Andre and Wendy: Southern tip of Puglia

16,000 steps

160 kms driving loop

Started today off with breakfast included, wow it was a great breakfast. Yesterday we ordered 2 sandwiches, they were huge so we split, now we have lots for lunch today, we will find somewhere to picnic I am sure.

One of the other couples in our B&B are French, we asked our hostess if most Italians can speak French, yes. We have noticed a couple of times when we couldn't be helped in English we were able to speak French.

Headed off South, got as far as we went yesterday in about 2 hours in less than 30 minutes, we stopped a lot yesterday. Today we stopped and saw caves, natural swimming holes, a basilica that the Pope visited in 2008, watchtowers, beaches, and again lots and lots of empty tourist towns. This area certainly relies on the tourist.

There were 339 watchtowers built, and paid for by a new tax (sound familiar). Anyone that lived within 12miles of the sea had to pay the tax as the towers were there to warn them of pirates approaching, very interesting.

We rounded the very furthest southern point of the heel in Santa Maria di Leuca and headed back towards Otranto on the Western side of the heel. We did hit some terrible rain when we rounded the heel, felt sorry for the people we saw out on bicycles and motorcycles, they would have been drenched. Luckily for us we were right on the side of the storm so it didn't last too long, but it did stop us from going into Gallopoli, which was on Andres list, maybe tomorrow.

A rest break back at our B&B and we are off to visit the town of Otranto. This is our last night here and we haven't visited old town yet, which is about 1KM from where we are staying, a nice walk along the coast. This is a very pretty small Old Town. A nice castle and the beautiful cathedral which all the floor is mosaic tiles. Increadible. There is one main little shopping street, which is the most life we have seen in the last 2 days of the ghost towns we have been in. I guess this town is more on the tourist route.

Had pizzas for supper at a little pizza place that our host recommended, it was fantastic. Great deal on wine 1/2 liter for 5 Euros 1 other couple there with us that were from Red Deer, really afraid who they are voting for next election but we didn't go there. They have been here for a month, it is a little small to spend a month here, but they have friends with a condo here that they are using. They said there is one other apartment being used in the condo right now along with them. They leave on Saturday and have a whole lot of travelling left to do.

After dark when we are walking home, nice looking back at old town lit up at night. A beautiful moon tonight and we see starts, hoping for nice weather again tomorrow as we move on.