2 weeks in Italy

[ucb4ume]

I just returned from a two week tour of Italy and took many pictures. I thought I would share some of the boat related pictures.

These shots were taken on the Isle of Capri.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1102.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1104.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1105.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1106.jpg

[ucb4ume]

Of course, in Venice, there were boats every where.

The ubiquitous water taxies:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1197.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1200.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1203.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1210.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1211.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1299.jpg

[ucb4ume]

Boats everywhere for every purpose

Most deliveries are made by boat:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1312.jpg

Even the garbage is removed by boat:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1302.jpg

An ambulance coming down the Grand Canal

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1324.jpg

I guess this is how you get around when you live in Vinice.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/DSCN1322.jpg

And of course the Gondolas were everywhere.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/IMG_0551.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/Italy_trip_2008/IMG_0480.jpg

[TimH]

near the top of my list of places to visit.

[bamamick]

Must be at the top of many lists. I have had a daughter and no fewer than four good friends all visit this year alone. When I was younger I never thought that I'd want to visit Italy, but now I feel differently. I'd like to visit Florence and the Italian Alps and the lakes. It looks very beautiful from the photos I've seen.

Mickey Lake

[Lew Barrett]

I just love Northern Italy. What fun! I think it would be my first choice as a place to live in Europe. The ambulance driver was probably just going for lunch! Italy...gotta love the spirit of the place. Some real fine attitude there.

[willmarsh3]

I have been to Capri twice and Venice once when I was there. I'd love to go back. Nice pictures :)

[pcford]

Thanks! I understand that gondolas are asymmetrical to compensate for the gondolier standing off center. There was an American building gondolas in Venice. Don't know if he is still there. Gondoliers make over a 100k. More now that the dollar is in the toilet.

[Lew Barrett]

I think it's the thrust of a single oar that has defined the design over the years. If you look carefully you'll see that they are "arced" sort of like a banana which keeps them running straight. I've never taken a real ride in one, but have taken the gondola ferries at various crossing points across the canal. Go before it's gone. But not in July or August!

[The Bigfella]

I absolutely loved the driving experience in Italy - especially down South where you don't stop for red lights. My interpreter said that I'd make a good Italian driver, except that I didn't use the horn enough. My public servant colleague was speechless (at the driving). He left the country ASAP when he discovered that the person we were there to interview also owned the hotel in Sicily where we were staying and that there had recently been two people murdered in that hotel. His departure from the trip 10 days early meant that I had to find my own way back to Amsterdam for my flight home. I had a fabulous time travelling around Sicily by truck, up the coast in a car ferry to Genoa and on to Milan.

Mt Etna was erupting when we were there. Fabulous.

[paladin]

The design of the gondolas are interesting...the one oar has dictated an assymetrical hull design....

[24hacker]

If you are into architecture -history - you have to put Rome on your 'bucket list' - fantastic! Italy is full of colorful people - the food - I can just go on and on - My wife and I are going next summer - last time I was there, got to Rome from Germany, train workers strike. Had a EurRail pass - great way to get around.

[Antonio Majer]

Thanks! I understand that gondolas are asymmetrical to compensate for the gondolier standing off center. There was an American building gondolas in Venice. Don't know if he is still there.

http://www.gondolavenezia.it/history.asp?Pag=6
---
About the American boatbuilder in Venice, it seems he has closed down: Thom Price (http://veniceblog.typepad.com/veniceblog/2006/10/wither_thom_pri.html)
One wrote: "I passed by what used to be Squero Canaletto just two days ago and took a couple of photos. The shop now has the name Generali"
(BTW, Generali is an Italian insurance company)