There were a few minutes at dusk when the sky cleared and the last light streaming along the canal was phenomenal. I just happened to be at the right moment in time when this young guy and his girlfriend came gliding out of this canal. We were in the stern of the Vaporetto with a full view of the passing Grand Canal that is the main artery through Venice.

The Vaporetto's are used like city buses/subways, in Venice(there are no roads/no rolling vehicles-none, not even bicycles!). Dozens of these 60 or so foot heavy metal ferries carry up to about a 100 people to and from stops along the miles of canals and islands.

You get a ticket (swipe type) for several days (cheap! Everything is cheap here if you know where to go - this is our second time). The vaporettos make it easy to get around. At least on the water...

Once you're off the canal, I become pretty much lost, within minutes. Paper maps are futile(too many roads and canals to fit a foldable maps scale). Using maps on your cell phone is better but still, it's tough to find your way in the catacombs and canals. We expect that though and don't do many targets or schedules while there.

Fascinating place for a sailor with everything running by water and foot. Plus the ancient buildings are too much to believe.