Along The Grand Canal

  

taken along the Venice Grand Canal

When we were at Venice, we didn't take the gondola ride with the gondolier and all. Instead we rented a water taxi who took us around. Imagine living in a place where there are no cars, only boats! I wonder how many people a year fall into the canal by accident?

Venice From Above

taken from the San Marco Clocktower in Venice

On our 2nd to the last day in Venice, we went up the San Marco Clocktower to admire the beautiful 360 degree view of the city. Venice is not a very big place, my family and I were able to walk around the entire city in a day but not without our feet suffering though hehe.

Up in the clocktower, there's a huge bell that rings every hour and just our luck, we were in line for the elevator to go down right at 12nn. We were right below the bell when it started ringing! It was a deafening but fun experience. That bell has been ringing on the hour for years!

Later that day, we fed the pigeons in Piazza San Marco (that plaza you see in the photo above) which was the highlight of the Venice leg of the trip for me. There were pigeons flocking to us and they were on our heads, arms, EVERYWHERE! I think those pigeons are so used to people feeding them that they aren't afraid to eat from our hands. Definitely two things you should do when you go to Venice!

Skywatch Friday #1

taken from my office window in Makati along Ayala Ave.

One of my favorite things about my office is the view. We're on the 34th floor and no other building blocks our view so everyday I am lucky enough to watch the sun go down over Manila Bay. I consider this one of my daily cheap thrills!

See other skies here!

Fontana De Trevi

taken at Fontana De Trevi in Rome

The Trevi Fountain was one of the spots in Rome I was looking forward to visiting. Its come out in soooo many movies and I wanted to see it up close and personal. The Trevi Fountain was bigger and more majestic than I expected!

Of course, I didn't miss the chance to throw coins in the fountain and make a wish. Apparently, you need to throw three coins over your shoulder using your right hand. I did a little research and the coins collected from the fountain is used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy. They collect an average of 3000 euros a day! That's a lot of wishes!

Church On A Hill

taken in Monteriggioni

Out of all the churches I saw in Italy, this one was my favorite. Not St. Peter's Basilica, not the Sistine Chapel, but this church found on the hilltop town of Monteriggioni. All of the other churches I saw were decorated to the nines with statues, mosaic ceilings, gold-leafed decor, and tiled floors but in it's simplicity, this Romanesque church was the most beautiful.

The beautiful little town of Monteriggioni is one of the few preserved Medieval hilltop towns in Tuscany. Would you believe that to date, the town's population is 70? That includes a mayor! My office has more people than that! Back in the day, Monteriggioni was a fort during the years of conflict between Sienna and Florence. Today, it attracts many tourists thanks to how well it has preserved the structures and walls inside. Monteriggioni is a must see when you go to Tuscany!