Today we travelled to Venice! Venice is a part of Italy that is made up of about 150 tiny islands all separated by tight canals and joined by little bridges. It's like a maze in there and as a result, very easy to get lost. Nevertheless, Venice is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Every turn of a corner reveals an even prettier scene with more colourful houses and greener waters. It was amazing! Unfortunately Venice is sinking at a rate of about 2mm or more a year and is predicted to be underwater by 2030. So anyone who is considering going - do it quick - and it is seriously a must see in Italy! In Venice we visited at marks square which is there patron saint. When st mark died his remains were kept in Egypt but the venetians stole them by wrapping them in pork meat and then buried them in Venice. In st marks square there are thousands of pigeons and its actually against the law to kick or harm them - which is actually really difficult because they literally walk under your feet as you walk. We then watched a lace making demonstration where I splurged by buying a large venetian lace throw which took 8 ladies and 40 days to make. It is beautiful - something to pass down to my own family one day. We then watched a murano glass blowing demonstration which was crazy! In about 3 minutes a man was able to shape a horse out of a red hot lump of glass. After that we got to ride a gondola around the canals for half an hour. The gondolier took us through tiny streets and bridges that they had to duck under and then out on the grand canal which is the main passage way. The only way to get anything onto the island is via boat so it was a little weird to see boats piled with beer and coke making their way into the city under the hot hot sun. Gross! The gondolier also told us that Venice receives more tourists in one day than their entire population. So every day in Venice the population doubles and during their famous Carnival festival it more than triples! Then after our gondola anchored, we all had a chance to explore, so a couple of us went and had lunch in a restaurant and then walked through the markets. We then caught a ferry back to the mainland. Back at the hostel the bar was hosting a pool party, but suffering from a bit of heat stroke I only stayed out until about 11pm and then went to sleep.