Tourist Hotel Potenza

OK, so we're living on an Olive Farm for a while now.<br>Bohemian? Yes<br>Practical? Only when its sunny and only when its not olive picking season.<br>So what season is it now? Olive picking and its raining.<br><br>Welcome to our own little corner of Glastonbury<br>

... shock already has started to loose its stability, which turns the motorbike appear to be like a crazy donkey! I struggle with the question now, to continue traveling without repair, or to stopover somewhere, to do the repair.<br><br>I also recognize in Italy a significant cool down of the climate. I have to get used of the winter feeling.

... a glint in his eye, before you leave to fly across the canyon.<br> <br>Trepidation was mounting, and all I could think to write was a message to my husband and sons &#8211; in case I never saw them again! I felt less angelic and more like a sacrificial lamb as I was trussed up in secure harness; logic and fear are not good bed fellow. And then I was off &#8211; flying at a speed of 120km an hour, racing ...

... we get to customs where there's complete disorder. Then we see the road ways. I've never seen so much disorder in my life.<br><br>Last nights rest on the boat was awesome. We wanted to get some sort of cabin, but all were full and we were forced to be deck passengers. There were a lot of us and most everyone crowded into a lounge and attempted to make beds out of dining booths. Chrissy and I were the only ones to set up our sleep mats ...

Short ride yet breathtaking. Via Appia is magnificent! An ancient roman road which is situated comfortably on the mountains above the highway is also amerced in natural forest and meadows, dotted here and there by small town houses, grazing sheep, pigs or hens. There is barely any traffic on the road - definite a bikers heaven. The mountain peaks reach a hight of more than 1000 m.

Had a great time in Potenza, resting eating, enjoying some quality time with Pino's sister's family - Olympia, Angelo, Pasquale and Simona. I went site seeing with Olympia and then site shopping with Angelo when he got back from his work in the Batipaligia carbinieri (we went looking for a present for Betty's commune "festa" on Sunday). The next morning, a little weary of re-enacting my Salerno-Potenza journey I picked a fairly close destination and started pedaling again.

... to ask some one for directions. After explaining to me that I would have to continue climbing up hill I slid into the gutter, going down, bike and everything. The man hurried to help me up: "stanci ha?" he said in a worried tone. "Si molto" (yes, very). "De Dove vieni?" (where did you come from?). "Salerno" I said. He nodded heavily and gave me a little push up the hill.

... the old building. Matera has be inhabited longer than anywhere in the world for the longest period of time. There is sone age painting in caves through this region. When we post the pics, you will be surprised about the living conditions that once were. Though some people still are living in the abondon homes. Later, J&amp;K

DAY 12 - Rome to Corfu via Pompeii This morning we departed from Rome and drove to the ancient city of Pompeii. We new a little bit about Pompeii, but we were given a guided tour that we found to be really fascinating. Not many people know, but Mount Vesuvius (the volcano that erupted and covered Pompeii), is still active and everyone who lives around that area today is on high alert! The artefacts that they uncovered were amazing, from the ceramic pots/bowls, to actual human remains ...

The next morning we left early and headed to Matera... As we were arriving in the city a man on a motorbike/vespa thing pulled up beside us and told us that for $10 he would show us where to park the car, and get the best pictures from, and also explain the Sassi di Matera to us.... The place is fascinating... people still live in the houses carved into the rock... worth visiting :)