Venice, ETC.

Hello All, we are at sea, with lumpy or bumpy seas, as the Captain says, with fresh, very fresh wind!  That means white caps and some rolling around.  Not too bad right now, and no signs of sea sickness in anyone. 
We arrived in Venice about 1PM day before yesterday, and we took a boat ride around the area.  The boat did not go down the Grand Canal, so we missed out on that the first day, but we made up for it yesterday.  We were out on the bow for our arrival and we had Italian tenors singing along while we cruised slowly in with tugs fore and aft.  It was magical.  Then we went for our boat ride, learning about the area.  This is a fascinating city, and the first one I would like to visit for a week.  We had a good night and then got up to strike out on our own into Venice.  We jumped on the people mover to Piassi Roma, and then onto a vaporetto for the water trip down the Grand Canal.  It was raining off and on and cold, and St Mark's Square was flooded so we had to walk on the elevated sidewalks, and we missed the Cathedral because they were having mass in there.  Walking around and in and out of the narrow streets showed us fantastic high fashion clothes and jewelry.  After pizza for lunch, Jim and I headed back to the ship.  The rain was getting worse and we were cold; Janice and Mike went back to the square and got into the cathedral and said it was amazing.  That means we have to come back here!!  Today we meet the others on our Rome tour athe next Cruise Critic Meet and Greet.  Too much food, too many places but the two days at sea will let us catch up with rest and relax.  Tonight we go to the Crown Grill to celebrate the Connell's anniversary, 42 years.  Nice place to celebrate.  We are well and happy.  Best to all, the Whidbey Wagners.  P.S.  When we returned to the ship afdter our Venice tour, the entire boat was decorated for Christmas!