July 3 2011

We chose to spent a couple of days in Maretea and actually visit the town up the hill from the marina.  Last year we did not go up to town since it was off season and not much would be open.  Now we took the local shuttle bus up to town.  This bus runs from the marina to the beach then the train station before it get to town.  Good route for anyone wanting to get between these places.  Since it runs almost every hour a day at the beach is easily arranged.  The driver knows everyone and many locals use the bus as their main transport.  Everyone who gets on knows everyone else. Of course the price is also very cheap so why own a car.

In the upper town there are a few places to see, most of them seem to be uphill.  Not a big town and all can be seen in a few hours but high up it is cooler and has a nice breeze.  The tourist bureau made up some nice pamphlets about the setting and the hiking trails all around.  If you want to spend a weekend hiking along a beautiful coastline this is the place.

The town have several tourist shops but also produce, groceries, butchers, and police that keep the pedestrian streets free of cars.  This is just a relaxed town to enjoy with a nice lunch and a glass of wine.

Back down at the marina it turned out it was the weekend for the blessing of the fishing fleet.  Big event and many locals and others come to this event.  Since the local priest was going to bless all the boats many people came with their boat to catch some of the blessing.  It starts with a small parade through town with a brass band and worshipers carrying a box with I think relics of the local saint.  After that they board the boats head out and have the blessing.  Upon return was a live concert by a local rock group and then huge fireworks over the sea.  Since we realized the festival was going on we decorated out boat with the international signal flags.  Several local boats had also flags on display.  We got a lot of pictures as the boats passed in front of us on the way out to sea for the blessing.

One of the squares in town.

View out to the Med from town

Town hall, fountain and the local bus turnaround area.

Typical fishing boat heading out for the blessing.  I am sure they have enough life jackets for everyone on board.  Those who really are esoteric will notice the Dolos in the background.  These are concrete “jacks” designed to withstand winter seas.  In fact they were originally designed for the Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant that was going to be floated off the coast of New Jersey in the 1970s.  A project of PSE&G and Westinghouse under the joint venture called Offshore Power Systems.  Now the Dolos are used all around the world.

This is the largest fishing boat with the priest at the stern while they head out.  The band in blue is on deck.

Everyone following the fleet (three boat) out.  Even the dinghies want to get part of the blessing.