4 December 2016: The journey Home (Photo Blog)

The blog of this day's events is made up of photos and, I hope, helpful captions.

Timbo said there is an expression, a picture can paint a thousand words. I want these to paint thousands for you.

They bring back happy memories for me, and I am only a young Bärli. It makes me wonder how many memories Timbo has. I know I made the right decision to choose him as my human. If you want to now more about Timbo or me, please let me know.

Lots of love and Bärli hugs,

Iain

Me in the Piazza San Marco. It is brilliant.

Our nice taxi driver let me sit up here.
Grazie, Luca!

The Grand Canal really is grand.
Here they call it the Canale Grande.
That sounds better and grander.

Luca also let me sit on the canvas cover he has to keep him sheltered.

I am in tour guide mode here. I was telling Timbo:
"Ahead of us is the Ponte Rialto,
made famous in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice",
and the boat you see approaching is one of the the Alilaguna services
which run between Venice and the airport,
named after a very famous Venetian who travelled as far as China.
His name was Marco Polo.
..."

I think I made the little girl on the left hand side of the vaporetto happy.
I am so glad us bears make you humans smile and be happy, if only for a few moments.

"... and coming up on the left hand side is the famous Pescaria,
once only an open air fish market, but is now used for fruit and veg.
The most famous part is the covered two storey building ahead..."

"... and now on the right hand side is the Ca' d'Oro,
so called because once it was partly covered in gilding."

We are now in open waters and can travel much
faster than in the main built up area of Venice.

Look at the wake of the other taxi.
It makes the journey bumpy, and fun!

Here is another Alilaguna service.
It is cheaper and slower than a taxi.
And lots less fun.

Timbo started singing gently to me:
"Up in the air, sky high, sky high".
It is from "Iolanthe" by Gilbert and Sullivan.
I am getting to know it.

Another sneaky one of me looking out.
Naughty Timbo!

This is one reason why Timbo loves to fly this route.
He says it never is the same.
There is always something new to see and be amazed by.

This is the second reason why Timbo loves to fly this route...

... and this is the third reason ...

... the fourth ...

... the fifth ...

... and sixth.
There were many many many more reasons,
but Timbo cannot spend all his life editing photos for my blog.
On second thoughts...

3 December 2016: Day 4, My Last Full Day

Last night, after I posted my blog I managed to get a photo of me and the nice man Jacopo who is one of the lovely Venice people who work in Imagina. 

I think I make Jacapo look handsome

Today I had my same special holiday breakfast. If I had it every day of my life it would not be special. I have one more morning in Venice, so only one more special breakfast. I will be sad to leave, but I will be happy when I come back again. I have so many lovely new friends here.

Today Timbo took me back to his secret special place and showed me more of it. 

Before we got there he pointed out something special about the church of San Trovaso (another strange and special short two Venetian words for five: San Protasio e San Gervasio). It has two main entrances. This happened as two groups of humans did not like each other, hated each other in fact. Well, what do you expect from the most silly humans? This church is on the border of what each set thought was their territory. This meant one lot could walk in and out of one door. So you can guess what the other lot would do! These people were called the Nicolotti and the Castellani.

They hated each other so much they had special bridges where they were allowed to fight each other. These bridges have the name of Ponte dei pugni (one of those is near to Imagina, our favourite place to rest and eat). Timbo pointed out to me that boxing is also called pugilism and there is an English word pugnacious and these words are all related. My human knows a lot of things.

Again we walked down narrow streets which not many people used. They all walked along the bigger streets. Today there were suddenly more people in Venice. Timbo said it is the weekend, and this is when working people relax. I do not understand how they relax. They are running around at very fast speed. They are not looking at the City, just at themselves on both ends of a selfie stick taking a photo of them and a canal. Timbo says the building in front of them could have been the home of a very important Venetian, or there is a special history, or even a made up story about it and the have no idea that could be the case.

We saw some interesting things on our walk. Here are some of my pictures.

This man was learning to gondola.

Fire fighters also travel by water.
Like the road firefighters, lots fit into one boat.
I counted six quickly, but may have been more.
They are called Vigili del fuoco here.

I do not think I want to be a delivery bear in Venice.

By following the special walks book we found a wellhead that is unusual and not like any of the others I have seen. I think that is interesting and special and good to see.

This is:
"an unusual octagonal well head carved with typical 16th century rustication".

We shared lunch today. Soup and lasagne. Not together. We were together. The courses were not. I think that has cleared it up.

Soup

Lasagne. It was second days too.

After lunch we went for a little walk to Santa Maria della Salute. It is a big church. It was built to say thank you for saving Venice from one of the many plagues that used to happen in olden days. Back then you would build a church to say thank you. I suppose it was like Swiss giving chocolate to the passengers.

This is just above the side door where you go in on ordinary days.

One of Timbo's favourites.
It looks like a window.
It is a mirror.

Tomorrow is a sad day as we go home. But it is a happy day as I might get some more Swiss chocolate!

Time for supper and to say bye-bye to Stefano and Jacapo. I am sad to leave my new friends, but I hope to see them soon and give them more cuddles.

30 November 2016: Venice Day 1

We both woke up for a few hours in the night, but as I cuddled Timbo more he managed to get to sleep. When we woke up again it was time to get our skates on. Timbo is not always at his best first thing in the morning so he nearly put on my skates. I must remember to dash for the skates when needed.

We had a lovely breakfast. Timbo was so happy when they offered him scrambled egg and bacon. It is a treat he has when on his holidays. The very nice ladies doing the breakfast also gave him freshly peeled and sliced banana and kiwi fruit. He loves these both a lot. They are delicious eaten alone, but together they make my Bärli chops moisten at the thought. I think these Venetian people are very clever and very perceptive. They must know I am staying here.

Timbo and I went out for a long walk. We were not doing anything specific, he loved showing me around and telling me about all the times he had been here before. He really likes Venice a lot. I sometimes think he wishes he could have lived his life here.

This is high tide. Acqua Alta is when it gets higher. Sometimes much higher.

This is a squero. A special Venetian word for a boatyard where they make and repair gondolas.

A long narrow street that
goes all the way to a canal.

Well we walked in streets with lots of people then suddenly Timbo took me down into narrow streets with nobody in them. We wiggled around here and there. I was sure we were going round in circles or he was lost but he kept telling me more about Venice and the streets we were in, then out we would pop into a big street again and he would show me something new and tell me all about it.

Then he said, it was lunchtime! I knew what this meant. We went down more deserted streets, followed twists and turns until we got to Imagina again. How he knows all these funny little streets I will never know. I am going to have to learn them too so I can help him find the way if he gets confused. He is not as young as me. He has so much more knowledge to remember. Perhaps I could be extra knowledge for him when he needs it.

Lots of laughs and I met Domenico again and a nice lady called Ramona. Timbo said she once had all her hair blue and she looked really amazing and beautiful. I must fund the photograph he took of her since he cannot remember where it is. See how he needs extra knowledge! We also met a very special lady called Karen who also write s blog. She came all the way across the ocean from America to live in Venice. Timbo thinks she and her husband Mike, who also sounds a really fabulous person, are amazing people and he said people like that give him a lot of strength to carry on with life. I love Karen. She gave me a kiss. I hope Mike will not be jealous and get angry.

Ramona

Karen

Bärli likes Ramona: Five paws  
Bärli likes Karen: Five paws 
 
Timbo went out walking in the late afternoon hoping to find certain things, or at least some inspiration. He has not told me what he is looking for. I want to help and keep my eyes open for him. As we were walking around he told me about the parts of Venice we were walking through and some stories.

After we went back to the hotel to warm up and let Timbo do some important things we went on a walk in the opposite direction. We went over the Academia bridge close to the sunset and I saw one of Timbo’s favourite places from there. Santa Maria della Salute. It did look wonderful.

So off we went to Campo Santo Stefano (but the Venetians call it Campo San Stefano) and we went inside the church. There is a special small space inside the church dedicated to Santo Stefano, or Saint Stephen. Timbo explained he does not believe in the God stuff like some people, but he came here to light a candle in memory of a very special friend. His best friend who is now dead. He was talking quietly to his friend too. I hope I can be a as good a friend to Timbo.

He then pointed out a stone slab where a man is buried. This man used to write music and it was famous and he did all kinds of clever things. Like making it sound like an echo of music happening inside the Basilica of San Marco and he made it sound loud then quiet. Timbo explained he probably was not the first person to do it but he made doing it famous in the world because he was so good. His I think I might listen and see if I like his music. Timbo is wise about music, so he is probably right.

We walked through the streets and Timbo is so full of facts. For example, how many of you know that Venice was once full of theatres? The most famous theatre in Venice is called La Fenice. It means The Phoenix. It is not the most auspicious of names since it has burned down and been rebuilt three times. Another theatre was once not that far away from there. Nothing remains, but Timbo told me it is interesting to find where these places like this used to be. It is near where many posh shops are and down a little alleyway. The alleyway has the name of the theatre. There is a plaque commemorating the theatre. He told me if we have time we will find the place. 

Timbo loves this special coloured glass in the gate to the Peggy Guggenheim museum.

Santa Maria della Salute in the late evening sun.

Timbo says this shop is sometimes ruder than this.

Timbo could not find what he wanted to buy and still did not tell me what it was. I think it is a human secret he has. I hope he will tell me soon. I said I was hungry and we stopped at a small restaurant. Timbo said it did not look like it would set the world on fire (what a strange thing to say) but it should be fine. We went in and Timbo ordered us Polenta e schie followed by a pizza quattro formagi. Which is the clever and proper Italian way of saying a yellow thing with prawns followed by a pizza with four different cheeses melted on it. Timbo had a small chat with two ladies next to us. He was really nice to them. He told them of some things he liked which might be nice for them to do. I Hhope they get the chance to have a wonderful time.

Then we went back to Imagina for a nightcap. I already knew Timbo loves a drink called amaretto, and he likes to have it in Italy as that is where it comes from. I think that is nice. He also had a naughty piece of tiramisù. He does like his puds!

We got back to the hotel and Timbo was really tired, and so was I. I think he was more tired from the wine at lunch time and the amaretto just now.

He spent time chatting with his brother, and I would like to meet him too. I think he must be almost as brilliant as Timbo.

I need to start the blog for today, but I have only finished the one from yesterday. This blog stuff is hard work.

01 December 2016: A short blog but brilliant Timbo photos.

This is a shorter blog. I realise I am making a lot of work for myself and Timbo. I want to tell you as much as I can but I also need to make life easier so I can see lots of things to tell you about. You have no idea how difficult it is to be a busy bear.

We had another brilliant breakfast. I like it here. Lots of fruit and pastries and eggs and a special thin Italian bacon. It keeps my bear tummy full and happy.

After breakfast Timbo was texting with friends and his brother. He is a busy human. Then we went out walking again. He continued his hunt for things and like yesterday, he showed me secret streets hardly anybody goes in and stories about them. Timbo took me to see the theatre that is now no longer there. You need to know it is there to find it. I was so pleased he chose to show me this, because I understand he shows me things that are important or special for him.

Well, today he went in a shop and kept me distracted while he spent some money. I think this is a surprise I am supposed to know nothing about. He cannot pull the fur over my eyes.

I saw the big Piazza San Marco. It is huge. Timbo’s mother and aunt came here in 1951. I have seen a photo of his aunt here in the Piazza San Marco. It was warmer weather, she was not all wrapped up like people are.

It was time to go back to Imagina, this time to meet Timbo’s friend Stefano. He has just come back from a holiday in Iceland. That sounds too cold for me, but Stefano loved it, so I guess it cannot be that bad.

After lunch, Timbo was very tired and we went back to the hotel so he could have a little nap. While he was doing that I have been writing up my blog. I need him to help me with the photos before I post them, but that will have to wait until after supper, and you will never guess where that is going to be. I bet you cannot imagine where!

Here are the pictures, and I am dedicating this blog to Timbo's lovely best friend Jennie as I am not there to give her a hug.
 

This is what you get to see things if you do not follow the crowd.

An ordinary street corner?

Not ordinary (except for Venice) when you look close at the pillar.

These are called passerelle.
They let you walk on water when there is acqua alta.

Timbo does arty things

Lots of arty things

This is his very, veryest, arty thing called a joiner.
This is where that theatre used to be.
The Calle and Corte del Teatro San Moisè.

29 November 2016. Our Journey Over The Alps To Venice

29/11/16 Iain's blog

Today the morning has been taken up with breakfast, finishing the packing then getting to the airport at a gentle pace.

I insisted with Timbo when we got to the Hauptbahnof we should wait a little longer for a train, because the train at platform 6 was the IR Zug coming from Luzern and going to Zürich Flughafen. It seemed right and proper to wait for the train we arrived on doing the same route but in reverse.

The train for platform 6 is the IR Zug from Luzern!

And it is going to Zürich Flughafen!

Timbo. Are we going yet?

Bärli relike: Five Paws

We got to the airport and were there an hour and 45 minutes before our flight. Timbo likes to make sure he is at the airport in plenty of time. He says it is better to arrive with two hours to spare than rush around with only two minutes before boarding. For a human, I think Timbo is pretty wise. Being relaxed is very important. I know. We were taught in school how to relax humans and makes them happy. It is good I learned that lesson well.

Unlike when we were in Changi airport, Timbo did not use any of his strange magic spells and incantations, but said I could have a tub of my favourite sweet, Ricola. I like it very much. It is Swiss, which is another good reason to like it. I like Swiss things a lot. I like my Swiss name of Bärli as it helps me feel a little bit more Swiss. Timbo wanted to buy himself a new shower gel for this time in Venice. He likes lots of good things, other than me, I've discovered. I am glad about that, as I had my eye on a rather lovely Bärli sized cologne that has the most wonderful scent. The lady gave it to Timbo for free. I think she is one of our secret humans. I am not allowed to tell you more than that, except you will know them by their very kind and very cuddly nature.

It is nice to buy something to make you happy, not only when you buy it, but which will also remind you how lucky you are after, especially if you feel little glum. 

After doing our shopping we went to the Swiss Senator Lounge. Timbo is a Senator because he has travelled a lot, mainly with Swiss. To say thank you with more than just chocolate, they have a special area where there is free food and drink and free internet, so I was able to quickly post on Facebook what I had been doing at the airport.

My giant sized tub of yummy Ricola and my Bärli sized cologne

Bärli Duty Free: Four Paws (not enough choice for small bears but what they had was good)
Bärli Ricola Tubs: Five PawsWe went to the gate, A 81. It sounds far away, but here at Zürich, they have moving walkways that get you there fast. We arrived at the gate just as they were about to let the passengers board the plane.

I am buckled in securely with my refreshing towel and bottle of water.
All set for take off!

Timbo told me this time of day is always very busy at the airport and rarely has this flight left on time. But he did say that we are guaranteed daylight and hopefully we are also guaranteed a spectacular view as we cross the Alps. He was right. We left much later than the time we should have, but we had a brilliant journey. It does not take long to rise high up in the air and just as we started to see the Alps, or to be honest, it was just the tops of them, the nice cabin crew gave us nice little special nibbles. Timbo was very well behaved this time. He only had water to drink.

The Timbo pointed out the tops of the mountains. They were poking up through the thick white cloud. Sometimes they looked like islands in the middle of a white churning sea.

Timbo told me a lovely story that he only wrote briefly about in his blog. He was writing about travelling to Aden. This is what he wrote:

“Do I remember much about the flight? Only a bit. Mum pointed out the Swiss Alps, and told me when she was young, she and her sister Edna went on holiday down there before I was born. I have since retraced some of that holiday, and it is surprising how little some of the places have changed. I hope to post something about that in the future as well. Oh, and we had pea soup.”

I hope he will write more than this to include what he told me. Here are some of the many photos Timbo took while I was looking at the amazing Alps. Some of them include me. Timbo is a rotter for taking candid photos.
Photo The Alps

The tops of the Alps popping through the clouds.

This bit of the Alps is much taller.

Suddenly the cloud disappeared. Once we were past that point Timbo said we would soon be coming into Venice. And we did. He said the approach was not the one he is used to. The plane flew almost over a small place called Chioggia (where Timbo has been) which had been the scene of a big battle at sea. Then we flew parallel to a long strip of land that is called Pellestrina. Then the plane did a little tilt and we changed direction. Timbo whispered to me, “Look out the window now. I can see Venice coming up.”

Oh wow, and gosh, and oh my. It is a tiny place. Timbo had told me it was once a very powerful city state, because back in those times Italy did not exist and was made up of many powerful city states which made their mark on the world today.

Venice!

The big island in the middle is Murano where they make the glass.

Bärli Flight Satisfaction: Five Paws Plus (The Alps are amazing and should not be missed)Bärli Water Taxi Satisfaction: Five Paws (You must do this at least once)

It is now very late. I do not have time to tell you about the taxi ride I had from Venice airport. It is a a taxi on water. It is fabulous! Timbo took loads of photos and once he has decided if he likes any of them, I will see if he will let me use  some. Timbo is very fussy about the photos he publishes.

After we had unpacked, we went to Timbo's most favourite place in Venice. Imagina Cafè. He first came to this place in December 2004. The people there are very kind and friendly. I met Domenico this evening. He shook my paw and then lifted me up onto his shoulder. After we had lots of nibbles to eat we returned to the hotel where I have been busy working on my blog while Timbo has been working on the photos.

Shaking paws with Domenico

Getting the view of the cafè only the boss guys get.

Bärli Cafè Satisfaction: Five Paws (if Timbo likes it for so long it must be that good)