Day 21 - Arrividerci Venezia & arrividerci Italia!

Our last day in Venice was a hurried affair. Breakfast, then last minute packing and check of the rooms before winding our way through the Venice streets one last time. We boarded the last vaporetto of the trip, a crowded ride that took us down the Grand Canal and to Piazzale Roma, the only carpark in Venice.

Leaving the hotel

On the vaporetto bound for Piazzale Roma

Venice is like a dream, and like all dreams, one that has to come to an end. When we stepped off the vaporetto and saw buses and cars, the dreamy city of snaking canals, twisted streets and spindly bridges faded like rain on hot rocks. We were back in reality. So much so, that on the bus the boys who had been begging for just one more day in Venice suddenly said, "I'm ready to go home."

And the long journey home had started.

The bus took us along the bridge that crosses the lagoon of Venice and connects it to the mainland. We drove through the ordinariness of the town of Mestre bound for Marco Polo International Airport.

The bus ride begins. Jai sleeping. Again.

At the airport we started the interminable waiting associated with travel, eating lunch, lounging around and doing some last minute shopping.

Checking in at Marco Polo International Airport

Waiting to board Emirates Flight EK136 to Dubai

As I write they have just called for boarding for EK136, the flight to Dubai, starting the next phase of the journey home.

Arrividerci, Italia!