Taniap

Geo: 40.7288, 17.5774Had a sleep in today and missed breakfast. Was concerned the B&B may have come looking for me but no one seemed to care :(. Today I visited Grotte di Castellana, an hour from Ostuni, a cave system 60m long and up to 122m below the surface. Similar to the Margaret River caves, but much bigger. Very enjoyable. Back into Ostuni tonight for my last dinner so I returned to my favourite restaurant to order my same meal. They even gave me 'my' table. It's funny, some nights when I am at a restaurant on my own, people at other tables speak to me and involve me in their conversation, other nights they look at me like I am a freak on my own, and ignore me. Tonight is the second. The waitstaff are ... read more

Geo: 40.7288, 17.5774Jasper has been very quiet and I can tell by the tremor in his voice he is excited to be on the road today. I'm leaving Vasto for Puglia. Lots of kisses and ciao ciao as I left the Bontempo Suite. I get quite comfortable at each location as I become familiar with the owners and feel safe. The drive to Ostuni is about four hours, which I enjoy. Only difficulty is taking photos along the way. The strangest sight today on the highway, just outside of Bari. Girls started appearing in random spots along the roadside, sitting in chairs, standing near bushes, wearing suspenders, gstrings, negligees. This is midday, along a busy highway, in the middle of nowhere. I almost crashed the car rubbernecking. Jasper gave me no warning of this. Sorry no ... read more

Geo: 42.1127, 14.7096Not much to report today. It was quite cool (23•C) and the streets are bare on a Sunday. I took a drive to the Marina for a slice of pizza and a vino bianco. Received a surprise call from JoJo which brightened my day. I took the opportunity of wet weather this afternoon to make some travel plans for later this week to Puglia. Rose, bread, salami, pecorino and tartufo balsamic picnic in my room for dinner and an early night. Shops to visit tomorrow with a shopping order from G.... read more

Geo: 43.4403, 13.6074Had a great sleep last night on a very rare soft bed. Up at 7.30am to enjoy breakfast and met the other Aussies at the B&B. Unfortunately we chatted for an hour so didn't get on the road until 930am. Jasper directed me to the nearest beach, Spiaggia di Scossicci, only 8 minutes away. The gravel was very rough on the feet but the water was beautiful and very warm. Back in the car and I drove through various towns on the Riviera del Conero including Porto Recanati, Numana, Siroli and Baia Di Porto-Novo. Most beaches are pay beaches providing towels and loungers. I gave those a miss. No one needs to see my white skin. Enjoyed a nice lunch in Sirolo, without wine, and returned to find a parking ticket on my windshield. ... read more

Geo: 41.9023, 12.4581Today I saw the Pope. I don't even know what to say about it. It was an early start to be at Vatican City at 7.30am. Pilgrims start arriving at 5.30am to get a good seat. I wasn't sure what to expect so joined a tour group of 10 to try to get the best seat and was provided some background about Pope Francis and the Vatican before the Pope's arrival. I was in my seat by 8.30an with the Pope due at 10.30am. Pope Francis is the people's favourite, is very sociable and this is causing chaos. Every year the Pope holidays in July/August however Pope Francis chose against that this year do the Papal Audiences have continued, requiring the tour guides to continue working through the blistering summer. He loves the people. ... read more