Day 3: To Murano, Burano & Rehearsal Dinner

The folks are arriving and the action is quickening. Today was a hot tourist day, but fun.

A large group met up at Hotel Bauer and a guide took us to a dock for a ride out to Murano Island.

The group on the move

Before making it to the boat, we walked through Piazza San Marco (known in English as St. Mark's Square), which is the principal public square in Venice.

St. Mark's Campanile

St. Mark's Basilica

Side wall of the Doge's Palace

It was very hot, so we were glad to make it to the boat, with air conditioning.

Sweet relief...

It was a beautiful 20 minute boat ride to Murano Island. It is actually a series of seven islands in the Venetian Lagoon. It is known worldwide for the art of glass blowing. We immediately went into a studio to watch a master glassblower and his assistant make drinking cups. Our guide explained that, in the 1300's, the president of Venice bestowed upon various families the exclusive license to make specific types of glass products, but only those products. The family we observed has had permission to make cups and vases since 1385. The glass blowers must come from this family -- no outsiders allowed. To become a master glass blower, the person must spend 5 years as a grunt, working principally at night to keep things prepared for the next day. Then, the person spends 10 years as an assistant to the master glass blower. Then, the person is eligible to become a master. In watching this family work, it is clear that the master is incredible. But, the assistant wasn't so bad either. Their work is mesmerizing.

Assistant in blue. Master in gray.

Master adding colors to the glass

Finished cup

The most impressive part was the assistant hand shaping a horse.

From a glowing blob...

Are those legs? That's pretty neat

You've got to be kidding...

Dude has skills.

I wanna buy it...

The group shopped in Murano, found some food and drink, and went on to a second island, Burano Island. It's another island in the Venetian Lagoon. It specializes in lace and clothing. The town is quaint, with brightly colored homes.

Ummm, better straighten that out...

After an hour of shopping and refreshments, the boat brought us back to busy Venice.

Most folks went back to the hotel for an afternoon siesta to rest up for the rehearsal dinner. After a short rest, we welcomed Brian and Jennifer Lee to the party with a drink on Hotel Bauer's rooftop bar. Quite a spectacular view:

We met up with the entire group for dinner and walked over to the Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal restaurant. We probably didn't class the place up, but the group was merry. The view of the Grand Canal is incredible and the service and food was top quality. We lost track of the number of courses...

Newly engaged, Audrey and Robert!!!!

Audrey getting some marriage advice...

As the pictures show, our dinner was long -- over 3 hours -- as the sky gets dark. The temperature was perfect. The highlight of the evening was Spencer's sweet words in his toast to Eric and Michelle.