Friday, 21 November 2014

Travel Log: A Journey of Restoration (Day 14)

Previous Day (A Crowded Day at Venice)


Destination: France & Italy
Duration: 15 Days 15 Nights (Sep 02~Sep 17, 2014)

Day 14: Island Hopping in Venice (Murano, Burano & Torcello)

Today is a busy day for us as we have three islands to visit in one day. One of the cons of visiting those islands was the travel time from San Zaccaria Station – it just takes forever. The fastest time of course is by water taxi which cost a bomb thus we have no choice but to take the slow way.
On the way to Murano
It's a long long way - good for sightseeing i guess...
Start Seeing Colorful Houses
Our 1st destination was Murano and we took the 4.1 line water bus from San Zaccaria and stopped at the Murano Museo Station. The travel time lasted for around 1.5 hours but luckily we got a good seat behind the boat.
Almost there.. Look at this! The thousand bridges of Venice
Finally Step on Murano - the Glass Island
We visited the Glass Museum which housed lots of delicate glass items. The miniature glass garden at the 1st floor really was the highlight of the museum – it was just so detailed and so exquisitely made. The museum itself was quite small as some part was under renovation thus we continued on to Basilica di Santi Maria e Donato which was just beside the museum.
The Glass Museum
What to do on a Glass Island? Visit the Glass Museum of course!
Nice huh?
The Glass Rendition of Venetian Garden
Is that a Snail?!
They have Sculpture in Glass Museum too!
At the Courtyard of Glass Museum with Bell Tower at the back...
The Instrument to blow Glasses
The Basilica had those gorgeous golden byzantine mosaics which were partly being cleaned by workers. They were really putting a lot of efforts to brush and polish the mosaics. There were also this beautiful glass chandeliers and some sort of glass ‘well’ near the altar.
Here we are!!! In Front of the Bell Tower
The Beautiful Mosaic in Basilica
More Mosaic
The Glass 'well' near the Altar - for holy water???
The Altar
Glass Chandeliers in the Basilica
Basilica and Bell Tower
We then wandered into the shops along the river which took us much time as everything was just so pretty! There were glass pendants, glass bracelets and glass everything! We then walked to Faro Station to get on the waterbus line 12 to Burano.
Passing through Bridges to get to Faro Station
Got Distracted by Glass Artwork halfway through
Distracted by the View too!
We are easily Distracted!
You must admit this is exquisite, right!
Lighthouse near Faro Station
Our 1st impression of Burano? COLORFUL!!! It was really dazzling with all those bright clashing colors which made gorgeous pictures. 
Something Colorful Awaiting us from afar...
We were Stunned before we even set foot on Burano!
Every Street looks gorgeous!
Even a Random Small Lane looks Artistic!
Houses along the small Canal...
We were lost actually.. :p
It's like a Maze! Too bad we are not Maze Runner!
We had our lunch at Principe Ristorante Pizzeria and ordered their Squid Ink Pasta, Aglio Olio, Tiramisu and House White Wine. We loved all of that especially the Aglio olio until we literally dipped all the aglio olio oil with bread. YUM YUM!!!
The Restaurant
Securing an Outdoor Seat
Bread Basket
Tiramisu & House White Wine
Squid Ink Pasta
Aglio Olio
We then continued to walk around the little island and wondered at its marvel before reaching of Piazza Galuppi and found "la Casa di Bepi Suà" after some struggle with Google Map – which could not be trusted!!! Burano was definitely a gem among all the islands in Venice – my favourite gem! =)
Let's take more pictures!
This View is STUNNING!!!
In Front of Piazza Galuppi
Yet another Nice View with Sammy!!!
A Bypasser actually asks us to sit down to take this picture. :p
Even a Random Wall is Beautiful - did you notice the tower is leaning?
Inside the Church
The Leaning Tower of Burano
Can't get enough of the View
The Most Colorful House in Burano!
With heavy heart, we parted with Burano to get on Line 9/12 waterbus to Torcello which totally contrasted Burano. Torcello was the ‘old town’ and was once a glorious city larger than Venice itself. However, nothing much was left now except the gloriously mosaicked Byzantine church in the middle.
Let's continue to our next destination!
Once we got off the waterbus, we followed the coast along a narrow canal before reaching Ponte del Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge). According to the legend, the devil would appear as a black cat every night on 24th of December.
The Devil's Bridge which doesn't look sinister at all!
We then reached the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta and the Martyrium of Santa Fosca. There was also an ancient marble seat in the middle of the square which was supposed to be Throne of Attila, who was the king of Huns.
Walking along the Canal
One of the Towers in the Main Piazza
In front of the Museum
Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta
Inside the Basilica
Golden Wall
The DOME
Martyrium of Santa Fosca
The Throne of Attila!!!
Sammy wanna sit too!
The famous bell tower was unfortunately under restoration thus we skipped it. It was getting late by that time thus we had no choice but to take the waterbus to get back to San Zaccaria.
See the Tower at the back? It's under Restoration!
Lots of Greenery...
Going back to the main island
It's a long long ride
A House in the middle of nowhere!
Nothing much left of this house...
Speed boat!
Costa Hiding behind...
We wanted to get to the mart at P.Roma Station to grab some grocery as things in San Zaccaria and San Marco were extremely overpriced thus this time we took the line 2 waterbus for its speed between San Zaccaria and P.Roma.
At Piazza San Zaccaria
Let's go for another Ride...
San Marco Square and Doge's Palace
Yet another Classic Building
It's getting Dark
More old Building...
Another Church
Dazzling in the Dark
A Cruise or a Yacht?
Rialto Bridge again!
Main Canal at Night
After grocery, we got back to the San Marco Square for some night pictures before getting some pizza at a nearby pizzeria near our hotel before calling it a night. Let’s just say the Pizza not as good as expected but the Limoncella was definitely a killer liquor! =P 
Hard Rock at San Marco
San Marco Square at Night
San Marco Tower at Night
Let's have some Pizza!
Taste kind of meh...
Next Day (Wandering in Venice & Overnight in Paris CDG)

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