A 3 Hour Tour

I thought it was funny that our booked boat tour from Monopoli was 3 hours. Still funny as we set off into choppy turquoise waves....until the captain informs us the winds are too rough. So our tiny ship is tossed back to the harbour. We and our Norwegian couple fellow tourists will try again tomorrow.

So now, all afternoon to explore Monopoli at our leisure. We were in Polignano a Mare yesterday. It was crowded and very, very busy, as expected since it was a national holiday. Still remarkably appealing with its distinctive harbour, which was quite busy with swimmers and sunbathers on a hot day like this.

Polignano is another city of arts, decorated with poetry on walls and stairs, even a textile art crochet decorated cactus corner. It's so engaging, and visually stunning, with glimpses of turquoise water from balcony viewpoints. Still, the crowds were intense and we decided to return home to our beach, and try book a boat tour for the next day.

Today, our failed boat tour day, we had discovered on our way in the serenely pastel blue Chiesa di S. Francesco Assisi, a calm presence at the beginning point of the old town. We decide to work our way back though the old town area to that point.

After leaving the new harbour we head first to the incredibly photogenic old harbour. The blue boats are a counterpoint to the sand coloured Castle of Charles V that lines one side of the harbour. The boat colours are traditional, reflecting the colour of the cloak of Madonna del Mafia. She is a Byzantine icon that arrived mysteriously in 1117, and lives to this day in the cathedral here.

Monopoli is calmer, it feels quietly confident of its historic beauty. There's a street with sunflowers dotting and decorating with sunny cheer. Narrow alleys give way to lively squares then just as quickly twist away to cool shaded corners.

And there's a library, modern and sparse. Clean lines, minimal furniture, and breath taking scenery outside every window. How does anyone concentrate to study here.?

So we get to make our way back to our ever inviting beach, with a wonderful day exploring behind us, and a boat tour still enticingly ahead.Read more