that museum.
I walked into the room where the 3D silver bed head is hanging and fell in love with it. I moved a bit closer to take some detailed photos - I was about a meter away - took my photos and turned around and BANG into one of the museum 'workers' who was about to ask me to move away - I just looked at her and said "I wasn't going to touch it!".
After that I decided I had had about enough of Guggenheim and the stupidity of the young females who all thought they were the boss of the world there. I went out on to the 'verandah' (not sure what the correct name for the area would be) and checked out the amazing view that place has. After a while, I left.
Walking back towards Cannaregio I discovered areas I haven't been to before, which I think unless I was here for years would always happen. Stopped off and had some lunch then walked back towards Cannaregio. Walking over a bridge with two people dressed up for carnival (they are starting to show up everywhere) and one of them gets into my face and asks if I want a photo with a "Doge" "No, grazie" and he starts to follow me, asking for a photo with a "Doge". I stopped. Turned around, looked at him like Miss Durran and said slowly and very clearly "Ho detto No, grazie!" (I said, No Thankyou!). He looked at me like he could not understand why I wouldn't want a photo and I just stared back until he walked away. I don't think they know that No means No in Italy.
I found my way back at the hotel, too early for the bar - I was here around 4, bar opens 5.30 apparently even though the book says 11am, so I went for a walk around the block and ended up going for almost two hours, in the nice, quiet area.
The fish market on my canal every morning
Fruit and veg on my canal every morning
San Marco from No 1 Dorsoduro
Giudecca from No. 1 Dorsoduro
Then I walked past a jewellers, stopped, went back, had another look and then decided to go in. I was checking out one necklace and was wondering where I would wear a necklace like that to justify spending the amount of money. Then I decided that I would wear it anywhere I wanted and I don't have to justify spending money. So I bought it.
Then I arrived at Guggenheim. Way to make a good day go to shit. I went in to buy my ticket and the chick asked if I wanted a paper guide for 5 euro or an audio guide for 7 euro. She said the audio guide was really good so I said ok I will have one of those. She gave me the ticket for the audio guide and told me to go to the chick two chicks down to pick up the audio guide.
I get to audio chick and hand her my ticket. That's when it all started going to shit. She wanted me to leave something with my name on it as security for the (7 euro) audio set. I only had my credit card so wasn't leaving that and I told her I didn't have anything with my name on it. She just looked at me and said again she needed something with my name on as security or she wouldn't be able to give me an audio guide. Ok I said, give me my money back because I don't have anything with my name on it. Audio chick calls out to money chick who has two lines of people waiting to be served by her, that I don't want to leave something with my name on it so I want my money back. Everyone just turns and looks at me like I was a criminal. I looked at audio chick and said "No, it's not that I don't want to leave anything with my name on it, it is because I don't have anything with my name on it". She calls out again, "She wants her money back because she doesn't want to leave anything with her name on it". I took my 7 euro and walked towards to exhibition.
On the way I saw the café so thought I would go in and have coffee first before going into the exhibition then the museum.
I walked in and stood at the bar - one female behind the bar, one guy leaning all over the bar. The girl says "Madam, this is table service only, go and sit down and we come to you" (I should have just left but no ...) So leaning guy comes over, pen and paper ready, and I said "Cuppacino" he put his pen and paper down and turned around, bought me my coffee and walked away. They certainly didn't mind me being at the bar to pay though.
I walked into the exhibition building to see it all sealed off. I tried another entry. No, sealed off. So, I go to the chick at the ticket booth - different set of booths - and asked how I get in to see the exhibition. She said the Picasso exhibition finished last week and they are installing the new exhibition - didn't they tell me at the ticket office there was no exhibition? No. Oh, they should have, sorry about that, did you want to see the exhibition? I just looked at her and didn't bother answering.
I walked into the museum (that I have seen before). There were a lot of drugs taken by the people whose art hangs in that museum.
Peggy Guggenheim is buried in the garden of the Museum with all of her dogs
I walked into the room where the 3D silver bed head is hanging and fell in love with it. I moved a bit closer to take some detailed photos - I was about a meter away - took my photos and turned around and BANG into one of the museum 'workers' who was about to ask me to move away - I just looked at her and said "I wasn't going to touch it!".
Beautiful
After that I decided I had had about enough of Guggenheim and the stupidity of the young females who all thought they were the boss of the world there. I went out on to the 'verandah' (not sure what the correct name for the area would be) and checked out the amazing view that place has. After a while, I left.
Walking back towards Cannaregio I discovered areas I haven't been to before, which I think unless I was here for years would always happen. Stopped off and had some lunch then walked back towards Cannaregio. Walking over a bridge with two people dressed up for carnival (they are starting to show up everywhere) and one of them gets into my face and asks if I want a photo with a "Doge" "No, grazie" and he starts to follow me, asking for a photo with a "Doge". I stopped. Turned around, looked at him like Miss Durran and said slowly and very clearly "Ho detto No, grazie!" (I said, No Thankyou!). He looked at me like he could not understand why I wouldn't want a photo and I just stared back until he walked away. I don't think they know that No means No in Italy.
I found my way back at the hotel, too early for the bar - I was here around 4, bar opens 5.30 apparently even though the book says 11am, so I went for a walk around the block and ended up going for almost two hours, in the nice, quiet area.
These two reminded me of the two cartoon Mexican crows
equivalent to an Aussie back yard (Dorsoduro)
The bird shit makes her look like she is crying, she might be, her nose is broken off, it probably hurts
Jewish square tonight, very quiet
Sunset over the back lagoon
Shop sign in Dorsoduro
Lights of the mainland during sunset
Saturday, 13 January 2018
Basilica San Marco
I had a tour today of the Basilica in San Marco.
I left the hotel after breakfast and walked around to San Marco. I was there almost 1 1/2 hours early, it was a lovely morning, sunshine and not a sign of any 'mist'.
I went for a walk out the back of San Marco, there are so many bloody tourist shops everywhere that side of Venice. Where I am staying there is one or two tourist stalls, and a couple of 'Murano' glass shops (the glass comes from China, don't know how they get away with calling it "Murano"). It is very different here in the winter to the summer. In the summer when you walk through San Marco you have to battle your way across from one side to the other. Now there is plenty of clear space to just wander around.
I watched kids feeding the pigeons (illegal, 500 euro fine) with food given to them by their parents then parents take photos with their kids covered in the birds thinking it's cute (imagine all the germs!!) then the kids chase the pigeons. Then I watched kids just chasing the pigeons. Then I watched kids and people trying to kick the birds. There were also people just ignoring the birds and leaving them to do bird things. I saw a couple of people trying to stop the kids. Not many though. It made me wonder if any research has been done on why people do this. Maybe there's a PHD in it for me to do some study!
I met the tour organisers at the designated time. I was the only person. They handed me my head set, I asked if I was the only person. No, I was to catch the group as they walked out of the Doge's Palace and join them. In the meantime I asked where is a rubbish bin to put the plastic bag my head set came in as I picked up a plastic bag off the ground. The guy didn't know so I went looking. There are no bins in San Marco piazza! I went back to the group and the girl told me there are no bins for security reasons and that I could hold on to the bag until I met up with the rest of the group, there was a bin there, so I did that. No bins in San Marco where thousands of people are every day.
I joined the group, we went into the basilica. It was quite lovely, mostly gold, some colour mosaics, but no photos allowed. I don't know why. I get why when there are frescos or paintings but not mosaics. The guide thought it might be because of copyright. Who knows.
I wasn't overwhelmed by the inside as I thought I would be. But I would have liked to have been able to take proper photos, not some I snuck, so I could see better.
I left San Marco after the tour and walked to the Rialto Bridge then on to San Polo where I went to find the artist studio in the fog but gave up because I was cold and wet. I found San Polo like a piece of cake this time, not like the other time when I came from the other side of the Campo. I had a snack for lunch while I waited for the shop to open and sat in the campo for a while. They have set up a temporary ice skating rink, so I was watching a few people skate, a nonna collecting ice from the side of the rink and giving it to some kids around 3 or 4 years old and they were making snow balls and throwing them at each other. Everyone in their group thought that was so cute, until it ended in tears, then there was a gabble of Italian spoken as the group disbursed.
By this time the shop should have been open so I went to check it out. Still closed. I tried to ring the phone number on the door, no answer. So I asked the shop next door if they knew if the shop would be opening today, she didn't know, so I asked the shop opposite. No, it won't be opening, because the woman is on holidays. After all that!
I left the hotel after breakfast and walked around to San Marco. I was there almost 1 1/2 hours early, it was a lovely morning, sunshine and not a sign of any 'mist'.
The Grand Canal in the sunshine
Lovely sunshine today
I watched kids feeding the pigeons (illegal, 500 euro fine) with food given to them by their parents then parents take photos with their kids covered in the birds thinking it's cute (imagine all the germs!!) then the kids chase the pigeons. Then I watched kids just chasing the pigeons. Then I watched kids and people trying to kick the birds. There were also people just ignoring the birds and leaving them to do bird things. I saw a couple of people trying to stop the kids. Not many though. It made me wonder if any research has been done on why people do this. Maybe there's a PHD in it for me to do some study!
Protectors of all things important
Plenty of room to walk around San Marco this time of year
I met the tour organisers at the designated time. I was the only person. They handed me my head set, I asked if I was the only person. No, I was to catch the group as they walked out of the Doge's Palace and join them. In the meantime I asked where is a rubbish bin to put the plastic bag my head set came in as I picked up a plastic bag off the ground. The guy didn't know so I went looking. There are no bins in San Marco piazza! I went back to the group and the girl told me there are no bins for security reasons and that I could hold on to the bag until I met up with the rest of the group, there was a bin there, so I did that. No bins in San Marco where thousands of people are every day.
I joined the group, we went into the basilica. It was quite lovely, mostly gold, some colour mosaics, but no photos allowed. I don't know why. I get why when there are frescos or paintings but not mosaics. The guide thought it might be because of copyright. Who knows.
Some of the photos I managed to sneak inside the Basilica -
all the gold and colour on the walls and ceiling is mosaic glass, the floor mosaic marble
I wasn't overwhelmed by the inside as I thought I would be. But I would have liked to have been able to take proper photos, not some I snuck, so I could see better.
I left San Marco after the tour and walked to the Rialto Bridge then on to San Polo where I went to find the artist studio in the fog but gave up because I was cold and wet. I found San Polo like a piece of cake this time, not like the other time when I came from the other side of the Campo. I had a snack for lunch while I waited for the shop to open and sat in the campo for a while. They have set up a temporary ice skating rink, so I was watching a few people skate, a nonna collecting ice from the side of the rink and giving it to some kids around 3 or 4 years old and they were making snow balls and throwing them at each other. Everyone in their group thought that was so cute, until it ended in tears, then there was a gabble of Italian spoken as the group disbursed.
Fun until someone ends up crying!
By this time the shop should have been open so I went to check it out. Still closed. I tried to ring the phone number on the door, no answer. So I asked the shop next door if they knew if the shop would be opening today, she didn't know, so I asked the shop opposite. No, it won't be opening, because the woman is on holidays. After all that!
One of Venice's old theatres has been converted into a supermarket of all things!
This one is a more specialised shop, not like COOP supermarkets that sell all kinds of crap!
The deli is in the stage area
Everything else is where the seats would have been
Venice street art
Sunset from my window - it was lovely to see the sunshine today
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