Wednesday June 12, Syracuse…or Siracusa as the Italians say!

Plastic tunnel houses cover the landscape

Today has been one of those days on the road that you would rather forget, everything that could go wrong seemed to and by the time we finally arrived at this campsite at 5.30 we were two very weary kiwis. But no damage except a lot of frustrations.

It was a good start to the day as we continued around the coast, temperatures were already almost 30….and they did reach 37 but driving with the air con on made it so much better. There was a strong hot wind blowing from the south, probably coming from Africa. We bypassed some tourist spots knowing that it would be just too hot to enjoy walking around.

The drive was very scenic with views out over the ocean at times and then through vast areas of horticulture, mostly in plastic tunnel houses where we could see melons, tomatoes and grapes growing. And lots of smoky haze from many fires that seem to be along the roadsides. The part of southern Italy that we find hard to get used to is the huge amounts of rubbish left in piles on the roadsides and rest areas….whole bags of it and old furniture and household goods. Rubbish bins are nowhere to be seen so people just keep dumping.

We were heading along nicely with a destination on the southern coast at Donnalucata that had been recommended but got into strife in the old town of Comiso where we had to leave the main road and take a lesser road to the coast. Jilly tried to send us on a narrow road through the streets, but with some very good driving we got out of that pickle, back on the main road which large trucks were using. What a nightmare as we came to a sharp left had turn. Ahead of us a large truck turning left and coming the other way was a tanker. They stopped with lots of cars behind who immediately started tooting…as all Italian drivers do. I don’t know how but they managed to get around, and we followed holding our breath but no issues. Driving through these towns, especially during the late morning when everyone is out and about it is like watching “ballet” as the little cars turn, duck and dive, come out from side streets and push their way into the traffic or squeeze between the cars to get to the other side where they stop, facing the wrong way and leave their car while the pop into a shop, the other cars just swerve to get around! We have learned to just laugh at the antics…as long as it doesn’t involve us.

Survived that and with great relief arrived to much quieter roads on the coast, a beautiful area. Arrived at the campsite thinking it was on the sea but found that it was pretty rundown and in the trees with no air movement. Parked up but soon decided that we could find better, so set off again. Stopped at a pull off for a quick lunch as it was now 2.30, and checked out our options. Found another campground on the coast so off again for the 20 minute drive. Arrived to find the campsite was no longer operating and it would have been perfect. Buggar. Back to the drawing board. Saw another nice camp on the coast near Noto so back on the road again, but took the wrong on ramp and ended up having to travel quite a few extra km’s before we could turn around. Whew finally got on a good stretch of motorway then down the lesser road to the camp, and only a few minutes away from our destination, we stopped as the road went through the narrowest short tunnel that we couldn’t possibly get through. Turned around again and looked at other options to get there but Jilly told us of low bridges.

By this stage we were hot, and weary and just wanted to find somewhere to camp. Gave up on the coast and found a good camp which was a 40 minute drive up the motorway. Great relief when we finally arrived and the good part is that the camp owner has a shuttle bus to take us into Syracuse where we wanted to go and visit the old town on the island of Ortygia which is joined by a causeway.

Don’t need too many of these sort of days!!! It's a rather lengthy blog, but thought you would enjoy some of the less enjoyable times of life on the road. And realise I didn’t get one photo of the beautiful coast nor of the narrow tunnel….a bit preoccupied!!!

...burnt roadsides.

Bliss!!!