Another sunny day so it’s off to the main tourist town of Gargano,Vieste, this time by the more major route 89.
Vieste shows all the signs of being another town not quite ready for the usual tourist onslaught and we struggle to find a cafe offering snacks and coffee. We steer clear of heavier lunches as we know the type of meals provided in the evening at La Chiusa.
Vieste, again with ‘Greek’ white buildings and quaint narrow streets, is at its best in the glorious sunshine and from the vantage point of the castle we are able to look down on many thousands more beach umbrellas and tables. The size of the carparks behind the beach gives an indication of the hordes who obviously invade the town during the summer.
One memorable monument in Vieste is the Pietra Amara ( Bitter Stone ) where 7000 local citizens were beheaded by the Turkish army. Leaving town with that sobering thought in mind we head south along the coast to superb bays such as La Testa di Gargano and Pugnochiuso ( closed fist ). Unfortunately, as with most bays along this coastline they have been taken over by large hotel groups and are no longer accessible to mere mortals such as ourselves. We did, however, find a small pebbly beach at Cala di Pergola which had escaped the notice of the corporate world and was far from the madding crowd.
Dinner back at La Chiusa where we meet up with New Zealand couple who ask if they can pick our brains on the area at breakfast next morning. Delighted to oblige as these are first people we have met for some time who recognize that we have any brains.
Gailism of the day- while driving along late in the day Gail says “ May I turn off the air-conditioning, Oh,I just have!” That’s what I call a consensus-style decision-making!
The Obese Ferret
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