![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOXtqYHt9gWPkMAHKL1pfLELeFp63WU3WrLLqnhzYZTx73CyO0sBGUk2LXjcfP0MNAqbbyWJ14pFmlkJxAh-266RJQSQGs8HPsECTdEtR2QmWYdbzcrya3IlCsIlAmNDbm3oMjpkB1wY/s320/before+regata.jpg)
So after a lovely morning exploring St. Mark's Square and Murano glass, David and I were looking forward to a relaxing afternoon. We were very lucky...we happened to be in Venice the day of the
Regata Storica. Also....we were staying in a hotel right next to the Rialto bridge...with a balcony...where we could watch the whole thing! The first picture shows the Grand Canal as we approached the first part of the program - the parade.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7nU0XHyF6QF1kuYVbp_ExK3Z5eVsVp8_HeDUJ1MRTpRFUnGqBbXQvklVGLVw-nYTkosrM3QkMxi_O4NQ7cyQ3K3LICENGwz4H_WE7qUkL8Jpi1EEKa12BWYYVYanKr_s00p8sYpntRA/s320/the+busy+grand+canal.jpg)
This is a picture of what the canal usually looks like - LOTS of boats! Motorized and otherwise - all driven by men who never go less than 30MPH on the water - including while they are parking! They speed into a dock space then slam it in reverse. And they cut each other off like maniacs! I thought it was crazy...of course, that ended up being mild once I experienced a cab ride in Rome...but more on that later!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjUejs-lpLQeDlGuF1Mox79cFd5EDxdMMuss620VNN_eCuhMJdqiO9wWPsaHgpiT2qWVebNF8cEWyoWqjKAYjBQv3mnBDQq1IOQQfBtXszHnzrN1LDrodMHX3FGl9NGcoXGOYjUtxROc/s320/blue+team+orange+boat.jpg)
So as the parade and race was getting under way, we saw many of the teams warming up - here is a team in blue shirts and an orange boat - I loved the colors!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCa-QTxLRzsvc77yK34JBMQM7X3CaV-m0l4jmO2MvV64dD7w8lCbB7jIMpz0L_18TQ49E5AtDrusLNOJwlSLVsfIkUIP0njz156r_lNWNdc_c5Ky7V_ePiot7Li8z4OAPWNrjgyck8q5c/s320/rialto+bride+with+crowd.jpg)
Here is a shot of the Rialto bridge as the crowds began to gather. I felt so awful for all of the spectators who perched atop the bridge to watch - as the race got started, the cops removed everyone from the bridge! The streets became very crowded.
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As the afternoon went on many spectators appeared in the windows up and down the canal...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvD5IOcNM-QnQPNqf9hAuO5Hf5exGShnI9VB5TM7NYkGb7MzGaMvGYBoe_zplp61nzjziuhska-KPpoa9SrpIeX_b3s_ZYVHMLH0nEUf-pck2k81Ah0UX6beN1P4JAY5qU1xw3bwK90U/s320/our+balcony.jpg)
Here is our group watching from our perch. I think we ended up spending 7 hours eating, drinking, reading, watching and talking! It was a lovely afternoon.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoA5IF7xa4_ID60z0elDv0AlVzPKTqmWUhWfOWIF0OU-KawmYHFFgeJRtTlQuuQ395wzC96F6iqk75K84uMT_fjfIYbn8gyw2CMGNHKIbNQO6TKr4pSxe5vQCY1WuzOW6lFNqIrKtOL4/s320/parade+1+venice+regata.jpg)
The parade was wonderful - all of the teams participated as well as several boats in a "pageantry" style - lots of colorful costumes, as if they were royalty from long ago arriving in Venice.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kfG7cqEH65DEJBz8Xb0dyi-7FD9BWGzWwcoF2pCcoFozP3CUsrWZeqDot9JQVhKu10oG4ovZjYpkMysxW0UyqczlK8e91WGSD7BxQDW-26L1MFmzWndd-QnweuSEOr0sbwOcXSL0Wa8/s320/parade+3+venice+regata.jpg)
More parade shots...
I do have a couple of sketches to add - I'll post those later!
3 comments:
Lovely,just lovely! :>
great photos, wonderful compositions & colors
What amazing shots you got! I'm completely envious of your trip, by the way. =)
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