Southern Italy
After Bari, we drove south towards Italy's boot and the Trulli Country. Trulli area is described as having 'rolling green hills, criss-crossed by stone walls and with vineyards and country lanes preserving a wonderful rustic character'. Sounds lovely doesn't it?! However, to be honest, this was the beginning of many disappointing descriptions as we read the different 'Italy' guide books. It seems all the guide books' authors describe Italy in such romantic ways with 'wonderful this' and 'unique that', however, it is quite obvious that these authors have never been to Eastern Europe / Turkey / Syria. It is these countries which truly fulfil such wondrous desciptions.
Within the Trulli country we stopped for lunch at Alberobello. A most unusual little town (World Heritage Listed) with beehive houses all painted white. Actually, not unlike the beehive houses in Syria, the main difference (and refreshing point) is that the Alberobello beehive houses are being well preserved. (Perhaps the World Heritage Listing organisation should visit Syria? :) After a lovely little lunch and Mum getting lost whilst snapping away in awe at the pretty town, Hasty was on his way taking us to our next destination.
MATERA
Matera - where Mel Gibson filmed 'The Passion of Christ'- consists of stone houses and caves carved out of and into the rocky ravines. We had a lovely cave home and a fantastic host. However, although we had a wonderful stay, we were actually again disappointed with descriptions such as "Matera is absolutely unique!". Yes, a great time was had by Mum, Dad and I (and it was here we found the best icecream on this earth!!), however, Matera still pales in comparison to Kapidokya in Turkey. Gee - I'm really sounding like a harsh critic, aren't I?? (Apologies - just speaking with honesty :)
NAPLES
Well, Naples proved to be a very emotional time for the Bergstrom Safari. Renowned for it's crime, Mafia, petty theft and (worst of all!!!).. car theft - it was here we decided to say goodbye to our dearest member of the Bergstrom Safari - Hasty. Yes, Hasty - now a worldly wise and well travelled trusty steed felt too unsafe in Italy -so it was here he ended his duty and his part of the Safari. On the 29th June, Hasty caught a cruise liner back to Abu Dhabi (ok..ok - so maybe it wasn't a luxury cruise liner, perhaps it was an ordinary cargo ship.) Boo hoo. With a fond hug and kiss goodbye, Hasty was on his way back home.
Of course, we couldn't pass through Naples without a visit to the old hot spots (pardon the pun - tee hee) of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Both thriving cities in the BC era until Mt Vesuvius blew it's top and covered them in lava, ash etc. Rather impressive. Particularly impressive was the Casa dei Vettii and the Lupanaro. The first, Casa dei Vettii, was the home of a wealthy family who believed that status was measured by the size of the phallus / penis. Therefore, adorning the main entrance of their home was a lovely descriptive painting depicting a very large membered male weighing his jewels for all to see! The second impressive complex, was the Lupanaro. This, was, of course, Pompeií's top brothel. Each pokey stone room had rudimentary stone beds (rather uncomfortable - yes, I did double check :) and each room was identified by the very intact paintings above the door (indicating which services were available in that particular room!). Yes, apparently Pompeii was renowned for it's love, life, lovely ladies and goddesses - all evidenced by the writings and graffiti found in and around Pompeii. Mmm... must have been hot, explosive times (heh heh - pardon my sense of humour - yet again :)
And so with the realisation that Italians have always lived in a hot, explosive environment (? a reason for their temperament?), we then began our travels to central and northern Italy.. wondering what other exciting things may cross our paths.
2007-08-01 14:37:59 GMT
