Venice to Bari

As we sailed out of the port of Venice we went to dinner and then a relaxing night resting for our first port of call, Bari, Italy. Bari is almost due east of Naples in the south of Italy. It is Italy's second most active sea port after Naples and the home of Santa Clause. Ok, actually Saint Nicolas. If you say the name in Italian, Santa Nicolas, and hear it with a western ear, you can almost hear how we got the name Santa Clause. He was a bishop in Bari and as seen in the photo below well respected by both the Western Church (the Latin inscription on the base) and the Eastern Church (the Cyric inscription on the base)


Oh and here is a shot of our ship from port!

Though a bit rusted, it was a great sail! Actaully, as if I have to say this, that is NOT our ship. It was moored at the port right next to our ship though. I named it the Costa Serena II.

The streets of Bari were well decorated. Italy was in the semi-finals for the Eurocup (Soccer for those who don't have a life) and they were supporting their national team.




Banking, or getting money from the ATMs, can be a multi person task in Italy. Seems that some ATMs accept some cards and not others. We gathered at this ATM for a short time, enough time for me to get bored and take a picture of us all...yes I am in the picture too.


One of my most favorite things about Italy is the food. It is so fresh and varied and here is a street scene of where the locals buy their fresh veggies.


And of course what is a day on the coast without a picture of my wife against the backdrop of the Adriatic Sea from the Bari Promenade!


Next installment will be Olympia and Ephesus...I hope.