A funny little thing has happened with food on this trip. Sometimes my food is much better than everyone else’s and sometimes not. My friends have come up with a little code word to indicate to Nino when they want the vegan food rather than theirs. The word is “bi” as in bisexual (that they go both ways). Lots of laughs about this.

Today we went to a family run pig farm where the owner makes capicolli, pancetta and prosciutto. All of my favorite things. We started out having to put on haz-mat suits.

Next on to the pigs! They have about a 150 of them that run lose on the acreage next to the processing area.

Apparently this place is the real deal when it comes to making capicolli. They use the traditional methods of making this dry-cured pork and it is certified by some important group. It is not exported to the US. I did not eat it but our entire group raved about it (and the rest of the meat) like it was the Last Supper.

Next was on to the restaurant and butcher shop that the owner has in the city of Martina Franca. The meal started out with a beautiful charcuterie board filled with all the meats made at the farm. Just because I don’t eat them does not mean that I don’t appreciate them. I was given bruschetta. Yummy.

We then watched the owner fill huge skewers with all kinds of meats and potatoes into what looked like a wood fired pizza oven. The best “baked” potato I have ever eaten. Great salad and pasta for me. There were absolutely no leftovers on the table.

After this there was suppose to be an optional tour to Monopoli to take a boat trip through the grottos. We knew when we signed up that the boat trip was weather dependent and unfortunately there were high seas and the boat was cancelled. Nino, as expected, made lemonade out of lemons and I think everyone agreed that it was one of the best afternoons of the trip. Before Monopoli we stopped in a little seaside town and they were having a kite flying contest. Hundreds of families with little children flying kites on the plaza on the water. We truly felt like one of the locals. We walked thru alleys with families eating gelato. We couldn’t have asked for a better day or better weather.

Back in the bus to the village of Monopoli. Beautiful blue waters and vistas.

Of course what would be an Italian village without a beautiful church. This one is now in the top five also because it has a second story altar.

After a little bit of shopping we had dinner in a delightful upscale restaurant. Only half our group of 14 decided to go on this excursion so the dining was more intimate.

Back on the bus for the return trip to Martina Franca arriving at 9:00 PM. A perfect day for all!