Gallipoli
Pasticceria in Ugento
Today is Louise’s birthday. She tells us she is turning 39.
We are staying in Ugento. Ugento is a small, non touristy town in Puglia. We are staying on a typically Italian street. We start the day off at the local pasticceria with croissants and cappuccinos. They have a beautiful selection of delicate pastries. We buy some for this evening.
No one in the cafe speaks English, but everyone is very friendly.
Gallipoli Fortress
We next head off in the car for the short drive to Gallipoli. We park just on the edge of the old town and walk cross the bridge.
There are great views of the fortress with an interesting fish sculpture in the water. Lance thinks it’s an urchin but I interpret it as a fish having acupuncture (and not too happy about it).
Coastline and Churches
It is very hot out…over 30 degrees Celsius. The town is not crowded. Views of the coastline are made gorgeous by the vibrant, blue waters. There are so many churches and the bells announce the noon hour.
Inner Streets
The quiet, narrow side streets offer shade, breezes and views of everyday life. I see home made pasta put out to dry in the hot sun, protected from insects with netting. This is what you expect from Italy.
Along the Beach Front
Overcome with the romance of Italy, Louise and Lance have a tender moment overlooking the beach.
The beach is filled with umbrellas and sunbathing people. You need to walk down stairs to get to the beach.
Looking Around Old Town Gallipoli
We walk through the old town shopping and checking out the seafood restaurant menus. When they see us, restaurant owners approach, tempting us by holding up live lobsters wildly thrashiing their claws and tails. The display has the opposite effect on me than the owner’s intention. It makes me sad for the lobster.
I make Lance pose beside a Superman statue. He forgot to pack their beach towels for the trip so Louise bought Lance a Superman towel she found on sale in an Albanian grocery store.
The heat is getting to Lance. Actually all of us are quite hot. Thunderstorms are forecast for 1pm but as usual the weather forecast is wrong and it’s sunny all day.
Birthday Lunch near the Greek Fountain
Our plan was to have Louise’s birthday lunch outside, overlooking the Mediterranean but we unanimously agree on being inside the coldest air-conditioned restaurant we can find. The food is fine but when you order swordfish, all you get is swordfish. You need to order your veggies separately. John orders a green salad and all he gets is cut up lettuce with nothing on it. Hmmm.
We check out the Greek Fountain before heading back to the car. Lance is doing really well with driving the sometimes very narrow Italian streets.
Afternoon Break
We head to a grocery store near our apartment where we load up on prosecco, copious amounts of water, salad fixings, breakfast food and lemon sherbet before taking a break from the late afternoon heat.
Evening in Ugento
We have a light supper before heading out to see Ugento. The temperature has cooled and the light breeze makes it perfect.
It is only a few blocks to Ugento’s old town with it’s castle, cathedral, guard tower and ancient buildings with their beautiful patinas.
We are the only tourists around. The streets are quiet except for a few locals here and there and a couple restaurants with diners in the main square. Click here for a short video.
We check out the cathedral. There is no one inside except for us. We walk past the castle and back towards our apartment. Older people are on chairs sitting on the road Infront of their homes, chatting with friends and family. The song of the cicadas fill the night air. So lovely.
