Our 5 days in Positano had come to an end and it was time to repack, load up the expanding cases and make the gut busting climb up the steps for the last time. As we struggled with all the bits and bobs of our various shopping exploits, the young muscly porters carried our cases on their shoulders up the steps with extraordinary ease while we were all left to puff up each tortuous section. Our calf muscles will be like steel by the end of the tour!
It was an early start and had to be up that hill ready to meet our driver Peppie by 7.30 am. The drive across Italy to the very different region of Puglia would be a long one so a couple of stops broke the journey. At 10.30 we had a tour of the La Strega distillery in Benevento the digestivo famous worldwide for its bright yellow colour and unique flavour. Strega was developed in 1860 by father-son team of Carmine Vincenzo Alberti and Giuseppe Alberti. Over the years the company became well known for its colourful and artistic advertising including fabulous posters designed in 1906 in the art nouveau style. Once again it was time to shop and some very special treats were loaded up into our already packed vehicle. While in Benevento Rosa had a special though very brief reunion with her cousin Olga and her children including lots of kisses for their much loved Australian cousin. After a very yummy lunch it was back to the freeway for the final stretch through the many kilometres of olive groves and vineyards.
The history of Puglia is one of serial conquest, subjugation and settlement. Its climate and more importantly, its geographical position have always made it a favourable place to settle, or at least control. Our home for the next 6 days would be in the trulli of Alberobello. The trulli (plural of one trullo) , the characteristic cone shaped roof houses of Alberobello make up one of the 53 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Italy. Originally constructed using dry stone building techniques without mortar, many of these unique settlements have been restored for either permanent habitation or tourist accommodation. No 100 steps up and down the side of a cliff to get to the front door here! !!
However on arrival after some drenching rains and storms we arrived late to blacked out dwellings due to power failures! !! They must have heard we were from South Australia! ! However with the aid of a candle and the light from my mobile phone, the amazing Rosa Matto was still able to concoct a meal to feed the hungry group. Wine and Strega eased the introduction to Alberobello and in the end we turned it into a bit of a picnic in the dark! Sleep came quickly!
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