Ghai sas.....
Hope everyone is well. No excusee for not blogging sooner other than laziness. We have to actually walk about 500m to get internet access at the moment which is such hard work!
Here's my tips for the week:
Travel tip: Everything you ever heard about Italian drivers is true! Do not drive in Italy (especially the South West coast unless you are heavily insured and have a valium infusion in situ!
Boating tip: To remove stains from teak deckwork / tables etc (especially good for red wine stains!) you will need some lighter fluid (I used Zippo) and carpet stain remover (I used a spray can of Vanish). First pour the lighter fluid onto the stain, then spray on carpet stuff. You have to be patient. Leave to dry (may take a while) then agitate gently with soft scrubber and clean water. Rinse copiously with clean water. Works a treat! Thanks Sarah!
Our news: We are in Platarius on the mainland coast of Greece across from the southern tip of Corfu and are finally managing to relax. I have actually managed to get Craig to sit and do nothing for a while and we have been settled here for four nights now after spending tow nights in Gouvia marina after returning from Italy where we had a very full and interesting holiday for a week.
We stayed in a little rustic B & B in the village of Laureana Cilento near Agropoli on the South west coast. "Blu di Prussia" is owned by an Italian artist (Domenico Palombo, or Meno for short (hope we've spelled that correctly!) who lives in residence with his lovely daughter Marta and his wife Teresa. We know Teresa through a mutual friend in Brisbane and the invitation to visit them in the land of Pompei and the Amalfi coast was too good to resis.
Getting the ferry across to Bari in Italy was a story all by itself. We had to first ferry to Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland from Corfu and then wait for the "Superfast II" to leave at midnight. We had booked 'Air seats' which are kind of like those you would get on an aircraft only even more uncomfortable. 'Deck seats' meant that you had to hang around in the bars and on the deck all night and being an old lady, I didn't fancy that! Turned out, after the lights went out that everyone on the deck came in to the air seats area anyway and I came back from a visit to the bar to find a chunky Asian gentleman spooning up to Craig! He hadn't even noticed.
We arrived in Bari, Italy around 08.30 local time and picked up our hire car. We realised pretty quickly that the road rules are a little different than what we are used to. We had accident in a tunnel when a van crossed on to our side of the road and we had to swerve to avoid it, just clipping the kerb and the wall of the tunnel. Every day we were there we saw at least one accident and most cars had dents in them somewhere. The southern Italians also don't seem to believe in toilet seats (bit of useful trivia for you there.... pack your own if you are planning to vist!). Blu di Prussia had lovely toilets however, so you are safe there!!
On the way to Laureana Cilento we visited a fantastic place called Matera which had been recommended to us by Teresa. We were driving through the very average looking new town wondering what the big fuss was about when we were suddenly treated to the marvellous spectacle of the old town. There has been habitation in this area since the neolithic era with houses and churches being hewn into solid rock. Many still survive and have been added to over the centuries. We spent a lovely few hours pottering around and apart from a particularly grumpy Italian tourist (who continually complained during a guided tour) we were in heaven!
We arrived in Laureana Cilento in the early evening and were treated to a lovely rustic Italian meal which seemed to go on for ever. With full bellies and a few glasses of house red under our belts we collapsed in a heap and slept soundly till midday the next day. It was nice to sleep in a bed that didn't move for a change! All the rooms in Blu di Prussia are furnished with antiques and Meno's paintings and it's a bit like living in an art gallery / museum. Have a look at their website for some photos.... http://www.bludiprussiacafe.it/. There is a lovely little piazza outside and the views from the village are out of this world.
We did the tourist thing over the next few days visiting Agropoli. Paestum, some local caves at Castelevita, Pompei and, of course, the Amalfi coast. Each is a blog in itself, but I don't have the space here so will try to post some photos soon.
One of the highlights of the trip was driving along the Amalfi coast. At one point we had to reverse and tuck in both rear view mirrors to let a bus past on a bend. I went into a chemist shop and asked if I could get some valium without a prescription, however the answer was no and I had to suffer! We reached Positano in need of a stiff drink and found a parking space eventually right at the top of the hill. As we were walking down towards the beach Craig asked a lady directions. This lovely breath of fresh air turned out to be Michelle from Carlton and we ended up spending the rest of the day with her. Michelle spends 3 months of the year in Positano and became our informal tour guide and turned out to know practically everyone in town. She is also a (self confessed) Goddess of Elimination and decided that I needed my negative energy purged (due to all the dramas we have been having which we were telling her about). I was given a napkin containing salt and told to face north at an opportune time and throw the salt over both shoulders. I did this later on in the afternoon while we were walking along a lovely beach path and so far I haven't broken more elbows. Thank you Michelle!.
In the evening we got the local bus up the colossal hill (thank you Michelle!). I have never seen so many bodies packed into a small space but the views were spectacular. We dined at the top of the hill and had the best anti pasto which didn't leave any room for pizza. The first Italian game of the world cup was on and the place was buzzing. What a great night!
On the way back to Laureana Cilento we got a bit lost and arrived back at the B & B at 04.30hrs.
Meno has his studio in Blu di Prussia and it was lovely to watch his current painting developing every day. What talent!
The area is alive with history and Pompei was amazing. Much bigger than we expected. We swam at some lovely beaches around Agropoli and ate far too much food. We treated ourselves to a pizza with french fries and frankfurt sausages on top just because we felt we should try it. Worst food we have had on our trip so far!
We had a lovely car trip back to Bari for the return home as there was hardly any traffic on the roads. We stayed in Bari overnight and in the morning after having massive hassles finding the car rental office, dumped the car at the airport. They weren't worried about the damage at all and merely said that it happens all the time! Surprise, surprise.....
The ferry back to Igoumenitsa was a day time trip and far more civilised. We watched the crew cram scores of semi trailers on the the garage decks with most ending up about one foot apart.
We missed the last ferry to Corfu as we were late leaving, however found a nice hotel near the port and overnighted in Igoumenitsa catching the ferry back to Gouvia and our lovely girl Shirley Valentine the next morning.
We laid low for a few days as we were exhausted and it has been nice to relax here in Platarius moored to the town quay for 3 euros a night. It is great entertainment watching the charter fleets preparing to leave. I don't think I've heard anyone say "all hands on deck" for centuries! Some of the crews get very excited....
Anyway, enough from us for the moment. We are hoping to catch up with some friends (Sandy and Maree on Freedom) who are on their way from Croatia, via Italy (not Albania!) in the next few days and will then decide where to go from here. Weather is now settling and we expect light winds for the next week or so. But as you know, things can change. I have more salt available if needed!! Will try not to leave it so long before being in touch again.
Take care.
xx
Craig & Lesley (Shirley Valentine)
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