Two towns, nearly three

The last few days have been fantastic. I have had the opportunity to experience my Italian dream: Venice, and it sure was worth waiting for! The canals were just like I had imagined them all those years ago with Mr Miccuci in Italian at Sunvale... they really don't have roads!! We got to catch a water taxi around venice, and they have stops like stations on the canals.
Where we were staying in Venice was actually pretty cute. Kudos to Tanya who booked most of the accommodation, and I was so enchanted with where we stayed in Venice. It was basically someone's Venetian home (hmm... no Venetian biscuits there. How disappointing!) and they had set it up as a B&B. We had a cozy little room and it suited us well.
Venice was very lively. So many tourists, and so many references to Cammedia Dell'Arte characters (which I loved studying at school) and so much to see. I was a bit sad that we only had one night there, next to Siena, Venice was definitely my favourite place I went to in Italy. It
was just so different to anything you have the opportunity to see at home. And like the reports have said, you can see that it is an entire city that is slowly sinking. I always expected the canals to be smelly, and I actually was suprised at how clean they look! As much as it would have been nice to take a gondola ride, they are hugely expensive, and i was happy just perched on a water bus travelling around the canals. I think perhaps my sea legs may not have extended to a gondola ride, as extravagent as they are!
Two nights ago we headed for a full big day of travel: water bus to a bus stop in Venice, Bus from Venice to Treviso airport, Plane from treviso to Prague and then the transport dilemma of navigating relatively blindly through Prague to find our way out to the south of the Czech Rep to Cesky Krumlov. Suprisingly we managed without a word of Czech between us, and weren't too put off from the rude airport staff. We hopped 2 trains out into the middle of nowhere and ended up here in C. Krumlov. A place that feels like an diasporic Fitzroy. So many Australians here, and our hostel is run by Aussies, but oh my goodness. This place is paradise. It has been the first place we've needed jumpers for warmth, but nestled in the mountains near the Austrian and German borders, this place is like a little fairytale hamlet. It even has a castle with Bears in the moat! While we've been here we've been staying in a lovely loft room and have had a chance to have some quiet time, as well as getting out and checking out the town, which I aptly described as 'Daylesford on Medieval Speed'. It is full on little artist colony with cobbled streets and a fantastic vegetarian restaurant. My body is thanking me for nutritious food and I am feeling a little better for some quiet time.

We are heading back to Prague today and our train leaves in less than an hour so I can't stay for ages. I will try to post soon. One night in prague (tonight) and then it's off to Amsterdam for 4 nights. Yay!

I am having a great time and seeing some fantastic things. Tanya has been lovely and is letting me use her second camera, so here are a few choice pics for you all. I am so glad I decided to come away, but I am missing home and missing you all.
xx



Tanya about to hop on the train to Venice. A nice Eurostar train with air con and the whole bit. And little Harry Potter compartments too!



This is me. I'm only cursing a little bit that sleeping bag I brought but haven't had need for. I will need some serious massage at home. Anyone offering??


Venice by night. Not a special bridge or anything. The whole city looks like this. It was magic.

A typical canal with Gondola and water taxis in the background. They are not unlike Sydney ferries.

Mr Gondola. I made the mistake of almost stepping out in a stripey top ... we may have been mistaken for siblings!


Cesky Krumlov by night. This is just a church... and it is stunning.









This is the Cesky castle in the background. Oh my I love this place. I so want to come back.
This is the train we came on... and i will be on it again in about half an hour.

So love to you all.

oxoxox