IRELAND 2017 - Los Angeles to Shannon

Los Angeles International Airport to Shannon International Airport

Our trip began at LAX on Friday, July 7, 2017. We met our friend, Sally, at the United Airlines check-in counter. We checked in, checked our bags and not too long later, the first leg of our trip began.

 

Waiting for our turn on the tarmac created about a half hour delay.  Our connection time in Chicago was a little tight, but, we made it!

We're somewhere over the Midwest and getting closer to Chicago.

B7 was just a few gates away. Easy!

No time for restrooms or snacks but I was able to get 

a photo while standing in line to board.

We were flying east so it was "lights out" for most of the way to Shannon.

We slept a little but not much. 

We see GREEN and DAYLIGHT!

We're landing! It's about 7:00 am local time and look at all of that green!

It rains a lot in Ireland and it appears that's the kind of day we will have! 

Our first six days were organized by Sally through her time share. We will stay at their beautiful property and enjoy daily tours in the County Clare area in West Ireland. 

Yes, we are excited!

 

Our first shamrock sighting!

And, out the door to our coach!

We are here!

The Gondolas of Venezia

 The gondolas of Venezia are so photogenic! 

They just don't take a bad picture!

 

 

 I loved the mood here, gondoliers patiently waiting like a taxi lineup in any big city.

The young people are sitting and watching and waiting, too.

 

 

 These things are just beautiful whether they are gliding through a canal or moored in tight quarters.

 

 

 Gotta just love Venezia!

 

 

I do!

 

Venezia, Veneto, Italia

September 27, 2013

Venetian Carnevale Masks at the Piazza San Marco, Venezia, Veneto, Italia

 

 We have arrived at the Piazza San Marco and it's the masks that really grab my attention.

Photographing the Carnevale in Venice is high on my bucket list, but for now I will have to be satisfied with these gorgeous faces just being for sale!

 

 

There were so many more over the course of the next few days!

September 27, 2013

Venezia, Veneto, Italia - Our Arrival

 Just about everything I love about Venice I saw the first late afternoon and evening of this trip.

People on their balconies have interesting conversations.

Loved this one...so dramatic!

 

 

 Our first Venetian masks with so many more to come!

LOVE the masks!

 

 Another man enjoying his balcony view!

 

 

 Laundry...how we loved the laundry!

 

 

 

 

 And, it gets so much more colorful as time goes on!

 

 

 People love their dogs.

This king size doggy and man seem to be best friends.

 

 

 Little bridges and reflections are everywhere.

 

 

 People stroll and seem to enjoy everything they see.

 

 

 I love to find the things you don't expect to see, like this toilet in a boat!

Not much privacy here!

 

 

 The architecture and street lamps...wOw!

 

 

 ...yummy bakeries!

 

 

 We saw this man and his king sized dog again in another location.

The doggy is very patient with the man's cell phone usage!

 

 

It's getting dark and the beautiful 'blue hour' has come to enhance the beauty of this place!

Where shall we have dinner was the big question...there were so many choices.

We chose a simple but wonderful cafe with outside dining right alongside the Grand Canal...

perfect choice!

 

 

A moored gondola is all tucked in for the night which reminded us we needed some well deserved shut-eye too.

 

September 26, 2013



Venezia, Veneto, Italia - near the Santa Lucia Train Station

 We have arrived in Venezia!

We are tired but pumped with adrenaline to get out and explore for a little while.

It was a long trip from Los Angeles to Rome and then on to Venezia.

A gondola passes beneath the Ponte degli Scalzi (bridge) just as we looked over the edge...nice!

 

 

 Jerry doesn't look tired, he looks happy to be standing on this amazing bridge taking in the view.

It's the Ponte degli Scalzi which spans the Grand Canal and offers some of the best views in Venezia.

 

 

 It's a very popular and busy bridge with tourists and locals and those who have something for sale!

 

 

 We started our walk on the other side with no particular destination in mind.

We just walked and tried to keep track of where we were so we might get back at a decent hour.
After crossing the bridge we looked back and admired its beauty not realizing we would cross this bridge a dozen or more times during our stay in Venice.

 

 

This is the San Simeon Piccolo Church and it is the first view to visitors arriving by train.

It has a green oxidized dome and Neoclassical façade in a vague imitation to Rome's Pantheon.

The original church was built in the 9th century and this one was rebuilt in 1718-38.

It's been around for quite a while!

This church is actually rather unimportant as far as Venice churches go, but it is most people's first view of Venice!

 

September 26, 2013

Murano, Veneto, Italia

 My husband and I recently visited the sweet little Venetian island, Murano.

People in this part of the world love their window views!

 

 

 Like it's neighbor, Venezia, Murano has a Grand Canal, of sort.

There are cute homes, boats, laundry

 

 

...canals and bridges.

 

 

 very pretty bridges, all different.

 

 

 Murano is known for its glass making.

It seems they can make just about anything out of beautiful glass.

 

absolutely pure art!

 



 They don't seem to adorn their door with striped curtains like their closest neighbor, Burano.

 

 

We didn't spend a whole lot of time on this island because we had Burano on our mind and couldn't wait to get there.

But, this charming little Venetian place is well worth a visit!

Here, we were on our way to the vaporetto stop (ferry) just behind this gorgeous lighthouse.

Burano was just a twenty minute ride away.

Murano, Veneto, Italia

September 28, 2013