Puglia

Well, Puglia continues to amaze. Today was a day to visit trulli houses and learn about the origin and development of this architecture here in Italy. So today after breakfast we boarded a van and drove about an hour to Alberobello in the Itria Valley. We met there a very articulate and funny local guide named Mimmo. He showed us a small cathedral built by funds from Italians who made it in America, but then also showed us a restored trulli house with a description of the building process (much like an igloo, but double walled). Roofs are constructed of limestone in a very artistic conical form.

It was very interesting to see the inside, but the beauty of them is best appreciated from the outside. A few views of these unique dwellings make it clear why this town, and trulli in particular, are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.






Here are a couple of trulli on roadsides where we cycled today.

After visiting the trulli we stopped at a small town on our way back to Ostuni for lunch; nice Puglian architecture was evident everywhere.




Local architecture

I continue to be amazed by the beautiful countryside we are privileged to cycle through. Here are some photos.



Ever present poppies



A typical country road

After biking 30 miles on a beautiful day, Kevin, Ann and I had not had enough, so we continued on to a coastal fishing village called Villanova, where we had a gelato and a couple of refreshing drinks



There were beautiful olive groves along the way



Here is Kevin biking on a jetty

At day's end, we had the most incredible meal yet at a Taverna in Ostuni. Antipasti out the wazoo, primi was black pasta made with black olives, and main course of turkey, all fixed with recipes harking back to the Middle Ages. The coup de grace was the dolce (dessert) which was a flan dish with berries that was the most delicious dessert I may have ever eaten. OK, I don't know how you can ever say that, but let me just say it brought tears to my eyes.

Then, a guitarist came in and played a few italian songs, bit gradually he began playing American and British classic rock melodies; the singalong became quite the event, with David playing tambourine (I joined in later) and everyone singing along.






Quite the wild celebration...

A very memorable evening.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Trulli amazing