Greetings ,
When I walk by the Main River, I watch the different boats that go past. Most of them are big and have engines, like the barges that carry goods along the river, or the tourist cruise boats. Sometimes you can see a sailboat, but it doesn't happen often. However, over the last couple of summers, a couple of gondolas have appeared.
In my mind, gondolas and Venice belong together. I haven't been to Venice, so I haven't seen them myself, but I have read about them and heard other people talk about them. It sounds great, moving along the canals with a gondolier doing all the work.
I haven't been in a gondola, but I have been punting on the Avon, when I visited Christchurch in New Zealand. Punts are similar to gondolas.
We spoke to our punter and learned about his job - how much money he made and how much of the year he worked. Christchurch is snowy and cold in winter, so people don't want to cruise along the river then. When we were there, it was nearly the end of the warm part of the year, so he told us about his plans for the winter break.
It was fun sitting in the boat and watching people on the river bank or on the little bridge we went under. The river wasn't very big, so we could wave to them and even call, "Hello".
And now we have gondolas on the Main River. I think it would be a great feeling, to be out on the water, with a fantastic view of the city, but without the noise of an engine. However, the Main River is a lot bigger than the Avon River in Christchurch. You can't say hello to people on the bank of the river or on the bridges here.
Then there are the other boats that use the Main and some of them are quite large. I am not sure how I would feel in a little gondola if a big barge or tourist boat came along. But it must be safe or they wouldn't let the gondolas be on the river.
Have you ever been in a gondola? Or a punt? In Venice or in another city? Did you enjoy the experience?
And what do you think of gondolas on the Main River? Would you go for a ride in one? Hit 'Reply' to share any stories or thoughts.
Have a great week,
Andrea
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