2015-07-24 Capo Palinuro to Palinuro Porto, Campania Italy
We leave the safe anchorage we had overnightWe motor the short distance around Capo Palinuro to the townPassing day trippers going to visit the caves in the areaWe have been looking forward to coming to Palinuro by seaOur last visit to Palinuro was 6 years ago staying in this hotel. It was from here that we made an offer on the Tangaroa which was accepted.Fortunately we had booked a berth a couple of days ago in the marina, as it already appears completely fullJust after our arrival, threatening clouds seemed to have increased and the wind started to blow very hardWe had just enough time to get all the windows closed and secure everything before the heavy rain startedOut in the bay it was like a circus with small boats arriving back into port trying to secure their lines in the terrible conditionsDay tripper boats started arriving back with drenched, cold and frightened passengers!!By lunchtime the storm had passed so we decided to organise a taxi (no hire cars available) for the afternoon to do some sightseeing in the areaHeading inland in a northerly direction from Palinuro we make our way through amazing scenery on our way to Montano AntiliaPhoto time of the remains of an ancient village on a hillMany viaducts can be seen in this areaIn the distant we see the hillside town of Montano AntiliaOur first visit to Montano Antilia was in 2003Montano Antilia is a small village approximately 25kms from Palinuro, with less than 1000 people, no hotels and one pizzeriaArriving in the small town brings back a lot of wonderful memoriesWe head up to the small town squareA quick photo at the lovely old church on the hillThe tiny piazza of Montano AntiliaNone of the old faces were sitting in the square so we made our way back to the main roadWe spent over a week staying in a friend’s house (white one) with another couple, Rod and Kate back in 2003. It was one of the most memorable travelling experiences we have ever had!!The views from Montano Antilia are so amazing!!The local ambulance driver could speak a little English and he made a couple of phone calls to see if any of our old friends were in townIt wasn’t long before Ugo arrived, who we hadn’t seen for over 12 years. He lives here a few months a year in the house below the one where we stayed. His brother, Sam lives in Hobart, built both houses. Ugo looked after us all so well while we were here in 2003.We head back to the car park where Giovanni was waiting for usContinuing on from Montana we head south east to the hilltop town of RoccagloriosaGiovanni our driver weaves his way through the narrow streets of the townWe pass some very ancient tombsWe arrive at almost the highest point and look out over the spectacular views to the water in the south eastTo the south is the Bulgheria Mountain and Celle di Bulgheria where our driver lives with his family
We continue our tour along the coast heading eastWe pass the most incredible scenery on our way to MarateaLooking towards the popular holiday town of SapriNot far from Maratea, positioned high above on a hilltop is the Statua del RedentoreA long winding road takes you to the hilltopGiovanni joins us to visit the statueLots of photos being taken of the church which the large Christ statue faces
The statue is 25 metres high and was completed 50 years ago. It was built by a local business man who donated the statue to the community which no doubt has brought a lot of tourism to the area.Ric and Don are certainly dwarfed by the large statue
The view of the town Maratea from beside the statue, makes one feel a little light headed!!In all directions the views were truely magnificent
We invited Ugo and his friends to join us for drinks on the Tangaroa in the Palinuro MarinaAs our time is limited, we have planned to leave in the morning however we promised Ugo and his friends that we would keep in touch and return in the future
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