Wed, 15 June 2016, 3:30 pm: As our public transport boat pulls away from the dock, another boat pulls in to take its slot.
I guess all the visitors in line behind us who didn’t make it onto our boat will now stand there for thirty minutes and then be herded onto that next blue line boat (above on the left).
Eight minutes into the ride, key Venice landmarks begin to come into view.
On the other side of the island looms a gigantic cruise ship, one of many that deposits tourists onto Venice all summer long. 
Towers and buildings you’ve only seen in photos gradually appear as the boat motors through the water.
The ride from the airport’s docks to the various stops on Venice proper takes between an hour and ninety minutes. You’ll want to know before you board which stop is nearest to your hotel. 
San Michele in Isola is a Catholic church on an island in the Venetian lagoon.
In addition to all the airport transport boats and water taxis, you’ll often see personal speedboats and private yachts moving around the lagoon.
I had one of the seat rows all to myself despite the crowd. I think the boat was heavy with luggage, restricting the number of additional passengers who could board.
Colonna is a stop on the island of Murano for Alilaguna and other transport boats. It’s the first stop on our ride from the airport.
When tourists stop on Murano it’s for the glass-blowing demonstrations at the numerous glass factories and shops.
Dark clouds portend the rain to come on this, our first evening in Venice.
Ours is the second stop. NOW we’ll be in Venice.