The day starts just as it ended, with the soothing sounds of nature. Ah, it’s the little things! I knew it was going to be a good day.
With the ferry and all, it’s easy to loose track of the days. So doing a little mind-travelling recap, I concluded that this is our fourth day. And by “our” I clearly mean Me, your faithful motorcycle travel/writer, and my two-wheeled yellow companion.
Starting the Day Right:
Today, it was all about catching the ferry from Brindisi to Vlore. Well, not entirely, but that was our main goal. In between, we had the chance to explore and enjoy the beautiful regions of Abruzzo and Puglia in Italy. But first things first, I promised myself some homemade scrambled eggs this morning… I even dreamt about the chicken, not the one from the chicken soup I had last night, but the one laying those eggs.
With the first goal accomplished – enjoying homemade scrambled eggs in our 15€ accommodation – it was time to move on to the second goal before catching the ferry: visiting Alberobello. But again, it couldn’t be as simple as setting the compass to the destination.
Considering our prime location in the heart of the Majella National Park, I knew we were in for a scenic route, and it didn’t disappoint. I decided to head towards Pescara and from there, to ride south/southeast along the Adriatic coast. Beautiful scenery as you might have guessed.
Exploring Alberobello:
Our next destination was Alberobello, renowned for its cluster of Trulli, the cone-roofed houses typical of the region. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, the mortarless construction of these unique houses makes them a must-see. Spread across an extensive urban area of approximately 10.5 hectares, these authentic and well-preserved limestone houses are still inhabited today, adding to the charm of the town. While some Trulli have been converted for commercial or tourism purposes, they retain all their original character and allure.
When it came to our visit to Alberobello, I had a checklist of unheard-of innovations:
- Visit – Check!
- Photos – Check!
- Ice Cream – Check!
You see what I’m saying about innovation? It’s about escaping the traps of overcomplication and focusing on really enjoying the simple things. Just like the beautifully simple design of a Trullo (singular for Trulli).
Off to Brindisi: Navigating Another Ferry
Off we go to Brindisi, where we need to check in.
The check-in procedure varies from company to company. This one happened to be a bit on the complicated side… but hey, that’s all part of the adventure, right?
Another ferry, another night, but this time, no tent. I must admit, the thought did cross my mind to set up the tent just to keep the habit of sleeping on the ground. But the dormitory is so spacious that it’s either me or the tent. I chose me!
Albania tomorrow! See you on the other side!… of the Adriatic.