tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71258508134907407182023-11-16T19:02:34.987+00:00Venice The OriginationInthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-78175040418653582872015-08-07T12:17:00.002+01:002015-08-07T12:31:00.531+01:00The Fushimi Inari Shrine - Aria the Natural Episode 5<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zO_r01lmMCa0.kF8wY3-AybvA&ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=45.463743%2C12.343826&spn=0.129547%2C0.30899&z=12">Click here for Aria Pilgrim's Map of Venice </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It has been approximately 6 years since my last post and finally, I have a little bit of new material to post after my trip to Japan! With Aria the Avvenire around the corner (which I hope to cover), this is a fitting time to make a post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have also started a sister blog, <a href="http://hyoukaorigination.blogspot.com/">Hyouka the Origination</a> to compare the locations used in the anime, Hyouka to the real world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Aria the Natural Ep5 sees Alicia and Akari visit an island full of Japanese Torii gates. In Neo-Venezia, nations from Man-Home had been allocated islands to display their cultural showcase. Obviously, these islands do not exist in the real-world Venice. This episode however is based on a location in real-world Japan, the <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298564-d321456-Reviews-Fushimi_Inari_Shrine-Kyoto_Kyoto_Prefecture_Kinki.html">Fushimi Inari Shrine</a>, located in the southern part of Kyoto.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>All anime screenshots copyright of Hal Film Maker, fair use for educational purposes.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The entrance to the shrine is indeed guarded by statues of the Fox deity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is however, no small store just after the entrance. It's actually very busy with tourists and some souvenir stores.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another point to note is, when Akari buys the tofu for the second time, the shopkeeper says "Thank You" in the Kansai dialect, reinforcing the origin of the location (Kyoto is in the Kansai area of Japan).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Right after the entrance and the shops is the main temple in the real world. The episode oddly inserts this in a random segment when Akari is lost. <i>Below image courtesy of Google Streetview, fair use for educational purposes.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd0qRXWPm-tNQxFFPgWpdZBTHkXy1w0_f7mk4pIISfgny7Bdm8qlRqMr-rHpUmX3VgYK6_eYGLpMnWv0DFA3odXr4TNs5r0DLVbKP4BV8be55sCNilaw1X1kX6QcagxHCvSexjWaC7-o/s1600/aria_natural+05-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd0qRXWPm-tNQxFFPgWpdZBTHkXy1w0_f7mk4pIISfgny7Bdm8qlRqMr-rHpUmX3VgYK6_eYGLpMnWv0DFA3odXr4TNs5r0DLVbKP4BV8be55sCNilaw1X1kX6QcagxHCvSexjWaC7-o/s1600/aria_natural+05-02.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Where the path splits into two. There are several parts of the shrine where this happens. <i>Below image courtesy of Google Streetview, fair use for educational purposes.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72zs0dfg1PHviWt6yB-sLxBAQr0C3J-9GX7excaLljL8QQxHdn93eQGeKSlKCZSjA7CcxZDjt6la83dJg-FlXZvZgqCZeJ2rkQL2CIP7fa6DoUqFjeCRRR31PKvxDS-C4NSJUMD5oOaI/s1600/aria_natural+05-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72zs0dfg1PHviWt6yB-sLxBAQr0C3J-9GX7excaLljL8QQxHdn93eQGeKSlKCZSjA7CcxZDjt6la83dJg-FlXZvZgqCZeJ2rkQL2CIP7fa6DoUqFjeCRRR31PKvxDS-C4NSJUMD5oOaI/s1600/aria_natural+05-03.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The wooded areas in some parts are truly creepy, just as depicted in the anime.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxPfCvjVuWxzRTCPXnNlgWpcASbRlIT-Wh0_5ovTYL-LaaincPOqaH1PbPSd6hbf65WV8QuhpJ9FFNzrr-LVlQRwZhr9p2-xnahFHhpRXcMbWfVjY57xKk5cjs6VheBhP90Cp_ZFOgdQ/s1600/aria_natural+05-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxPfCvjVuWxzRTCPXnNlgWpcASbRlIT-Wh0_5ovTYL-LaaincPOqaH1PbPSd6hbf65WV8QuhpJ9FFNzrr-LVlQRwZhr9p2-xnahFHhpRXcMbWfVjY57xKk5cjs6VheBhP90Cp_ZFOgdQ/s1600/aria_natural+05-04.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are a lot of graves dotted around the hill.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocPcIqnrUrzsSY_LFUKSiCj9MWAVGXYuKHRYZeff-ZJjkYFS-205FQuGne3aI1oN7rTtk4jEYYmhKyNQQjt__3LND-1T6EJVsUK6jEf9QmQYLZ57aeqabIc9Nvv-wW5IfUmpEiFSApPQ/s1600/aria_natural+05-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocPcIqnrUrzsSY_LFUKSiCj9MWAVGXYuKHRYZeff-ZJjkYFS-205FQuGne3aI1oN7rTtk4jEYYmhKyNQQjt__3LND-1T6EJVsUK6jEf9QmQYLZ57aeqabIc9Nvv-wW5IfUmpEiFSApPQ/s1600/aria_natural+05-05.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you were to visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, do allocate 3 hours of your time. The torii gates continue into the beautiful hillside. Whilst the bottom of the hill is packed with tourists making good photos impossible, the crowd really thins out as you ascend.</span>Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-15654551031338469732009-05-11T16:07:00.005+01:002009-05-11T17:10:53.064+01:00The Challenges of Creating a Neo-(something)<b>Aria Pilgrim's Map</b> with labelled locations on Google Maps for anime/real-life references.<br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106958148908280613911.000460d32013b11ddcad2&ll=45.463743,12.343826&spn=0.129547,0.30899&z=12" target="_blank">Click here</a> to open the customised google map in a new tab.<br /><br /><br />Inthernet is currently in Beijing, and this amazing city has given me an unexpected inspiration for an Aria-related post.<br /><br />China is a country full of culture and heritage and it is only natural for them to develop touristic sights in order to draw the maximum amount of crowds. This includes re-creating buildings and streets in a traditional style - much like Neo-Venezia.<br /><br />A new temple being constructed at the City of Datong.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=datongnewtemple.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/datongnewtemple.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The anime (and manga) does discuss the issues of Neo-Venezia simply being a clone of the old city, during Episode 4 (mailman) and 11 (Neo-Venezian Glass) of <i>The Natural</i> and you have to admit, such a clone looks tacky and screams <b>Tourist Trap</b>...<br /><br />...like the re-created straight main street at Qianmen, Beijing leading up to Tianammen and Forbidden City. It's nice...but it's just over-done.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=qianmen.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/qianmen.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Another interesting discussion I've had while in China is, <i>how much restoration</i> can you do, without making an old relic feel stale? Take for instance The Great Wall of China.<br /><br />The Badaling Section is the most touristy, crowded and 120% restored section of the wall. It is perfect, too perfect.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=BadalingGreatWall.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/BadalingGreatWall.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><i>Image retrieved from <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/The_Great_Wall-Badaling-2004f.jpg">Wikipedia</a></i><br /><br />The Simatai Section on the other hand is restored only to the extent it is somewhat safe for visitors, thereby keeping the wild, "original" state of the wall showing its age.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=simatai.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/simatai.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The fact that beauty is in the eye of the beholder creates great trouble, especially since Neo-Venezia will most certainly start out new and look like a cheap clone! <br /><br />Going back to the real Venice, should everything be as pristine as it is on Burano?<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=106.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/106.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Or does the crumbling look of the buildings add character to the city and is thus beautiful in its own right? My dad for example feels the Italians do nowhere near enough to repair their heritage.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=024.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/024.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A discussion with no clear-cut answer. I like the tradeoff between the two myself. Amano has obviously allowed Neo-Venezia to age in 150 years to give the look of the original city. She has also placed very nice inhabitants there to create the ultimate utopian world which we so love!<br /><br />Admittedly, I have gone off in a tangent but it has been something which had been bugging my mind for a good while.Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-80283289456909379232009-01-19T14:47:00.014+00:002009-04-02T18:36:45.915+01:00The ARIA Pilgrim's map of Venice!<b>Edit 3rd April, 2009:</b> Deleted Kai Tak entry. Managed to re-watch Aria the Animation Ep04 to check today and it's definately not "Kai Tak". It is <i>Kaitaku</i> Base as an anonymous commenter had posted (thanks for the heads-up!) which means "Reclamation Base". Well, they cultivated water and reclaimed the wasteland!<br /><br />開拓【かいたく】<br /> (n,vs) (1) reclamation (of wasteland); cultivation; (2) pioneering; pathfinding; trail-blazing; (P)<br /><br /><br />Creating an interactive map of Venice showing the sights of ARIA was <a href="http://www.ruki.flame-haze.net/2009/01/16/ruki-is-back-with-more-aria-licious-stuff/">Ruki's idea</a>. That people like me should create it, instead of himself was also Ruki's idea. Since it was a superb idea, I decided to take it upon myself to do it!<br /><br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106958148908280613911.000460d32013b11ddcad2&ll=45.463743,12.343826&spn=0.129547,0.30899&z=12" target="_blank">Click here</a> to open the customised google map in a new tab <b>(highly recommended)</b>.<br /><br />Or if you're feeling lazy, use the embedded map which is actually too small to be practical.<br /><br /><iframe width="600" height="400" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106958148908280613911.000460d32013b11ddcad2&ll=45.437053,12.326479&spn=0.066522,0.157339&output=embed&s=AARTsJpOh3QF0BCH-Ks2QTWGl9wmLvUr9w"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106958148908280613911.000460d32013b11ddcad2&ll=45.437053,12.326479&spn=0.066522,0.157339&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br /><br />A little extra is the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) which is beside Piazza San Marco, which I surprisingly left out of this blog - so here it is!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=palazzoducale.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/palazzoducale.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Thank you all for visiting and supporting my blog!Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-52116402315722938642008-11-20T11:24:00.003+00:002008-11-20T12:57:53.048+00:00The Origination of ARIA: Pilgrimage Day 4 (Final Day)For people looking for reference material, please use the archives navigation bar on the right hand side.<br /><br /><br /><b>April 04, 2008</b><br /><br />Before I knew it, time had passed so slowly yet so quickly at the same time and it was already my final day in Venice.<br /><br />Due to the packing, we missed the first boat out and caught the second one at 9am. As we entered the Venice city limits against the rising sun, an outline of a gigantic ship threatened to run us over. It was the huge Norwegian Jade cruise ship coming in under tow. For the record, our little motoscafi was producing more waves!<br /><br />We started exploring the last bit of Venice which was the Dorsoduro area. <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/day4map.jpg">This is the day's route.</a><br />RED -> BLUE -> BROWN<br /><br />The weather was very sunny and the haze of the first 3 days had cleared up which gave us a nice blue sky but also a blazing sun, the day being borderline hot in our winter clothes!<br /><br />We took a peek at a Wine store where we had a sample taste of the local fragolino - strawberry wine. I'm actually a zero alcohol person so I do not know how to wine taste but it tasted fine to me. Glad to get the experience!<br /><br />Near the wine store was a <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/06/gondolas-co.html">gondola shipyard</a>, the Squero di San Trovaso which is apparently the oldest in the city and one of only three.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010321.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010321.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We headed westwards, heading deeper into the alleys and encountering less and less people, sitting inside a random beautiful church for 5 minutes to relax. With Venice's sights becoming more familiar and my memory card being almost full, pictures were sparse. The Lonely Planet map of Venice had proved rather reliable in previous days but it was totally lacking in accuracy for Dorsoduro, which with improvisation was not a problem.<br /><br />We eventually looped back towards the east and encountered a nice wooden bridge. I was also surprised to find that despite the logistical nightmare of Venice, the city actually sorted it garbage with multiple rubbish bins for cans etc.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010322.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010322.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As we continued walking, we found ourselves at a Campo with a decapitated church tower!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010323.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010323.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />It was at this very moment that I let my guard down, possibly due to fatigue. I folded the map and tried to navigate through the alleys by memory - and got lost unintentionally for the first time. There goes my theory that "It is possible to <b>not</b> get lost in Venice". Not all was a waste however, as we ended up at the Universita degli Studi Ca Foscari where <a href="http://natsuneko.animeblogger.net/2008/11/02/brb-off-to-venice/">Neko, a fellow ARIA pilgrim</a> will study the next coming year! It had a nice courtyard with seats at the entrance where we munched down some sandwiches!<br /><br />Another hour gone and I was hungry again. According to a friend's guidebook, Spaghetti ala Vongole (clamshell) is the recommended dish to have in Venice and I had been on the lookout for a place with a decent price (under €10) since Day 1. We finally found one and risking getting ripped off with tourist food, went in. The food was very good, if a little rich in oil and definately not tourist garbage. Unknown to me at that time, this tavern was recommended by that same guidebook.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010325.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010325.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />One last place left to go in Dorsoduro which was the <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/santamariasalute.jpg">Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute.</a> The whole area was under restoration which also closed a traghetto route. Photography was constrained to wide-angle which I did not have and I already had pictures of that Church. I was a little dissapointed.<br /><br />We took a traghetto to save 10 minutes...and who doesn't like gondola rides? Unfortunately, they didn't let me stand due to the low load factor of 3 passengers.<br /><br />A final trip to Piazza San Marco, as we had "forgotten" to visit the Basilica 2 days earlier due to the long queue! The Norwegian Jade had emptied over 1000 lemmings and Piazza San Marco was like a rat race. I miss the quiet of the Piazza at 9am.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010327.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010327.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />While there was a long queue for the Campanile due to the crowds, the line for the Basilica was almost empty despite the odds. No backpacks allowed - thanks Mr Terry Wrist. On top of it, no picture taking allowed. You will have to take my word for it that ARIA the Origination ep5.5 was an accurate depiction of the interior. The ceiling is lined with little bits of gold.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=basilicasanmarco.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/basilicasanmarco.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />However unlike Neo-Venezia, the floor was uneven (long-term exposure to Aqua Alta?) and the main hall was full of seats and we could not freely roam about as sections were fenced off. While access to the main areas are free, a fee is charged if you want to see the chapels inside or more importantly, Akari's secret spot!<br /><br />The time was approaching 3pm and it was time to take the boat back to our accomodation to collect our luggage, and go to the airport.<br /><br />An interesting use of materials for this sign.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010328.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010328.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />One last Gelato was consumed as we arrived at Zattere with 15 minutes to spare. I knew I had memory to burn so I finally started snapping away!<br /><br />Our motoscafi-style boat, the San Giorgio in Alga which we took every morning. An appropriate name as it is named after an abandoned island which the boat passes a zillion times a day on the Fusina - Zattere route.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010329.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010329.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Looking back at Zattere<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010331.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010331.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A motoscafi with old factories in the background.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010332.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010332.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The Norwegian Jade.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010333.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010333.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The causeway from Mestre, with the day clear enough to see the Alps.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010334.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010334.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We arrived at Fusina with plenty of time to kill until the next bus to Mestre, so I went snapping pictures. Two views of Venice and the surrounding lagoon from Fusina, at approx 35mm and 300mm zoom.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010335.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010335.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010337.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010337.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Last picture but not the least, our accomodation! We got half of the trailerhome.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010338.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010338.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We then got our luggage and took the local ACTV bus to the airport, changing busses at Mestre station. This was a long, slow and crowded journey and I was totally knackered at the airport. Our flight was at 8pm and we arrived very early, taking into account Murphy's Law.<br /><br />I am a bit of an aviation nut as well and was observing which runways were in use for departure. Winds negligible, planes taking off in both directions depending on destination. Gambling on a southwesterly runway departure for London, I grabbed the emergency exit row seat (legroom) on the left side of the aircraft and was victorious! I saw Venice and the navigation channels lit up by night in its full glory during climbout! I managed to get some sleep in the plane, despite the lack or recline, light dimming and the in-flight food marketing on Easyjet.<br /><br />I finally arrived at my dormitory at 12am, feeling a little depressed that my trip to Venice had come to an end.Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-64115769896322878372008-11-02T12:01:00.005+00:002008-11-13T14:23:20.930+00:00The Origination of ARIA: Pilgrimage Day 3For people looking for reference material, please use the archives navigation bar on the right hand side.<br /><br />Edit 13/11/2008: I have just finished looking through the comments on every single old post and have replied accordingly. Thank you all for the very useful pieces of information! I've also changed my settings so I will get notification e-mails from now on.<br /><br /><br /><b>April 03, 2008</b><br /><br />A very long day with plenty of distance covered. The map of the day is pretty insane!<br />RED -> PINK -> GREEN -> BLUE<br /><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/day3map.jpg">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/day3map.jpg</a><br /><br />Another very early start to the day, with a 7:20am start to catch the first boat into Venice at 8am. It had been a very chilly night and it was freezing in the morning - which resulted in a rather <i>magical</i> sight as we made our way to the ferry dock.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=073.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/073.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=074.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/074.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Thick fog looking as if it was steam coming up from a hot spring. An absolutely unreal sight and I was awestruck. My worry of the sailing being cancelled proved wrong as the boat came, 3 minutes late. The fog quickly lifted and we munched down our sandwiches on our trip. A private vessel doing twice the speed limit cut across navigation channels and our captain duly slowed down to let the idiot through.<br /><br />After landing at Zattere, we proceeded to the Accademia vaporetto stop where we bought ourselves a 24 hour pass for an amazing €16. We'll definately make full use of that! The nice guy at the ticket counter asked us where we were off to and upon hearing my answer, gave us the quickest route to Murano...but to his bewilderment, I thanked him and ran off to hop on the #1 Vaporetto heading the opposite direction to his instructions! I had it all planned already, that we take a cruise up the Canale Grand first!<br /><br />It was 8:40am and we saw Venice slowly coming to life with the canal filled with commuters and delivery boats. Venice is still a city with 50,000 inhabitants, not a real-life Museum (although it gets pretty close)! Luck has it that it was an old-style Vaporetto with front seats.<br /><br />The traghetto packed with commuters.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=075.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/075.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=076.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/076.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A long row of parked Gondolas, the day still early for our <s>Undines</s> Gondeliers.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=077.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/077.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=078.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/078.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010210.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010210.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010212.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010212.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/06/traghetto-santa-sofia.html">Traghetto Santa Sofia</a>, with the Pescaria market in full swing.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010218.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010218.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Approaching the <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/scalzi.jpg">Scalzi Bridge</a>.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=079.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/079.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We hopped off the #1 Vaporetto here (Ferrovia) and then changed to the #52 for Murano. It was a 15 minute wait as we had just missed one but this allowed me to make a carefully synchronised pitstop at <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/08/isola-san-michele-murano.html">Isola San Michele</a> lasting exactly 15 minutes!<br /><br />Definately not a place you'd want to be at night - unless you're an airhead like someone!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010229.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010229.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We then landed at <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/08/isola-san-michele-murano.html">Murano</a> which was a totally tourist-orientated place along the main canal. It was completely full of shops selling glasswares.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=080.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/080.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010237.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010237.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010234.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010234.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After initial bad luck, we finally found a fornace where we could see the <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/maestro.jpg">glass Maestros at work</a>.<br /><br />Upon crossing the one main bridge at the middle of Murano, we discovered a nice coffee shop where we bought freshly heated sandwiches and coffee for lunch. The Americano is only €1 - a good price for a trip to the toilet, where next to <b>none are free</b> in Venice and the locals aren't very helpful about it either!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=086.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/086.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=087.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/087.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After our lunch, we went exploring around Murano where we saw the "other side" - a quiet and low-density residential area! I would love to live somewhere like this!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010255.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010255.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=089.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/089.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010259.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010259.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=090.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/090.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Then we returned to the touristy area, dropping by the coffee shop for gelato! We then proceeded to the Vaporetto stop to catch the LN to Burano.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=091.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/091.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=092.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/092.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=093.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/093.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Adios, Murano!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=095.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/095.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=096.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/096.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />On our way up a water taxi overtook us, doing at least twice the speed limit. Some people really want Venice to disintegrate, despite the fact they earn the ca$h off the historic city.<br /><br />The vaporetto slowed down to a crawl as we navigated up a narrow channel alongside Mazzorbo. Seeing how nice it looked, I decided to hop off since we could walk across a bridge to Burano later.<br /><br /><a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/05/burano-lace-island.html">Mazzorbo</a>, the island beside Burano was really peaceful and devoid of people. It was a great stroll and very relaxing - and an unlikely <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/mazzorbo.jpg">ARIA reference</a> to boot.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=097.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/097.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=098.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/098.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=099.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/099.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=100.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/100.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We then turned back and headed over to <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/05/burano-lace-island.html">Burano</a>, the lace island.<br /><br />Burano, seen from Mazzorbo.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=102.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/102.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The bright, pastel coloured houses and lace shops.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=103.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/103.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=104.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/104.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=105.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/105.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=106.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/106.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We also explored Burano, and a really nice old lady standing at the door of her house thought we were lost and gave us instructions back to the main throughfare. Seeing how kind she was, I cut off the exploration and followed her instructions to emerge from a tiny alley - picture below!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=107.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/107.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We then headed back to the Vaporetto stop where a double deck Motonavi doing the route LN picked us up on the way to Piazza San Marco (S.Zaccaria). Good timing as a storm was bearing down on us and the Motonavi provided us shelter.<br /><br />It took ages, with exceptionally long dwell times at our intermediate stops. After 75 minutes, we were almost there, except our berth was occupied by another Motonavi for over 5 minutes. Our speed reduced to a crawl to wait for it to vacate - but not after I got pictures! The passing storm gave a superb backdrop and contrast.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010296.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010296.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=108.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/108.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010299.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010299.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/08/hunt-for-himeya.html"><br /><s>Himeya</s> The Danielli Hotel</a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010301a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010301a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Upon our arrival at S.Zaccaria, we made a quick change to the #41 Vaporetto to the island of Giudecca. This was formerly the industrial district of Venice and contains landmarks such as the Redentore. We did our usual detouring through the alleys, purchasing bread for snack at a bakery in the process. We eventually arrived at the former Molino Stucky factory which is now the Hilton Hotel where we took the liberty of entering from the rear and exiting at the front - as well as using the extremely posh toilets for free!<br /><br />As we walked through it, my mum made the comment of how she remembers seeing a similar building in a manga/anime many years ago (she has not seen ARIA, obviously). This gave me the realisation that the Molino Stucky had a very unique architectural design and the <b>only</b> building I've seen in Venice which had the tiniest resemblance to <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/07/hunt-for-orange-planet.html">Orange Planet</a>.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010307.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010307.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=109.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/109.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A glorious sunset over a petrochemical plant built in possibly the worst location ever - right beside an exceptionally important heritage site (Venice).<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=111.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/111.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We then took the #2 Vaporetto back to San Zaccaria (yay for old type Vaporettos and front seats!). After some hesitation, I took the plunge and entered the <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/08/hunt-for-himeya.html">Danielli Hotel</a> to sneak some photos.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=112.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/112.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=113.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/113.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Then, it was time to enjoy the nightscape around Piazza San Marco. A great shame that I did not have a tripod.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010317.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010317.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=114.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/114.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />This was my desktop wallpaper for 6 months.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=115.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/115.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />At around 9:00pm, we took the #1 Vaporetto again to Piazzale Roma to take the bus back to our accomodation, our last boat long being gone. The night cruise up the Grand Canal (yay again for old-style Vaporettos with front seats!) was an interesting experience, with the combination of silence and darkness giving a very eerie feel. This was the most memorable moment of the whole trip for my mum, the spookiness reminding her of the Phantom of the Opera. Nor wonder Alice-chan can come up with all sorts of haunted stories!<br /><br />We finally arrived back to our acocmodation past 11pm - the land route is horrid and we slept at around 12am totally exhausted.Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-9155220674265806842008-10-09T15:23:00.008+01:002008-10-31T11:50:33.166+00:00The Origination of ARIA: Pilgrimage Day 2To see detailed comparisons between ARIA and Venice, please use the archives navigation on the right hand side of the screen.<br /><br />Been a bit busy in life and my laptop having problems have slowed down the blog. Day 3 will be up "soon".<br /><br /><b>April 02, 2008</b><br /><br />A 7:20am start to the day, with sandwiches made for breakfast. Then we took the first boat to Venice at 8am. Going into Venice by boat gave an extremely euphoric feeling and felt totally different from the bussing we did the previous day. The boat was simply fantastic as we were surrounded by the charms of Venice, away from "civilisation".<br /><br />We arrived at Zattere at 8:25am and the city felt very different from the previous day. It was the complete lack of tourists. A very quiet scene with locals doing their own business. What a great feeling. We sat down at the public benches at a Campo to appreciate the scene, while we munched down our breakfast sandwiches.<br /><br />Here is our walking route for day 2. RED -> BLUE -> PINK.<br /><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/day2map.jpg">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/day2map.jpg</a><br /><br />We soon arrived at the <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/06/restoration-and-accademia-bridge.html">Accademia bridge</a>, which I think is the prettiest of the four bridges across the Grand Canal, as we made our way to Piazza San Marco.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=023.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/023.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=024.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/024.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We reached <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/sanmarco.jpg">Piazza San Marco</a> at around 9:20am. There were very few people around. We peeped at the Florian and then the <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/05/san-marcos-campanile.html">Campanile</a>. €8 to go to the top, wow. Queue? What queue? There was none!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=025.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/025.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=032.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/032.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I paid up and boarded the elevator up, ironically made by a company called <b>SCAM</b> - and I sure felt scammed...until I reached the top.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010082.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010082.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />In the picture immediately below, I noticed a certain landmark that I didn't do any research on, but appeared in ARIA. I took note of the compass direction for later reference. Can anyone spot what it is?<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010083.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010083.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=026.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/026.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=028.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/028.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=029.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/029.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=031.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/031.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />It was worth every cent. The view was breathtaking - just totally unbelievable. Absolutely suteki...marude mahou mitai (it's like magic) - Hazukashii Serifu Kinshi!!! I was simply lost for words. The day had started well, and the Campanile was definately was a turning point in my feelings for Venice.<br /><br />I spent around 30 minutes up there and afterwards, went back to the <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/07/caffe-florian.html">Caffe Florian</a> to get some Caffe Latte. My mum ran some "value for money" calculations and decided to get a full breakfast for €30 or so with Coffee included, since Caffe Latte by itself was already €10.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010111.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010111.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=035.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/035.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The food was amazing, and came with lots of goodies. It seems you do get what you pay for and therefore, this meal despite being the most expensive in my entire life, was not a ripoff. Now, I love my food and this experience was quickly transforming my impressions on Venice. The inside was extremely pretty with art even on the ceilings, and the Bose speakers were playing soft Italian classical music. The volume was just right, giving a perfect atmosphere.<br /><br />The Caffe Latte, much talked about in ARIA and it was extremely good. The Italians seem to like their coffee warm, rather than hot. While I'm no coffee expert, the Florian coffee had a rich taste and an aftertaste.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010105a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010105a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The Florian was so memorable that I snagged as many souvenirs as possible. Sugar, fruit picks, paper napkins and also sneakily snatched the cloth napkin - <b>my mum suggested the last one!</b><br /><br />It was 12pm when we started to make our way out of Piazza San Marco. We had been here for almost 3 hours and the bells of the Campanile were ringing to mark the midday.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=038.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/038.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010120.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010120.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010122.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010122.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The waterfront promonade had stalls selling artists' own paintings of Venezian scenery. There were other souvenir stalls, as we went past the <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/sigh02.jpg">Bridge of Sighs</a>.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=042.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/042.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=043.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/043.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I had already worked out the approximate location of <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/08/hunt-for-himeya.html">Himeya</a> but walked right by it without noticing! I did notice a little later on, which meant I had to double back around 300 metres. I took a crappy picture of the front that day, which got deleted to create free space in my 256meg card - after getting a better picture the next day.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010130.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010130.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010131a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010131a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We proceeded Eastwards again towards some parkland I spotted on my map and went past a leaning tower...<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=044.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/044.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />...until I reached the most likely location of <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/09/hunt-for-aria-company.html">ARIA Company</a> - the Arsenale Vaporetto stop.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=045.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/045.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We soon arrived at <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/07/aria-origination-ep55-sestiere-di.html">East Castello</a>, which later turned out to be the main focus of the DVD-only Origination Episode 5.5.<br /><br />This turned out to be my favourate area in the whole of Venice as it was a place where hardly any tourists went to. It was a totally local slice-of-life experience. We went into a shop and my mum wanted "biological yoghurt". A litre of it. I haggled her down to 500ml, as yoghurt is heavy stuff to consume! Upon consumption, this "yoghurt" turned out to be <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/gotmilk3.jpg">full cream milk</a>! The best milk I've ever had in fact! Milk is a must buy in Venice - and make sure it's <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/gotmilk2.jpg">freezing cold</a>!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=046.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/046.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/veggieboat.jpg">floating market stall</a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=047.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/047.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010140.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010140.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010138.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010138.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We went through a tree-lined path, back to the coast. A possible inspiration for <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/trees.jpg">Origination ep09</a>?<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=048.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/048.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010134.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010134.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010144a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010144a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After walking by the "public gardens", we went back into the peaceful alleys.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=050.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/050.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=051.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/051.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=052.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/052.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=053.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/053.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=054.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/054.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=055.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/055.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=056.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/056.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/castello3.jpg">entrance to the Arsenale</a>. We decided to sit down at the benches here to have lunch - sandwiches with jam from the Florian!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=057.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/057.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The symbol of Venice<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=059.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/059.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/castello4.jpg">Laundry</a>!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=060.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/060.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />More walking...<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=061.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/061.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=062.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/062.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=063.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/063.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=064.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/064.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=066.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/066.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Taken from the Northern promonade. I went all the way up there to investigate possible locations for <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/07/hunt-for-orange-planet.html">Orange Planet</a> to no avail.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=067.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/067.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We then looped back to Santa Sofia, and did some more alley exploring until we realised that a thunderstorm was bearing down on us. This is when I did some calculations. A typical storm rainfall is 30mm an hour. Venice gets 50mm <b>a month</b>. I gambled that the rain would last 30 minutes at most, and legged it all the way to Piazza San Marco for shelter.<br /><br />We stuck around the Florian, listening to their music for free - supposedly worth €6. It may have been the weather but the violin was terribly out of tune. It started raining cats and dogs but as I predicted, it was over in around 30 minutes. These dark pictures are taken at approx 5pm - sunset is around 8pm!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=068.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/068.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010182.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010182.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=069.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/069.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=070.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/070.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After the rain, it was almost time for the last boat back to Fusina at 6pm. However, we had just enough time to look for the landmark that I had spotted from the Campanile earlier that day. My map luckily had outlines of major buildings so I only had two possibilities, after doing directional and distance analysis. We soon managed to stumble upon the place. I learnt <b>on the spot</b> that it was called the <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/05/palazzo-contarini-del-bovolo.html">Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo!</a> Thank you very much ARIA, you're as good, if not better than any tourist book!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=071.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/071.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010188.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010188.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Then we really had to rush back to Zattere for the last boat back, but that didn't stop me from taking a picture of a leaning tower at a Campo!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=072.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/072.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />An absolutely fabulous Day 2, what a contrast from Day 1! I was extremely tired but very happy indeed - actually, indescribably happy!. The weather had been pleasantly cool and cooperative. The haze had compromised my pictures but it had also shielded us from direct sunlight. More sandwiches for dinner, before I slept at a relatively early 10:30pm. I had already planned the itenerary for Day 3 and all seemed good.Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-27151629751496383342008-09-29T17:20:00.010+01:002008-09-30T19:00:09.152+01:00The Origination of ARIA: Pilgrimage Day 1My trip report, left out until the end due to the sheer amount of ARIA material I found. Please take a look at the archives navigation bar on the right hand side!<br /><br /><br /><b>April 01, 2008</b><br /><br />The day started at 4am for last minute packing and breakfast and they were finished ahead of schedule, which meant I had 24 minutes to watch something very important on my laptop before leaving for the airport - <b>ARIA the Origination finale</b>, which had aired 11 hours prior. A very symbolic start to my ARIA-inspired trip to Venice.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=ariaep13.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/ariaep13.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A worthy note that I <b>refused</b> to carry any ARIA material on grounds that I wanted a relaxing <b>vacation</b> rather than running around matching things.<br /><br />My very first flight on a true budget airline (Easyjet) and the flight left on time, the service excellent and it was only £50 return! I got a good view of the Alps and much more as I had <b>strategically</b> grabbed the emergency exit seat on the <b>right</b> hand side of the aircraft, and my gamble paid off during the final approach.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/003.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We arrived at Venice Marco Polo at 11:30am and the immigration was very fast - then things went downhill. Any bus journeys starting from the airport incurred a surcharge. What a rip. I had also planned to carry my backpack around for the day but it was too heavy for my mum. Instead of the bus to Venezia, we hopped onto the one bound for Mestre to drop off our stuff. We took the local ACTV bus because it was cheaper than the express bus and would give us a true slice-of-life experience. At Mestre, we missed the <b>hourly</b> bus to our accomodation while my mum was getting me a cheese Panini. That was the last straw - we dumped our stuff at the Mestre rail station and took the next bus bound for Venezia!<br /><br />My walking route for Day 1. Only a general view and excludes random alley exploration! RED -> BLUE -> PINK. The bottom left corner is not a joke!<br /><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/day1map.jpg">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/day1map.jpg</a><br /><br />I finally arrived in Venezia at 2pm. Weather was pleasantly cool, sunny but extremely hazy. One of my first sights after arrival was how the putrid water shimmered under the arch of the bridge.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010011.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010011.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />More pictures of my first impression...<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/005.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/006.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010017.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010017.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A dead end from mapless alley exploration!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010018.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010018.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Random church, and docked Gondolas.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010019.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010019.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=007.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/007.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />By this time, I was getting rather disappointed with Venice. The buildings looked rather run-down and crumbling, a fair bit of graffiti and some derelict houses, evidence of the declining Venezian populace.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010023.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010023.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010024.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010024.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I was on the constant lookout for Traghettos. I did not have any idea where Traghetto Santa Sofia is - which was the location of ARIA the Origination ep04. I would later find out my map mislabled it as Pescaria. Nonetheless, I totally lucked out as I happened to be in the area and saw the sign for <a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/06/traghetto-santa-sofia.html">Traghetto Santa Sofia</a>! Unfortunately, the market was closed but the place smelled strongly of fish. After waiting, I hopped onto the Traghetto which cost €0.60. With a load factor of 3 passengers, I could sit and snap away pictures!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=ssofia.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/ssofia.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=009.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/009.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=010.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/010.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=012.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/012.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Some houses are built over alleys. The top of the tunnel is made of wood...as my mum sets out checking out the food.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010044.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010044.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=013.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/013.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The main throughfare to <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/rialto01.jpg">Rialto</a> and Rialto itself reeked of total tourist consumerism. It was packed with lemmings and shops selling near-identical merchandise - <b>and this was LOW season!</b> My impression of Venice declines further as not only was it run-down but I've never seen such a blatent tourist trap. I felt sick. At least the Grand Canal was pretty.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=011.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/011.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=014.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/014.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010048.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010048.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=015.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/015.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010050.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010050.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Needless to say, this was my one and only time to cross the Rialto bridge. We soon took refuge in the quieter alleys. Luckily, the tourist crowd only stick to certain streets. A random fountain in a quiet alley, and an <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/doorhandle.jpg">ARIA reference - chrysanthenum</a>.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010052.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010052.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010057.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010057.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We got ripped off on my first Gelato purchase - bloody lady gave us small scoops. My impression of Venice gone even lower. We soon made it to the Scalzi bridge and the Church which <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/scalzi.jpg">appears only once</a> in ARIA (the Origination ep12).<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=016.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/016.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=017.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/017.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010060.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010060.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We then walked around the Cannaregio Canal and its environs. We found a CO-OP store selling very cheap provisions where we bought bread, water and snacks for meal substitution in the coming days.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=018.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/018.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=019.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/019.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=020.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/020.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=P1010068.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/P1010068.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=021.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/021.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Then we did something totally criminal - we had dinner at a chinese restaurant on the grounds of familiarity, price and how it fills you up quickly! Then a walk through the Jewish ghetto - we saw some Hebrew signs there and a little more alley exploration. It was sunset by now and we hopped on the bus to Mestre to collect our luggage before hopping on the hourly bus to our accomodation at Fusina!<br /><br />We checked in at 9pm, totally exhausted only to hear even more bad news. To the Italian boat operator, "April" meant the second week of April - which meant the last sailing Venice -> Fusina would be 6pm, instead of 8pm. I was beyond disappointed, but at least the trailerhome was clean, heating worked well and the shared shower/toilets were the cleanest I've ever experienced. All for €30 a night for two, not bad at all. Sleep came at around 11pm.<br /><br />To sum it up I felt emotionally dry upon arrival to Venezia and was stressed, angry and disappointed. The best highlight being Traghetto Santa Sofia but in retrospect, I managed to get some great pictures which I did not appreciate at the time. Fortunately, Day 2 was to prove very different.Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-83368960518769410332008-09-23T18:11:00.006+01:002008-09-23T18:18:25.295+01:00ARIA Company follow-upI was made aware of a picture drama in the <b><br />ARIA THE ANIMATION Desktop Accesories (System Voice, Screen Saver, Wallpapers, etc.)</b> CD-ROM by Solais where the 3 of them take turns practicing tour guiding. This picture drama has an animated map showing which part of Neo-Venezia the 3 of them are currently in.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=tourguidecover.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/tourguidecover.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Which also means, it gives away the approximate location of ARIA Company...and my analysis was actually spot on! Below is the "official" location.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=dramamap.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/dramamap.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As far as I know, this picture drama has not been translated into English.Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-70127934905162852802008-09-18T14:25:00.009+01:002008-09-22T05:31:05.693+01:00The hunt for ARIA CompanyWarning: This will be a rather vague post using outrageous assumptions.<br /><br />ARIA Company, the most important location of them all in the whole of ARIA. However fictitious it may be, however impossible it seemed, it was still a requirement for me as an ARIA fan to investigate.<br /><br /><br /><b>Orientation</b><br /><br />The first thing to find was the compass direction and the producers were ever so kind to include a windvane on the roof...except there is a discontinuity error.<br /><br />ARIA Company faces <b>East</b> in the Animation<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=east.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/east.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />...but faces <b>South</b> in The Origination.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=south.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/south.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />However, by piecing together visual and circumstancial evidence, I can quickly conclude that ARIA Company indeed faces <b>South</b>.<br /><br /><br /><b>Circumstancial Evidence</b><br /><br />1. ARIA the Animation ep11, the three of them walk along the waterfront promonade westwards (with Symphony insert song playing).<br /><br />2. ARIA the OVA ~ ARIETTA, Akari faces East from the Campanile when pointing out the direction of ARIA Company (can be deduced from ground lighting).<br /><br />3. ARIA the Origination ep5, when the three split up at Himeya after practice, Akari is rowing East.<br /><br />4. ARIA the Origination ep5.5, Akari approaches the fork of the southern promonade from the West (timestamp 02:20).<br /><br />These evidence point to ARIA Company located somewhere between Himeya and the fork at East Castello on the southern promonade.<br /><br /><br /><b>Visual Evidence</b><br /><br />Looking Westwards from ARIA Company, we see the island of San Giogio Maggiore.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=sangiorgiowest.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/sangiorgiowest.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Looking West North West we see the outline of San Marco's Basilica and Campanile.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=sanmarcojpg.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/sanmarcojpg.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Amano art, view from ARIA Company facing south, with San Giorgio Maggiore seen in the South West, partially obscured by Aika.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=amanogiorgio.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/amanogiorgio.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />But a semi-overhead view shows a promonade but with an unfamiliar looking outcrop, with ARIA Company built in front. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=above.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/above.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />So while ARIA Company is actually pretty much fiction, one can more or less work out where it's "supposed" to be, the most likely being where the vaporetto stop is on the left hand side of the picture.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=arsenalevaporetto.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/arsenalevaporetto.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br />Google maps: <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/ariacompanymap.jpg">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/ariacompanymap.jpg<br /></a><br />This in hindsight seems like a useless post - but the amount of overanalysis which went on in my head made me decide I had to get it all out.Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-57884086421845787112008-09-10T15:53:00.008+01:002008-09-10T16:15:05.824+01:00ARIA (finally) arrives in Hong Kong(While the Chinese translation has probably been around, I've never seen the Japanese ARIA manga in Hong Kong until today...)<br /><br />Last summer (2007), I went to the best-known Japanese bookstore in Hong Kong on 11/F of the SOGO Department Store. No ARIA manga - only a perfect guidebook.<br /><br />Two weeks ago I went there - only the Origination Perfect Guidebook.<br /><br />I just went there this evening again to look for educational books and checked out the manga section again. To my joy and pleasure, they actually stocked up ARIA on the bookshelf! Some volumes were missing, presumably sold! What a pleasant surprise, although my plan of a "Book Off" raid in the future to collect all volumes remain unchanged for now.<br /><br />Another first at the bookstore is that, I saw the "Dengeki G" and the "Megami" magazines on sale. My friend had told me Dengeki is more conservative compared with Megami and their rather skimpy official art. This month's Dengeki had a rather un-worksafe piece of plastic on the cover. Megami had a Gurren-Lagann cover, which I've never watched purely due to the character design being unappealing to my eyes.<br /><br />As I proceeded to look for the price tag (with no intention of buying), I realised I looked like a bloody nerd, a true "no-life king".<br /><br />恥ずかしい。。。<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:200%;" >恥ずかしい雑誌禁止!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />...and I scurried away, to look for revision books for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.</span>Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-46348846675115747232008-09-05T05:24:00.007+01:002008-09-05T18:26:46.028+01:00The messages of ARIA part 3 + ExtrasEdit: ARIA the Origination picture drama #1 has been softsubbed by me and Fox. Get the softsub file at <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?panowbdcfez">http://www.mediafire.com/?panowbdcfez</a><br /><br />After 5 long months of leisure-watching, I've finished re-watching the whole of the ARIA series! Here are the messages I've picked out of ARIA the Origination. I omitted quite a few as some of them felt too <i>idealistic</i> or <i>utopic</i>.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-weight: bold;">Navigation 01: そのやがて訪れる春の風に… / In The Spring Breeze That Finally Came To Visit...</span><br /><br />It’s important to constantly think you always have some way to go in personal development because once you’re satisfied with your abilities, you won’t be able to move forward any further.<br /><br />You should accept your imperfect self and have fun with life!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Navigation 04: その 明日を目指すものたちは… / The Things We Aim For Tomorrow...</span><br /><br />One shouldn’t be too hard and inflexible as it will prevent learning and improvement. You should be flexible instead and willing to transform yourself.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Navigation 08: その 大切な人の記憶に… / That Important Person's Memories...</span><br /><br />Even the greatest of people have their own insecure side.<br /><br />Memories are treasures which you keep in a treasure chest.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-weight: bold;">Navigation 11: その 変わりゆく日々に… / On These Changing Days...</span><br /><br />A pure friendship should not have any prerequisites in order to meet and confide.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-weight: bold;">Navigation 13: その 新しいはじまりに… / To That New Beginning...</span><br /><br />Change can be tough but one can look forward to the new positive experiences that await.<br /><br />Here is the episode ratings which I'd personally give. Because I'm a newb at Excel, Ep5.5 is labeled as 6, ep 6 = 7 and so on up until 13 = 14.<br />4 = Poor<br />5 = Below Average<br />6 = Average<br />7 = Good<br />8 = Very Good<br />9 = Excellent<br />10 = Masterpiece/Perfect<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view&current=arias3rate.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/arias3rate.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />At a mean of 7.50, it scores the highest out of all three ARIA series in my head.<br /><br /><br />The final episodes of ARIA the Origination also provided me with some picture matching opportunities!<br /><br />In the real-life Venice, the wells were covered with sturdy metal lids, not the rotten wood Aika managed to jump onto!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view&current=aikawell.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/aikawell.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />So far in ARIA, we had only seen 2 of the 3 (functioning) bridges across the Grand Canal. In Ep11 of The Origination, we finally see the last one - the Scalzi Bridge, complete with the Scalzi Church!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view&current=scalzi.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/scalzi.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />"Himeya has opened another branch near Santa Lucia Station" - Akari<br />While I got a negative match from google maps satellite, I could still pinpoint the exact location of where the producers threw in the new Himeya branch.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view&current=himeyatwoone.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/himeyatwoone.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />Future pilgrims are advised to check out the following location and report back! <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/himeyatwo.jpg">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/himeyatwo.jpg</a>Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-61430780455420465762008-08-29T12:56:00.004+01:002008-08-29T13:07:14.904+01:00Random LandmarksHere's another collection of randomness I had piled up while I watched ARIA.<br /><br /><br />ARIA makes the Rialto bridge so much bigger than it is.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=rialto03.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/rialto03.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Gondola parking - but at least there's no parking meters!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=rialto02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/rialto02.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The market on the west end of the Rialto Bridge.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=rialto01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/rialto01.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />And a picture I found on a friend's social networking profile which closely matched Amano art, complete with the Vaporetto in the same spot.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=rialto04.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/rialto04.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Piazza San Marco<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=sanmarco.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/sanmarco.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Isola San Giorgio<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=sangiorgio-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/sangiorgio-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The Bridge of Sighs by day. Included the ever-so-cute dekkai for the sake of it.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=sigh02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/sigh02.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The Bridge of Sighs by night.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=sigh01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/sigh01.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />To end it off a view of the lagoon, which reminded me of a photo I took.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=lagoon.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/lagoon.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div>Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-84023007756165202102008-08-18T21:28:00.004+01:002008-08-18T22:03:40.571+01:00The Hunt for HimeyaFrom watching ARIA, I had already deduced the approximate location of Himeya to be on the southern promonade, near Piazza San Marco. Akira looking out of the window in Ep05 of The Origination gave me the precise estimated location. It is way too easy to use this landmark as a bearing on a map!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=sangiorgio.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/sangiorgio.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />So I went down the Southern Promonade and lo behold, Himeya actually exists - as the 5-Star <a href="http://danieli.hotelinvenice.com">Danielli Hotel</a> with rooms starting from as low as €400 a night!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=himeya02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/himeya02.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />A brief scene showing the unique design of the revolving doors was not to be discarded.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=himeya01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/himeya01.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The side entrance for people arriving by boat, complete with the red carpet.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=himeya04.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/himeya04.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Obviously, the next thing to do was to go in - and what a posh lobby it has! There was also some Murano Glass on display. I ventured further in and up the stairs, as depicted in this cover art.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=himeya05.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/himeya05.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Now that I was inside, the next task was to pull my camera out and take a picture! I was all alone (my mum doesn't count :P) on the first floor, away from prying hotel staff who didn't seem to notice me trying to get an indoor shot without a flash. This was very lucky as <a href="http://www.ruki.flame-haze.net/">Ruki</a> was apparently told <b>KINSHI</b> by hotel staff. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=himeya03.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/himeya03.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Amano-sensei must have loved this hotel (if she stayed there, she's loaded!) and the producers have definately been inside to take down the details. I shall end this entry with a google map image showing where the real-life Himeya/Danielli is for future pilgrims.<br /><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/VCEmap.jpg">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/VCEmap.jpg</a>Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-68558447456271834122008-08-08T01:11:00.009+01:002008-08-08T01:47:48.985+01:00Isola Di San Michele / MuranoOn my way to Murano, I did a very quick pitstop and spent all of 15 minutes at Isola Di San Michele which consists of a church and a huge cemetary. This island features in the rather spooky ep20 of ARIA the Natural in which the artwork was easily the best from the whole season.<br /><br />Face to face...and at the exact same angle.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=sanmichele02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/sanmichele02.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br />Image retrieved 08 August, 2008 from: <b>Italy Heaven</b>, "San Michele, Venice's cemetery island", <a href="http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/veneto/venice/sanmichele.html">http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/veneto/venice/sanmichele.html</a><br /><br /><br />The cemetary. This would sure be very spooky at night.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=sanmichele.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/sanmichele.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Akari is <b>way</b> too nice to be taking someone from Piazza San Marco to San Michele late at night. A quick measurement of distance and calculation gives me an approximate trip time of 45 minutes.<br /><br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Then it was off to Murano, featured in The Natural ep11.<br /><br /><i>"The people of Venice have been making crystal and glass since the 10th century. The bulk of the industry was moved to the island of Murano in 1291 because of the danger of fire posed by the glass-working kilns.<br /><br />Venice had a virtual monopoly on the production of what is now known as Murano glass, and the methods of the craft were such a well-guarded secret that it was considered treason for a glass-worker to leave the City."</i> (Simonis 2008, p113)<br /><br />The second paragraph about people being prohibited to leave the city was mentioned in The Natural Ep 11 at 05:10 when Alicia was explaining the history.<br /><br />If you look at my picture carefully, the canal turns sharply to the left. Once you go round that left, as depicted in the anime, you will reach the clocktower.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=murano01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/murano01.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Both sides of the canal in the pictures above are full of glass shops - Murano really is a tourist heaven/trap to an extent that you'll be disgusted by it.<br /><br />Akari takes a peek...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=glass02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/glass02.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The shelves at one of the countless glass shops.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=glass.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/glass.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Murano and the glass furnaces are so tightly built it's impossible to get a clean shot, unless you take one from the sea.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=fornace.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/fornace.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />After initial disappointments, I found a glass furnace which was very welcoming to visitors - it had signage for tourists to understand the process of glass making as well as a live demostration. The people were even so nice as to pose with the freshly completed product! Here is "Maestro" at work!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=maestro.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/maestro.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><b>Bibliography</b><br /><br /><b>Simonis, D.</b> (2008), <i>Venice & The Veneto: City Guide</i>, Lonely Planet Publications: LondonInthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-25227561534518110062008-08-05T17:11:00.005+01:002008-08-05T17:34:05.406+01:00R.I.P. Kawai EriI was trawling around Asuki as usual when I read the news that the singer Kawai Eri (河井 英里) had passed away on August 4, 2008.<br /><br />She's best known in ARIA for singing Athena's songs - Baracarole and Kokkoro. However, she also did the vocals for all the background songs which don't contain any lyrics such as the track played in the background of The Origination Ep02 (timestamp 17:02) when we reach Amarantha's secret place (Aria - Kawai Eri).<br /><br />Less known is the fact that she wrote the lyrics for the three OP songs, <i>Undine, Euforia, Spirale</i>.<br /><br />Rest in peace - You brought joy to many peoples' lives. ARIA would not have been the same without your priceless contribution.Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-46212361190533877002008-08-01T19:19:00.007+01:002008-08-01T20:47:13.892+01:00Random Scenes from ARIAA post to random moments collected across the ARIA anime seasons which don't really warrant a post by itself. I've accumulated these over time and finally have enough to post!<br /><br />I'll start with ARIA the Natural Episode 12...something about Milk and Summer.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=gotmilk2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/gotmilk2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />It turns out milk in Italy is the best I've drank so far. None of that tasteless Hong Kong stuff or semi-tasty British/Japanese milk. A true full cream milk. So good I even bothered to take a picture of the milk carton.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=gotmilk3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/gotmilk3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Episode 9 of The Natural saw Akari talking Chrysanthenum, and how Venice grew to love the plant after Marco Polo brought it back from his travels in China. I did indeed see some chrysanthenum doorknobs!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=doorhandle.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/doorhandle.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Episode 6 of the Natural. Not exactly Venice-related but look at Akari - baseball anyone?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=baseball.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/baseball.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />On Episode 6 of the Origination, we see that Neo-Venezia has adopted Euros as the official currency!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=euros.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/euros.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=2002eurozone1eurocentrev240.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/2002eurozone1eurocentrev240.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br />Retrieved 01 August, 2008 from: "Euro Coin Sets from Italy", <a href="http://www.eurocoins.co.uk/2002italyeurosets.html">http://www.eurocoins.co.uk/2002italyeurosets.html</a> <br /><br /><br />Episode 1 of the Origination. Alicia and Akari goes out shopping to buy some ingredients for a tea party. One of the stalls they visit is a floating vegetable stall. I managed to see the real thing!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=veggieboat.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/veggieboat.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />My picture was taken in the East Castello region. I've called this region a <i><a href="http://veniceorigination.blogspot.com/2008/05/hill-of-hope.html">different face</a></i> of Venice in an earlier post, which Episode 5.5 of the Origination said the same thing a month later (timestamp 2:55)!<br /><br />Last but not least, in Episode 5.5, that stone figurehead at the Basilica di San Marco which Akari goes to "meet" at her secret spot really exists.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=basilicalady.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/basilicalady.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div>Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-18762807835815089312008-07-28T21:08:00.009+01:002008-07-29T12:40:59.766+01:00The VaporettoARIA the Natural Ep10 involved the extensive use of the Vaporetto, known in English as a "Water Bus". I personally found them to be a slow and relaxing way to travel. The docking/disembarking/boarding procedure at each stop was far quicker than I imagined.<br /><br />Alice buys the tickets and tells Aika it's the same price wherever you go. That is indeed true - for 75 minutes! Each one-way ticket is valid for as many rides as you want, as long as it's within 75 minutes of it being stamped with a machine (pre-stamped in the ARIA scenario). This ticket is called the <i>Corsa Semplice</i> and is incredibly bad value for money at tourist rates of approx €7! Go get a 12/24 hour valid ticket instead (€14/€16 in April 2008) and ride, ride, and ride some more! Venetian residents actually have far cheaper rates.<br /><br />My tickets. The red one is for the bus while the blue and white one bearing remarkable resemblance in ARIA is the Vaporetto.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=vaporetto03.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/vaporetto03.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Vaporetto scene comparison. Yes I'm aware the Traghetto is in the way for my picture, and no I don't have a better picture. Pretty sad but oh well!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=vaporetto02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/vaporetto02.jpg"border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />All the Vaporettos I went on had typical European plastic seats and they were all forward facing. Nowhere near as cosy as the interior of the ARIA vaporettos - until I accidently stumbled upon a picture of a "historic motoscafi". The motoscafi is a water bus but of a smaller size of what we know as a Vaporetto. The modern motoscafi interior is similar to a modern vaporetto. I'd hazard a guess and assume they were also similar in the past!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=vaporetto01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/vaporetto01.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br />Retrieved 28th July, 2008 from <b>Terminal Fusina - Venezia - Fleet</b> <a href="http://www.terminalfusina.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=118&Itemid=311&lang=en">http://www.terminalfusina.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=118&Itemid=311&lang=en</a><br /><br /><br />One blooper I noticed in ARIA, the Vaporettos board and deboard at the front and rear which would be the only way to create a scenario such that Aika and Alice loses Akari in that episode. The real-life Vaporettos only board/deboard efficiently at the front!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=vaporetto04.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/vaporetto04.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Last thing I have to say is - ACTV (the transport company) is rather dull! The newer Vaporettos (circa 1990) have <b>no</b> seating right at the front. This renders a panoramic cruise up and down Venice's famed Grand Canal impossible in the far future (unless you take a Gondola/Water taxi). I was incredibly lucky to get the older models on all my rides.Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-52524091371755058632008-07-25T12:57:00.004+01:002008-07-25T13:16:20.483+01:00The messages of ARIA (part 2)My slow re-watching of ARIA continues and I've finally finished ARIA the Natural. The Natural was a lot of pure slice-of-life with many episodes focussing on the "experience" of the characters rather than carrying particular "messages".<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">Navigation 01: その カーニバルの出逢いは…/That Meeting At The Carnival...</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">There are times when courage is necessary but if you open your arms, you may have new encounters in the most unexpected places.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">Navigation 04: </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"> その ネオ・ベネツィア色の心は…/That Neo-Venezia Coloured Heart...</span></span><br /><br /><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Many attempts at achieving an objective may fail but one must always remember that you will succeed in the end.<o:p></o:p></span> <br /><br /><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" class="MsoNormal">Navigation 05: その 春の日にみつけたものは…/その 雨の日の素敵は…<br />The Things We Found On That Spring Day.../That Rainy Day's Honesty...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">The discovering of certain things/experiences is not possible without failure.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">What one discovers after failure may be of greater value than the original objective.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">Navigation 06: その 鏡にうつる笑顔は…/That Smile Reflected In The Mirror...</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Just like how mirrors reflect your own image, other people whom you interact with reflect your own heart.</span></p><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">Navigation 13: その いちばん新しい想い出に…/That Newest Memory...</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">You can meet past people and feel their emotions by seeing what they leave behind.</span></p><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">Navigation 18: その 新しい自分に…/That New Me...</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">You can only be yourself.<span style=""> </span>It is impossible to completely emulate and “become” another person.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">Navigation 23: </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"> その 海と恋と想いと…/That Sea, Love And Thoughts....</span><br /><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><br />Any encounter you have is possibly a miracle (well, with the laws of probability, it is!).<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Important feelings are something which you grow and nurture over time.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">Navigation 24: </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"> その 明日のウンディーネに…/That Tomorrow's Undine...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"> People have a tendency to magnify the bad things in life, and end up making it far worse than it actually is.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Good moments and bad moments cannot be taken for granted</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><br />Just for fun, I also tried rating individual episodes of the Natural to come out with an average.<br />6 = Average<br />7 = Good<br />8 = Very good<br />9 = Excellent<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=arias2rate.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/arias2rate.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Came out with an average of 7.27 and comes out slightly lower than The Animation (7.46). The Natural didn't really have a huge "WOW" episode but was consistently good throughout.Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-15747305219657881652008-07-20T09:45:00.001+01:002008-07-29T12:50:09.294+01:00The Caffe FlorianI've finally found the settings for commenting.<br /><b>As of July 20, NO registration is required to comment.</b><br /><br />I shall attempt to make up for my lack of updates with a mega-post which I've been withholding ever since this blog began.<br /><br />Piazza San Marco boasts three Coffee Houses: The Quadri, The Lavena, and The Florian. The Quadri is in fact the oldest of the three, followed by the Florian, then the Lavena. The Quadri boasts grand rooms and chandeliers but in my opinion, the artwork plastered around the Florian has a higher uniqueness factor.<br /><br />The animated series of ARIA used the Caffe Florian several times during its run, most prominently in the Origination Episode 03. Only God knows how much the ARIA crew actually paid them.<br /><br />We start with the exterior. I took my picture just as a storm was coming in thus the lighting.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian04.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian04.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />This is what Hahi-chan would be facing as she comes in through the entrance.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian08.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian08.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The interior of the Caffe is just as depicted in ARIA except it looks older and more like a royal family place because of the laminated wood which is rather hard to draw in anime (thus ARIA used an ordinary shade of brown). Look in the corner and you'll see the statue, as depicted in ARIA. Absolutely stunning artwork on all corners of the walls...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian01.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />...and even the ceiling. Yes, this is the ceiling!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian09.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian09.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The archways linking the different rooms. I did not realise my lens cap had got into the way until I was a long way away from Venice. :/<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian05.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian05.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The Alfresco dining experience is an option (with surcharge) but I've always preferred indoor dining and with artwork like the Florian it was a no-brainer.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian03.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian03.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Something to avoid. The orchestra comes in the afternoon and you will get an automatic surcharge of €10 when they're around. That is no good when you could just sit nearby to listen to them for free which is what I exactly did in the midst of a thunderstorm! Besides, the Violin was so grossly out of tune that evening which is totally unacceptable for such a posh place. Definately the worst rendition of Andrea Bocelli's "Con Te Partiro'" I'll hear in a very long time! The other 2 Caffes also have their own bands.<br /><br />The indoor rooms are equipped with Bose speakers playing Italian music at a low volume. I had my food while listening to the likes of Vivaldi which was simply great.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian02.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Time to bust an ARIA myth. No, the alfresco dining areas <b>do not</b> follow the shadow of the Campanile. With 3 Caffes competing, the Florian does not have the God-given right to occupy the whole Piazza San Marco!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian10.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Enough babbling, and it's time to actually see the food!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian11.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian11.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The coffee counter and the outrageously priced Tiramisu cake.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian07.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian07.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Easily the most expensive breakfast and coffee I'll have in my life. A cup of Caffe Latte costs around €10 by itself which is extremely steep. My mum decided to work out value-for-money and decided to go for the breakfast which costs €31 and includes a Coffee of your choice, which I of course picked the Latte!<br /><br />The food was simply fantastic, and it is an unforgettable once in a lifetime experience. I had felt Venice was rather dull but this food made me see the light, seriously! The coffee had a deep aftertaste which you don't experience at all in the sugar-filled places which we call Starbucks. The whole experience is in a completely different league.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian06.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian06.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />My mood was the same as Hahi-chan. I was very uneasy and nervous!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian14.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian14.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The bill.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian12.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian12.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />With such a memorable experience, I surely needed souvenirs! I therefore took the courtesy of taking away the 3 bottles of jam which came unopened with the breakfast, 2x paper napkins and sugar satchets with the crest of the Florian. I also sneakily took away my cloth napkin! Some are on show here and there's a blog spoiler in this shot as well.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=florian13.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/florian13.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />What a post, and it took me 2 hours to put this together!Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-19084659012055554332008-07-15T22:46:00.000+01:002008-07-15T23:02:20.553+01:00GraduationGraduation.<br /><br />Everyone changes gradually.<br /><br />The myriad of events which have taught me,<br /><br />The people I have met up to this day,<br /><br />With my emotions filled with gratitude I say<br /><br />"Thank You"<br /><br />But since this is a blog, I'm not at all embarassed to write this!<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />My studies have drawn to a close in Quirksville, Europe and my parents have come a long way here to celebrate graduation with me.<br /><br />Now, I've never really liked Quirksville very much so far but with my dad's "filter" (ala the Akari filter quoted in ARIA the Natural), I've come to appreciate Quirksville much more than ever before.<br /><br />I'm a rather cynical person but it's amazing what positive thinking (ala ARIA) can do to your life!Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-54843110724755270492008-07-08T19:03:00.001+01:002008-07-29T12:51:41.908+01:00ARIA the Origination Ep5.5 - Sestiere di CastelloThe DVD-only episode of ARIA the Origination came out last week and it covered one of my favourate areas of Venice - Sestiere di Castello. Akari goes for a stroll in that area.<br /><br />One of the first visible landmarks is this bridge.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=castello2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/castello2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br />Photo by YP, Retrieved 8th July, 2008 <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/tlseyann/Venezia082007/photo#5102631981107400658">http://picasaweb.google.com/tlseyann/Venezia082007/photo#5102631981107400658</a><br /><br />There is then a fork in the road. Akari decides to stick to the coastal promonade and takes the right fork. She soon arrives at the Giardini Pubblici.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=castello1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/castello1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br />Image retrieved from <a href="http://maps.google.com">http://maps.google.com</a><br /><br />Akari also goes laundry hunting.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=castello4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/castello4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />We catch a glimpse of the towers at the Arsenale - the naval station. The Arsenale towers also feature in the cover of ARIA vol 5 manga.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=castello3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/castello3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Tiny alleys...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=castello5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/castello5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Akari at a shop. I only saw one canal boasting some sense of "busy-ness" to have all these shops so I incude a photo of it. There is a continuity error on part of the producers as when Akari comes out of the shop, the canal has magically vanished!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=castello7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/castello7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The end of the Castello segment, featuring the fortress-like walls of the Arsenale.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=castello6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/castello6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div>Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-8878882189867717002008-07-02T23:50:00.001+01:002008-07-29T12:52:57.700+01:00The hunt for Orange PlanetWhile I was in Venice, I was hunting down various "key" buildings on my walks and planned routes to take me through the most likely locations. One of the buildings I was hoping to find was Orange Planet. ARIA did not give any definate geographical clues for this one.<br /><br />Clue 1: An imposing archway with a canal underneath.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=opx2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/opx2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Clue 2: A castle wall.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=opx3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/opx3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Clue 3: A causeway across water. This made me route my walk along the northernmost shore of Venice.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=opx5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/opx5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Clue 4: Orange Planet is in a tight, built-up area. This actually made me go around Rialto a bit.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=opx4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/opx4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Clue 5: In the unaired Epiphania navigation, Alice chases Athena across Venice at night, meaning no Vaporettos come into play, which means Orange Planet is on the main Island.<br /><br />I came up empty. I have to conclude that the Orange Planet building is pretty much a complete work of fiction. I simply had to post this though, because of the effort involved while I was at Venice.<br /><br />The closest building in Venice (and it's not even close) to resemble Orange Planet is the old Molino Stucky factory, now restored as the Hilton hotel.<br /><br />This is easily the most imposing structure I've seen in the whole of Venice (clue 1) and looks a bit like a castle. The jagged design at the top of the building reminds me of the wall shown in ARIA (clue 2). I did not see this kind of design in other parts of Venice.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=stucky.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/stucky.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div>Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-82350516926987773482008-06-30T22:42:00.001+01:002008-07-29T12:53:35.454+01:00Cameo from ARIA the NaturalWhat is seen below is your Gondolier's uniform in real-life.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=gondolier.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/gondolier.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br />Image retrieved from:<br /><b>Venice Bedrooms</b> <a href="http://www.venicebedrooms.com/history.html">http://www.venicebedrooms.com/history.html</a> Accessed 30th June, 2008.<br /><br />In episode 10 of ARIA the Natural at 00:10, we see generic shots while Akari goes on her usual introduction. One of them is a moored Gondola with a shirt and straw hat. These are the Gondolier's uniform in real life!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=gondolieruniform.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/gondolieruniform.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div>Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-71324027672027311672008-06-24T21:21:00.001+01:002008-07-29T12:55:18.519+01:00Traghetto Santa SofiaThe Traghetto, as explained in ARIA is a gondola ferry service across the Grand Canal which saves time and walking since there are only three (functioning) bridges across the Canal.<br /><br />Now, the Gondola as we all know is an expensive but the defining icon of Venice which meant I needed to get on one, but the fact that I'm such a cheapskate didn't help the cause - but the Traghetto is the answer to that. The ride lasts only 1 minute but costs a measly €0.60 standard (my second ride elsewhere was only €0.50).<br /><br />It is amusing to see the "commuter rush" even in Venice, with <b>two</b> gondolas shuttling back and forth at some points during the morning, but the service reduced to a single gondola shuttle during the day. The Traghetto are manned by two gondeliers, wearing the same black and white striped uniform identical to that of the standard hire gondolas.<br /><br />As I was wandering through Venice hours after arrival, I was on the constant lookout for Traghetto crossing points, and the first one that I came across was the very Traghetto S.Sofia which was used as a location in both ARIA the manga and anime. A very lucky encounter indeed!<br /><br />Unfortunately, the number of passengers was sparse at 3pm meaning I didn't get the chance to stand but it does happen during crowded trips! Enough text boredom - bring in the pictures!<br /><br />The approach to the South end of the Traghetto.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=ssofia2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/ssofia2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Looking away from the Grand Canal.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=ssofia3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/ssofia3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />A view across the canal, facing North.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=ssofia4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/ssofia4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The scene on the Grand Canal as I do the one minute crossing.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=ssofia5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/ssofia5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />A very lucky capture from a Vaporetto 2 days later of a Gondola pulling out, much like ARIA.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=ssofia6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/ssofia6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The Northern side of the Traghetto.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=ssofia1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/ssofia1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />This picture of mine during the morning rush was not taken at S.Sofia but it is self-explanatory. The Grand Canal really is far narrower than ARIA depicts it to be. I guess the widescreen doesn't help either!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=ssofia7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/ssofia7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />Although the Santa Sofia market was closed when I passed through for my Traghetto ride, it was in full swing 2 days later when I passed by early morning on a Vaporetto. The market is slightly out of the way of the tourist routes and I'm therefore under the impression that it would give a more "local" experience of Venice.<br /><br />This is where I have to go against ARIA. In episode 9 of the Origination, Alice described the Rialto market area as the second center of activity, aside from San Marco and has a more "local" feel. My experience of Rialto is it being packed with tourists and therefore I would recommend the fresh food market of S.Sofia instead.Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7125850813490740718.post-78779791164708565982008-06-17T21:24:00.001+01:002008-07-29T12:56:12.455+01:00My ARIA Story + Ep04 of ARIA the NaturalHaving been rather busy of late, I have been unable to to much research, but the good news is, I'm up to re-watching ARIA the Natural ep04. My first run was a marathon, the worst possible way to watch ARIA and now I'm enjoying at my own pace. Which is also the reason why the blog has been slow.<br /><br />In my RL, I have two people whom I can call "best friends". I became close with the first after watching Gundam SEED. One day, her MSN avatar was that of a "Haro", a Gundam mascot and it all started from this random chat! My second best friend was started when he randomly asked me about the Ichigo 100% manga. We had known each other for years at high school but it wasn't after we left, that we got close, so my best friends exist because of the world of anime/manga! Anime/manga = suteki na deai?<br /><br />Before I digress too much, the second best friend of mine suggested me to watch ARIA during the summer of 2006. I was not into slice of life back then, favouring shows which had plenty of action or hard comedy, with Fafner and School Rumble being my latest titles. However, I somehow decided to give ARIA a try in June 2007 and I was actually extremely bored at the start but I persisted. ARIA took time for me to grow and I eventually became hooked towards the end of The Animation. "Undine" is one of my favourate OPs.<br /><br />By the time I got to Natural I was really smiling through the whole episode, having discovered what a treasure ARIA really is. My impression of ARIA grew and improved the further I got into the show. I have also been amazed at the ARIA poster scans, drawn in watercolour by Amano-sensei and thought "now, this is REAL art!", having had a slight vendetta against the popularity of modern abstract art.<br /><br />The news of Origination could not have been any better and it by far exceeded my expectations. It has by far the best art of any anime series I've ever watched and was mindblowing. January 2008 also coincided with me handing in my dissertation for my degree and as a reward, I had wanted to go to Continental Europe before I left the region after my studies. My initial thoughts were either Amsterdam or Swiss/Austria but my fondness for ARIA had reached <i>slightly</i> unhealthy levels. I checked the fares on Easyjet and it was £50 return including taxes. The rest is history.<br /><br />In the early hours of April 1 2008, I watched the grand finale of ARIA (the Origination ep13) which was bittersweet. There was no time to re-watch it immediately as I had to leave for the airport immediately. Venice, here I come.<br /><br />Describing my Venice experience at this stage would be too "spoilery" for the sake of this blog. Stay tuned as I do have plenty of ideas still left to be researched!<br /><br />-----------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Episode 4 of The Natural was always something I wanted to research but unfortunately, I ended up fairly empty-handed, but I did pick up a few things.<br /><br />The Post Office is located in what seems like a converted Church. I took my maps out and tried looking for locations but it seems the post office is entirely fictional. Then comes Sora-kun, who wants to deliver a letter - fast.<br /><br />When Akari asks Sora about the delivery address, he becomes even more depressed. For the post office is in <b>Cannaregio</b> (as mentioned earlier by Akari as she arrived) is in the Northernmost district of Venice, while the wedding it turns out was at the <b>Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute</b> (pre-refurbishment!) being in the Southernmost area of Venice. It could take anywhere up to an hour by foot to get there - if you don't get lost - and people in general have a habit of under-exploring their own hometown.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=naturalep04salute.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/naturalep04salute.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Basilica_di_Santa_Maria_della_Salute.JPG"><br />Image to compare with from Wikipedia</a><br /><br />As for the letter collection system, unfortunately I saw conventional mailboxes rather than the rather elaborate method used in collecting and delivering mail in ARIA.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=postbox.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/postbox.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div><br /><br />The mailbags in ARIA better be watertight! Akari makes such a cute face here.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/?action=view¤t=disaster.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/a340_313x/ARIA/disaster.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></div>Inthernethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150698567675615719noreply@blogger.com4