Serenade...Med/Adriatic 'Honeymoon' cruise (a retrospective photo review!!)

[drummerdavebmth]

Enjoying your review - Great photos!

 

Thanks :)

[drummerdavebmth]

Wow, awesome pictures, thoroughly enjoyed them and thanks for posting. I've been to these ports so brings back some great memories!

 

I love that class of ship, perfect size. I'm on the Radiance March 2017 for Australia!

 

Thanks again!

 

Thanks for the kind words.....We loved the Radiance class too and would definitely sail on that class of ship again. :)

[drummerdavebmth]

When we got back to the ship, we went to the Windjammer for a spot of lunch before spending some quality pool/hot tub time (both the outside pool and the gorgeous Solarium - one of our favourite places!).

 

 

Here's a photo looking back up to where we had climbed in the morning (taken from the tender boat on the way back to the ship).

 

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[drummerdavebmth]

We also used this time to have a wander around the pool & top decks to take in the views and general vibe - I really loved being here (kept on having to pinch myself).

 

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[drummerdavebmth]

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[drummerdavebmth]

Of course we couldn't stay here forever (as beautiful as it was), so for sail away we headed to the Helipad and took in the views as we made our way through the Fjord back out to open sea....

 

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Edited April 7, 2016 by drummerdavebmth

[drummerdavebmth]

So now we were approaching 'Our Lady Of The Rocks'.......a church built on a man made island that was built on rocks...

 

From Wikipedia: According to legend, the islet was made over the centuries by local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding the icon of Madonna and Child on the rock in the sea[2] on July 22, 1452.[3] Upon returning from each successful voyage, they laid a rock in the Bay. Over time, the islet gradually emerged from the sea.[4] The custom of throwing rocks into the sea is alive even nowadays. Every year on the sunset of July 22, an event called fašinada in the local dialect, when local residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea, widening the surface of the island, takes place.[2]

 

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Jen is getting some good footage on her GoPro for our honeymoon cruise video!

 

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Nearly out at sea again...

 

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[drummerdavebmth]

What an amazing day we had just had in beautiful Kotor......and to think, for the next two days we'd be in Venice!!

 

Before that though, we had a lovely evening on the ship to look forward to - which started in Izumi (one of the speciality restaurants aboard Serenade..)

 

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I must confess I don't really do Sushi....but cooking meat on a hot stone? Oh, go on then!

 

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Edited April 7, 2016 by drummerdavebmth

[drummerdavebmth]

The first thing I did when I woke up the next morning was turn on the TV to see how far we were from Venice (we were due to arrive mid-morning, staying over night and departing tomorrow afternoon).

 

We're getting closer....

 

 

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I can promise you, these photo's don't really do justice to this sail-in! It's with no exaggeration when I say nothing can compare you to sailing into Venice...

 

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[drummerdavebmth]

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Meanwhile Jen was filming some quality footage for our video (which you can watch here

)

 

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[drummerdavebmth]

We were now approaching the port of Venice. Ahead of us was the Azamara Quest, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Equinox and, in the background, P&O's Ventura.

 

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With Jen in her element, reading a map, we were ready to explore!!! To be continued..........

 

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[drummerdavebmth]

A little exploring....

 

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[drummerdavebmth]

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[drummerdavebmth]

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[drummerdavebmth]

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I always find it interesting seeing the Police force in another country...

 

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[drummerdavebmth]

It was starting to get dark now, giving a whole different feel to this famous, historic city...

 

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[drummerdavebmth]

We decided it was now time for dinner and we opted to chose a restaurant by the Rialto Bridge. It was nice enough - but also very expensive!

 

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We had another night-cap drink before we finally went to bed, reflecting on an amazing day and very much looking forward to what tomorrow would bring!

 

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[Hoopster95]

Dave, I never noticed you but you and Jen must've been almost right beside me top deck during sail-in from the looks of the angle of the photos you took. Definitely the best angle to get those shots were the top starboard corner. I feel very sorry for those people in were too stubborn to get out of their balcony cabins to truly appreciate this sail-in.

[drummerdavebmth]

How's everyone enjoying the journey so far? :)

Edited April 7, 2016 by drummerdavebmth

[drummerdavebmth]

Absolutlely superb! I'm saving this photo, and a few others, if you don't mind my friend :D

Dave, I never noticed you but you and Jen must've been almost right beside me top deck during sail-in from the looks of the angle of the photos you took. Definitely the best angle to get those shots were the top starboard corner. I feel very sorry for those people in were too stubborn to get out of their balcony cabins to truly appreciate this sail-in.

 

Haha....be my guest! Glad you like it. Yeah, we certainly wanted to be out on top deck for the sail-in. What an experience, huh?

[drummerdavebmth]

The next morning we were up bright and early and off the ship shortly after breakfast. Whilst yesterday was all about exploring Venice, today we had a plan to visit the Doge's Palace and climb the Bell Tower for the views...

 

 

We took one of the many Vaporatto's (water buses) into the centre of Venice.

 

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And here's the Bus Stop (oops, I mean Vaporatto Stop)

 

 

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[drummerdavebmth]

Even the stairs leading into the Palace had impressive ceilings....

 

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[drummerdavebmth]

Next we moved onto the impressive armoury display chambers.....

 

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...And then into this impressive room. Now, just check out the size of this room (and the height of the ceiling). Jen and I did a little bit of GoPro filming for our video - just a little bit of us spinning around with the camera pointing up to the ceiling - and we got told off by a member of staff..."no filming" Opps!!

 

This room was often used for trials and the condemned were then taken straight from here to the dungeons after conviction. Meaning, for the Doge's enemies, it was the last room they would see before being taken across the 'Bridge Of Sighs' to an awaiting cell. Imagine being in a room full of so much wealth and opulence one minute, and then the next being thrown into a stinking cell....to await execution. A last powerful message from the Doge to traitors...."You could have shared in all this, but you chose to betray me.....and now you have lost everything".

 

 

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Nice views from the windows...

 

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Edited April 8, 2016 by drummerdavebmth

[drummerdavebmth]

Here's the view prisoners would see from the 'Bridge Of Sigh's' as they were escorted to their awaiting dungeon cell. The bridge got it's name because prisoners would let out a sigh has they glimpsed (for the last time), the outside world....You can really imagine how that must have felt. I wonder how many would have tried calling out to people below, before being told to shut up and move along by the guards escorting them?

 

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Many of the prisoners carved out their names and messages, which are still visible today (an almost tangible link to the past, some 600 years ago...).

 

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[drummerdavebmth]

When we came out of the Doge's Palace, we soon found ourselves in St Mark's Square again and queuing to get into the Bell Tower. They have a lift taking you up to the top, which is just as well as it's very high and it would've meant lots of steps!

 

 

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And now, the views.......Spectacular!!

 

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We could even spot our ship from up here...

 

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Edited April 8, 2016 by drummerdavebmth