01/10 I'm all for the Navy!














I get it! The Navy thing... I finally get it. Not just the pretty boys in uniform but the whole military thing. Let me explain...

After months of waiting for identities to be checked, passports to be varified, Genrals to be pacified, we were granted entry into the Venetian Arsenale. Now, you may recall we've been there before to see 'Groupama 3' (the awesome French trimaran) but this was something else. Though a historical monument, the Arsenale is still an Italian Naval base and we were given a tour of the grounds and got to take photos of pretty much everything (not the Carabinieri). There were some pretty cool things lying around...

THE OLDEST HYDRAULIC CRANE
in Italy? the world? Not sure, but it still works! They don't use it though, just for show... left over from the good ol' days.

A 'U - BOAT'...

A REALLY OLD BRIDGE - IT SCARES ME THAT THEY STILL USE IT... SEE THE LITTLE YELLOW 'POST-IT'!

There were old buildings from the 1500s and dry docks from the Venetian expansion in 1473. There were modern bunkers and bridges and boats built yesterday! It was a wonderful picture book of Venice's history told by the men who fought for it.

After a wonder around, we made our way to the naval museum. Now I'm pretty fond of museums and stuff, but "national defence / war / military" museums tend to be a bit dusty. All bits of bullets and mennequins dressed in impossible uniforms. Well friends, I can try give you the skinny on the Venetian Naval Museum but to be fair... you've got to see it. Sure, there are a few mannequins and bits of bullets but I was pleasantly surprised... pleasant, hrmph! I was blown away!

REALLY COOL MODELS OF REALLY COOL BOATS IN THE MUSEUM

I must confess that I've never really got the whole 'history of war' thing. Sure, history is cool and there are a lot of wars in it but I mostly focus on who won and move on. I thought the fascination with the war itself and war toys was something boys loved because it was all about blood, bombs, machines and generally getting dirty. Well, wondering around the Arsenale and the museum, I got my fill of wartime stories today (both general overviews and intimate accounts). And you know what? The blood and the bombs are the least of it.

I was captivated and enjoyed myself thoroughly. It's a sad but curious thing; wanting to kill each other has fueled most of man's greatest achievements. These ideas, inventions and the solutions to ridiculous and improbable problems were realised through the need to be the best. It's not just a testosterone driven game... these men are extraordinary.

MY FAVOURITES. A CHINESE WARSHIP (LEFT) AND A COLLAPSIBLE DINGY (RIGHT)

There is another naval museum around the corner but that's only by appointment and more identity checks... I can't wait!





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