Now to the other side

If a straight line was drawn from Gallipoli across Italy to the eastern coast it would almost cut through Otranto, the most eastern town in Italy and that is where we went today, a place that was inhabited in the period 8th century BC to 8th century AD by an Indo-European speaking tribe, the Apulians

Off the coast the Strait of Otranto connects the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea and the inner harbour is home to mainly small vessels though today the Emerald Sakara was berthed, a super yacht that undertook its maiden cruise on August 5th this year.

Like all large towns in Italy, particularly those close to water there is a very distinct old town area and Otranto is no different, the old town starting at the Castello Aragonese and rising up to the Cathedral which was consecrated in 1088

The most distinctive aspect of the Cathedral is the 12th century mosaic floor which covers the whole of the nave, sanctuary and the apse.

Throughout the alleyways of the old town there are numerous tourist type shops with an emphasis on ceramics 

 This was not our lunch but a couple of restaurants were trying to woe in the punters by displaying a lunch plate for two

Early in the afternoon with the temperature relatively high and moisture running from the body we returned to the car, hid all our valuables, picked up our towels and headed to the nearest swimming area which was in front of the castle. The water was beautifully clear, the beach was sandy apart from around a metre where the waves were breaking and some shells had been unearthed and with the water warm we had what will be our last swim in the Adriatic.

Tramontana Maestrale describes the predominant wind in this area, that blowing from the northwest and today it was blowing through at 25 kph which was quite comforting as it gave some relief from the 30-35 degree temperature.

Tomorrow we start the drive back north and now there is only 10 days left of the European leg of our trip.

Kms driven to date 4681

Kms walked to date 612.3 

Spent on Diesel €309.25

Highest price paid to date for diesel €1.839/L Bari

Lowest price paid to date for diesel €1.479/L Freiburg

Spent on tolls €81.10