I woke up really early to watch the sun rise and it paid off:

Sant’ Erasmo is a largely agricultural island where we had never been.  So, we took the bus—but it’s a boat!  The #13 goes there and we had a nice ride through the lagoon.  Here’s the parking lot when we got off the boat:

Bicycles and these little vehicles call “ape” (bee) are the main form of transportation:

Getting off the boat we didn’t know which way to go, so I thought we would just follow the crowd but they split 50/50. We went left. Our peaceful walk was through the artichoke fields and some old homes. Sant Erasmo produces small violet artichokes which are in every market in Venice.

We got to the church in about 45 minutes. The facade was totally unadorned except for this door:

Ken noticed the vap stop there so we waited. I asked the mariner if this boat goes to Fondamente Nove and he said you will have to go on the other boat at our original stop. I imagined we would get off and wait a minute to change but he actually pulled our boat right alongside the other and we just walked from boat to boat.

We came home and had lunch and rested for a while. I’m continuing the online exploration of potential rentals.

I really wanted to eat in a restaurant for dinner. Promessi Sposi was fully booked, so I called Vecia Cavana and we could go at 7:00. There had been a big wedding at the Giusti church. We watched them loading the flower boat afterwards and saw the guests, including many young men in tails, outside, this older couple must have left early:

The reception, with a string quartet, was in the big courtyard of the Combo.

Our pre-dinner walk included the Miracoli Church. The light was really pretty on this building behind it:

We were the first ones at the old school restaurant. The waiters wore black jackets, white shirts and black ties and seemed very officious and at the same time made us feel very comfortable. It felt good to be in a lovely restaurant, just the two of us lovebirds. Here’s a picture of the interior which I’m glad I took because in 15 minutes the place was full:

They offered a complimentary cocktail to start, but it was really sweet so I ordered a glass of prosecco. We shared an appetizer of mussels and clams in a great tomato broth–they were just OK. Then Ken had spaghetti alla Busara–with shrimp and slightly spicy tomato sauce. I had the Fritura which I have been wanting for a week:

The food overall was good but not great. The experience, however, was wonderful!

We walked the short walk home–too full and happy again.