To get to Venice, the "City of Water," you need to use water buses or ferries, as cars are prohibited in the city center. We arrived at the water boat dock that our tour group had booked in advance. From here, we'll take a water boat to the main island.
Even after arriving at the boat dock, we couldn't board a boat right away and had to wait. Our tour guide, Sugi-chan, and his assistant, David-kun, who had been asked to arrange the boat, were deep in conversation with puzzled expressions on their faces. David-kun had a troubled look on his face as he held his cell phone, so I wondered what was going on and asked Sugi-chan. She reassured everyone, saying, "It seems there was a slight mix-up in the arrangements, but please don't worry." Typical Italy. It's unclear whether it was a double booking even though we had a reservation, or some other problem, but it seems these kinds of things happen often, and Sugi-chan didn't seem particularly flustered. None of the tour members complained, and everyone waited patiently. Moments like these really make you appreciate the gentle nature of the Japanese people♪
It looks like the watercraft our tour group can finally board has arrived.
The idea of traveling to a town by speedboat is exciting in itself, isn't it?
The boat ride lasted about 20 minutes. My husband, the onboard photographer, was engrossed in taking pictures, but I enjoyed the beautiful scenery along with the pleasant sea breeze. Now, the scenery reflected in the background of the boat is already the main island of Venice. Can you see how it's right at the water's edge? As the title says, "The Sinking City," the main island of Venice is currently facing a serious problem: it is being subjected to acqua alta (high tide), a phenomenon that causes the city to be flooded. Acqua alta occurs when the Sirocco, a seasonal wind that blows from the African continent in winter, pushes the water of the Adriatic Sea northward. When this coincides with a low pressure system and high tide, the sea level rises, carrying water to the city and causing it to be flooded. The main island of Venice is a city built on wetlands, and when the tide rises, seawater that has seeped into the ground flows back up from below. Furthermore, it is believed that the pumping of groundwater by nearby industrial areas has also caused land subsidence, which is considered one of the contributing factors. It is believed that global warming will accelerate the rise in sea levels, and it is said that Venice will eventually sink into the ocean.
The city of Venice, originally a wetland, consists of over 100 islands connected by approximately 400 bridges and more than 150 canals of varying sizes. It amassed immense wealth through maritime trade, which began in the 11th century, and experienced its golden age as a maritime republic in the 14th and 15th centuries. In 1987, the city and its surrounding islands were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as "Venice and its Lagoon," meeting all the criteria for cultural heritage inscription. Approximately 12 million tourists from around the world visit annually to catch a glimpse of this magnificent city.
Next time, I'll introduce you to Venice, a city with a beautiful history and medieval streets that are loved all over the world, starting from the moment we landed on the main island!
