approaching venezia

according to henry james it is compulsory to approach venice for the first time by water, because to arrive by train or bus on the ignoble bridge is like entering a palace through the back door. it is far more respectful and grand to appraoch the bride of the sea at her front door, the sea. the traghetto from marco polo airport meanders very slowly through la laguna guided by posts in the water through the sand bars, past murano and the lido to venice. the boat kept grazing her belly on the sand bars, which is also what happens on the waikato river around rangiriri, a bizarre connection I know...