THE FERRY TRIP

The transition from Croatia was certainly an interesting one!  Hasty, Walle, Dad and Liza crossed the Adriatic Sea on a Croatian Ferry.  Dad and Walle took to the decks and Liza calmly sat herself in the inside seating area.. complete with chairs and tables a-plenty.  However, in the space of a few minutes, people streamed in to the cabin, like ants to their antnests - frantically grabbing chairs and 'barring' tables.  Middle-aged couples, granny's and children throwing their gear / belongings into an area... then quickly grabbing their things and rushing to another, as a better option became available.  Liza sat in disbelief as loud, vivacious Italians took over the room.  Half an hour later it became apparent that everyone knew each other and soon the people they were 'competing' against for tables, were all sharing food, conversation, jokes and laughs.  (Wierdness :).  

And then!!!!!  A one metre tall crucifix (yes, Jesus nailed to the cross) was bought into the room, along with a table, white cloth.. and, hey presto (or priesto).. the sitting cabin was turned into a church!  Rather funny, then, when Dad came in, started chatting and an elderly lady gave him a filthy look!  Welcome to Italy!  (...and we weren't even there yet!)

However it was this event which caused us to meet some wonderful Italians from Bari (the Italian port where we were to arrive).  After a wee chat we realised Michele and his friends were the perfect introduction to Italy.

First, they told us to follow them as we drove off the ferry, so that they could show us the way to the hotel.  Rather funny, considering that Dario initially drove off with us following, then, pulled over and asked us to wait 'uno momento'.  (He'd driven off without his friends).  Then, as we drove back and forth, around the port (trying to find the customs and exit), Dario drove out an 'Authorised Vehicles Only' exit.  No problems for the Italian car!  For us???  Well... the Officer raises his hands, 'Stop! Stop!'.. No no - this funny looking Arabic jeep, loaded to the brim with a full roof rack had to go out the other exit!  Luckily, Michele with a bit of Italian sweet-talking and 'per favora' had us driving out the wrong exit happily following the Italians.

On route to the hotel, Hasty soon became very Italian - Michele (sitting in the passenger's side) yells out to one of his friend's walking along the footpath.  With lots of 'ciaos' Dario's car and Hasty quickly pull over in busy evening traffic, conveniently double parking and partly blocking the single lane traffic.  With hazard lights blinking, none of this kaotic driving, swerving and highly illegal parking seemed to worry any of the Italians one little bit.  Man - love the anarchic traffic already! 

For our second night in Italy, Michele, Anna and their friends again became the perfect Italian hosts!  They gave us such a great 'local' tour and feel of the Old Town.... and most memorably, gave us a truly Italian dining experience.  We felt so Italian as all 12 of us sat around a large table with lots of talking, lots of gesticulating waving arms, lots of gorgeous Italian food, lots of loudness and lots,lots of atmosphere!

As mentioned - what an introduction to Italy and the Italians.  Perfect, since the times were a-changing for the Bergstrom Safari.  It was here, in Bari, that Mum had joined us (yay :)  ... and Walle was to farewell us :( 

For a small period of time, we were 4.  Nearing the end of our time in Bari, we had a wee champagne instead of coffee / fika just before Walle caught his bus and reminisced about what an amazing trip we had all had.  'Once in a lifetime' - is the only way to describe our memorable, wonderul journey.  The Bergstrom Safari baton had now been passed from one Bergstrom to another.  Then, as Dad, Mum and I drove from Bari, the Bergstrom Safari was again 3.  But a different 3.... with different, wonderful experiences awaiting us ahead :)