Day 9: Venice. Saving tips... To UK

Somewhere in Venice
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We started our day by taking a water bus at the first stop nearby train station for a Grand Canal tour for 6 euro per person.  We sat in the front row of the boat, the whole Grand canal scenery appeared wide open before us.  Sunny day.  The glittering water beatified the murky water of Grand Canal quite a bit.  The waves created by the passing motorboats definitely make the rowing much harder for gondoliers.   Quite frankly, 80 euro for a 45-minute gondola ride is NOT truly that expensive considered the physical work involved to row in Grand canal filled with motorboats.  But if a six-dollar water bus ride can do the same thing, a practical person that I am, I will pay the cheaper one.

Rialto Bridge
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We got off at St. Mark square.  We then walked to Jewish Ghetto.  The first time in our 8 day trip that we truly enjoyed some quietness.  We saw some Orthodox Jewish, both old and young.  My niece found Jewish men to be good looking.  I simply commented that they are a very unique race, chosen by God.  With our similar background and upbringing, I know she has zero knowledge of the Jewish heritage and historical background.  We found small and big fishes swimming leisurely in the canal underneath the stationary boats.  I could not find the synagoge as mentioned in the map.  Walked away disappointedly.

Wear your smiley face when asking for help.

Jewish Ghetto.
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We then started our window shopping again...  I believe this is the first time ever in my life that I spent so much time in window shopping.  But with no regret, for those things I saw in Venice might not be seen somewhere else.  For example, the carnival masks, the glassy decorative animals, and the jewelry..

Quite frankly, toward the end of the day.. we both were very looking forward to going back to UK and to USA.  First time in my life I found some excitement to go back to work.  Yes, I do enjoy my new job.....

Campo Dei Frari... It truly tied to Marco Polo's trip to China.. there are about 100 pictures posted in the hall way of Chinese people in old days. Can't read the Italian description...
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Lessons learned: Share with you my saving tips.....

Saving tips in Italy:

1. From Ciampino airport to Rome: Get the bus ticket at the arrival hall for 1.25 euro to Anagnino (metro). From Anagnino, get a metro ticket for 1 euro to Termini Station, Rome.

2. By all means, use Italia regional train instead of EuroStar. It is a lot cheaper with maybe 1 hour longer travel time. If travel with family, remember to ask the agent to get you family rate, usually 20% less than the standard rate. Unless you travel during peak season, the advanced train reservation in USA from italiarail.com does cost more.

Jewish Ghetto, one of my favorite areas in Venice... very quiet.
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3. Buy leather products, ties, and scarfs (100% cashmere) in Florence, but carnival masks and glassy jewelry in Venice.

4. Fruits and bottled water. Get them from the grocery stores instead of from kiosks on the streets. I paid my peach and banana for 4.99 euro per kg at a kiosk in Rome. A couple blocks away in a store, the price dropped to 2 euro per kg. The same with bottled water. 1.25 euro for 512ML at a kiosk and 0.25 euro at a grocery store.  At the store you can unpack the 6-bottle package mineral water and purchase only  one or two instead of six..

Jewish Ghetto. Though somewhat barren, there stationed two armed policemen.. ???
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5. Postcards. Get them from kiosks or stores at least a couple blocks away from the main tourist spot.

6. Cover charge: Some restaurants charge its customer for cover charge. In my encounter, it was 2 euro per person. Besure you ask the waitress/waitor at the door, unless you don't mind about it. Some restaurants pose sign about it at the door.

7. Don't let the language barrier be an issue for you. Wear your smiley face when asking for help. The barrier is only as inconvenient as you make it.

Jewish Ghetto... Pay attention to the hanging clothes in the picture.
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Safety issue:

1.  Avoid metro during rush hour.  Hold on to  your money pouch (if it is not tucked inside your shirt) and have your backpack on the front.