Well, that was a journey! Our decision to fly ITA, the phoenix version of Air Italia, started off in a peculiar manner. A 15 minute shuttle bus ride took us from the main Toronto terminal to another facility in the most remote north west corner of the airport. Who knew it even existed!Then, despite holding business class seats it was a one for all boarding process and the herd pressed forward. Fortunately we emerged unscathed.
Our late afternoon departure meant an awkward schedule of dinner at 6:30 and then an attempt to sleep at 9:00. The lay down pods helped but it was up and at ‘em at midnight body time for breakfast. Needless to say an early circadian challenge.
The recently introduced Shengen region biometric identification process in lieu of speaking with an immigration officer was seamless when we landed in Rome and we were waived through in record time. CDG in Paris should take note given our opposite experience there on a previous trip.
A long hike through the Rome airport took us to the commuter train station for a 30 minute ride to the main rail terminus in the city. Roma Termini is three levels of masses of travellers, many of whom appear lost and unable to speak Italian. It verges on chaos but somehow manages to get people in and out, presumably to their desired destinations.
We opted to take the 4 1/2 hour train ride cross country given timing and availability of flights to Bari. Plus a chance to ride the Frecciarossa (red arrow) was not to be missed.
The route involved a surprising number of tunnels early on before the landscape gave way to agricultural fields of grape vines, endless olive tree plantations and as we went further southeast, cactus and palm trees. Of course at nearly 300 kph most everything was a bit of a blur.
We arrived in Bari earlier that Louise and Doug so, of course, having been up and on the go for close to 28 hours, we went for a wander. Home to close to 500,000 people, most of who are either tearing about on scooters or driving cars slightly larger than lawn mowers, Bari seems to be hopping.
There are wide pedestrian boulevards all lined with name brand retailers, dozens of restaurants spilling out to occupy sidewalk space and intriguing architecture that by European standards is very young.
We linked up with Louise and Doug around 7:15 and walked 10 minutes to one of the aforementioned sidewalk restaurants. My first experience with Orecchiette (ear shaped) pasta was a positive one as was the bottle of Negroamaro wine. Definitely need more intense research though.
Tomorrow we have a bike tour of the city planned as well as more wandering. Hopefully our time zones will be aligned.
