Gondaleers

Gondalers are a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian Lagoon. Gondolas were for centuries the chief means of transportation within Venice and still have a role in public transport, serving as traghetti (ferries) over the Grand Canal. They are also used in special Regattas (rowing races) held amongst gondoliers. Their primary role, however, is to carry tourists on rides at established prices. These 'established' prices were, I'm afraid beyond our means at 195 Euro for an hour, we figured our money would be better spend on fabulous dinners during our time in Venice. Speaking of dining in Venice, whilst we were there I had some great seafood pasta, the prawns were really fresh and delicious. Hubby ordered some tomato pasta dish with which he was less than impressed, it appeared that they'd just poured tomato puree over cooked spaghetti - what a shame. It's strange how from the same restaurant and the same chef you can get such a variance in quality.

Venice

Venician Street Scene

Venice

Venice

Another random stranger in Venice

Venician Concrete Wall Tile

Coptic Cuddlers - The Four Tetrarchs

The Four Tetrarchs
As the Roman Empire began the process of disintegration, Emperor Diocletian imposed a new Imperial office structure: a four co-emperor ruling plan called The Tetrarchy. This porphyry statue represents the inter-dependence of the four rulers. It was taken from Constantinople, during the Fourth Crusade in 1204, and set into the south-west corner of the basilica at the level of the Piazza San Marco. The missing foot of one of the figures was discovered in Istanbul in the 1960s, where it is still on display.