Back to the mainland

Left Azitezza today and said goodbye to Sicily and got the ferry back to the mainland.  All the planets aligned – we drove into the deserted ferry parking area, a demountable was there with a ‘tickets to Villa San Giovanni’ sign.  We went up, it was staffed by a couple of overweight slow talking Sicilians.  We bought a ticket and asked where and when?  They said, “Now, there.” And flicked a thumb in the general direction of north.  We got in the car and drove through an exit, lucky for us it was the right one, a ticket man got on his radio and we were let through, the last car to board.

There was a little hold-up with the Police checking someones papers but we were on our way in minutes.  Completed the 20 minutes ride and were on the mainland before we knew it.  Straight onto the Autostrade and on our way.

Then………I had seen a little beach on the map we could stop at for lunch, if it’s a hot day, maybe a swim.  A little off the highway.  We both looked at the map, a nice drive along the beach…our first mistake – not buying 3D maps.  The drive along the beach was actually a road 700 metres along a cliff, sure the beach was 20 metres away from the road – it was just 700 metres down. (Pam claims 710 metres but I didn’t see that sign).  

 After some long periods without taking a breath we got to the little beach at Tropea.  So worth the effort, beautiful sandy beach, houses on cliff faces and water so, so clear you could see fish swim around your legs.  (Pam had seen a news story a couple of days ago about the dreaded ‘Mediterranean Barracuda’ – she was a little apprehensive but soon got over that).

Dragged ourselves away after a few hours and headed to our unit at Fuscaldo, 100 kilometres away…2 hours after a couple of town centre detours (and one Vernon related detour).  

 Got in at about 6, had a shower.  The staff told us about a nice restaurant for tea, went there, they didn’t open till 8pm…too late for us.  Drove through a hundred streets, down dark alleys, found the city centre.  Miraculously got a park and had a sensational pasta meal.  (My spaghetti - Corteccia crema di gorgonzola noci actually which I'm sure is Italian for spaghetti -  will be the baseline for every spaghetti dish I have ever again!!!).  

Decided to have a walk to let tea settle – walked about 10 metres to a gelati shop – bought a gelati – walked another 10 metres to the car – geez, all this exercise is wearing me out!

Didn’t have a clue where we were or where our unit was, no problem, got Kate going, it turned out the restaurant was only about 300 metres from our unit, we could have walked!!!!  Got home safe and sound, listening to the quiet sound of breaking waves outside the unit to send us to sleep.

On the ferry from Messina to Villa San Giovanni.

This ferry just a bit smaller than our last one, straight on and off after 20 minutes.

Saying goodbye to Messina and Sicily.

This ferry we passed carries the train across the strait.  The front opens up, they lock onto the wharf connect the line and drive the train off.

Another tunnel - 51 today.

And thanks again to Mr.Google - this is the viaduct we drove over near Scilla.  It's like flying we are so high and can see so far down.

The view from one of the few stops we were able to make

Ready for the drive down the hill.

From the table where we had lunch.

Little grotto to the beach.

Looking up at the houses built into the cliff.

Had a swim at this beach.

Another look at those amazing houses looking down at 'our' beach.

Pam on the rocks.

Crystal clear water.

These are photos from the balcony of our room - watching the sun set over a very calm Mediterranean.

Another

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last one......