Tropea - The Tropical Paradise
- Tobias Heller
- 24. Okt. 2016
- 4 Min. Lesezeit
Tropea, I put it on the list of places to see, according to several sources it is worth paying a visit. Though located in Matera, I am able to find someone to take me by car up to Vibo Valentia, from where - supposedly - can take a bus to reach Tropea for a day trip, thereby covering quite a far distance and entering right into Calabria, the boot that kicks ass. Or at least sicily. Literally. Look at the map if you don't believe me.
Prologue
The long way to Paradise
Early in the morning the alarm rings shrilly, pulling me out of my sweet dreams and my soft fresh bed. I check my phone: 5 o clock in the morning. The hostel here in Matera turned out to be really nice and comfortable and worth the money, especially because got the whole lovely and modernly equipped dormitory for myself. To catch the car to Vibo Valentia, I need to basically cross the whole of Matera - the old as well as the new part. No one is at the reception, and I slip out with my heavy backpack loaded onto my shoulders, starting to walk through the deserted and empty streets. At the appointed spot, in front of a cafe, I keep waiting for the guys to come and only with a slight delay they arrive in front of me. The guys are polite and friendly, students studying in Vibo Valentia, going all the distance today from their parents home near Taranto, and they are even helping me out to buy the bus ticket once we arrive, which I would never have found as they sell it only in one little tobacco shop.
I am given directions for the bus station, once at the spot they told me to go, there is nothing to be found. Uncertain about the distance I have covered, I move on trying to ask people randomly for the bus station, which according to their either not existing or fragmented english should be either nonexistent or further on. I keep on walking the streets, finally at the end of the whole village. I get frustrated, with the knowledge that there is a train station in Vibo Marina, I decide to throw the bus ticket away - luckily it wasn't expensive - and walk along the street. Soon a car with an older man stops, asking where I want to go, and he takes me down to the train station. Once there I notice that this train station isn't the right connection to Tropea, instead situated a few kms away there would be the right connection. What a mess! Again I keep walking, arriving at the other train station, hoping this time there will be a train taking me there - and fortunately there is.
Beach & Sightseeing
Tropea - A Tropical Paradise
When I arrive in Tropea I go straight to a bar, where I will meet with a local guy living here with his family. Unfortunately he is not able to host me, but anyways he offered to show me around and drop off my bag at his home, so I am grateful to get rid of the heavy burden for this day, making exploring the area much more comfortable. Tropea, which already indicates a tropical flair, sits on a massive rock which sticks about 40 meters high out of the ground. From up there a terrific view opens up, the vast open azure blue sea in front, the sky cloudless and a single surface of soft blue and in front of us an outstanding cliff with a church nestled peacefully on top of it which separates the long strop of beach into halves. High palms are growing, appearing to try shooting up higher into the sky, to get a hold of the depths of the pristine blue ceiling. The norman church, erected in the 12th century, fits perfectly on top of the rock, seeming to have simply grown out of the ragged steep walls by itself, matching perfectly it's surrounding. This indeed gives the taste of a tropical paradise, tranquilized, beautiful and harmonic.
Together with my personal guide I walk down onto the beach, enjoying the water flushing over my feet in soft waves while strolling along the promenade. The beach isn't too crowded, only a countable number of tourists and maybe also locals are enjoying a swim in the fresh wetness of the ocean during the afternoon heat. From below the sight back up to Tropea is similarly dazzling, with the houses appearing to be the mere artificial extension of the steep cliff, their long walls growing out of the rocks lifted up high in the air. How amazing it must be to stay in one of those houses, looking out of your window with a step downfall in front of you and a view like this one! My new company though tells me that those houses as beautifully located they are, bring several disadvantages with them, including the extreme noise during nighttime while the wind rushes past the steep cliff howling in a frantic voice as well as the waves that crash in loudly with it. We finish our tour around Tropea late in the afternoon, when it is time for me to catch the train to my next spot. I say goodbye once more to my good company who turned out to be not only that but also a good tour guide, an rush along the streets on to the station, while the sun is about to set.
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