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Botricello
One of many unfinished buildings we have seen. Our quiet B & B at Botricello ensured a good night sleep. We believed we were the only people in the building, until we went downstairs for breakfast and discovered our host slept over. Just as well we cancelled last night’s party. Our buffet breakfast was enough for all our party guests but today there are just two of us left to make a very small dent in this lavish array of food.
During the planning stages of this trip our journey to Southern Italy had to include Matera. No matter where else we went this was going to be a highlight. As we packed the car you could feel an air of excitement among the touring party. We thought we could hear Jane bubble with excitement as well.
After leaving Botricello we called into the seaside town of La Castella on the recommendations of our host. We needed to see the castello This castle was built by the Aragonese and sits surrounded by water with a short causeway that gives access from the shore. It is viewed from a wonderful vantage point that is surrounded by restaurants and, in some places blocked by mobile food stalls.
We
La Castella
Fortezza Aragonese did not linger long as we have some traveling to do. We had a packed lunch and thought a seaside vista would be nice. At one point we took a road to the beach only to find it ended up in a surprised dairy farmer’s front yard. His cows were enjoying the shade of their barn eating mountains of dry hay. We wondered if they had ever enjoyed a romp in the nearby paddocks. We eventually made our way to the beach. We were welcomed by a scene we have come to treat as normal. How the local economy could boom with a little tidying up to make this setting quite appealing. They would end up turning away thousands. On the other hand people probably come to this beach in spite of its appearance so why spend unnecessary money.
We drove past Crotone’s abandoned-looking airport. We read later that it closed because of bankruptcy. How much EU money went into the area only to end up in the Mafias’ pocket we will never know. Is this the reason for so many building projects that appear to have got started only to be abandoned.
Driving further north we noticed
La Castella
A view along the coast from the castle. rain falling in the mountains to the west of us. These are the same mountains we drove through nearly two weeks ago. We encountered a few drops ourselves. Not to worry, the car needs a dust off. After a brief stop we make the final dash for Matera. We are so excited. It really is happening. We stop and make contact with our host. Armed with the front door keypad pin we drive into Matera and arrive outside the apartment. Parking is on the street somewhere. We find the perfect spot with room front and back, but not enough to squeeze a Smart car into gaps. Hopefully the car and four wheels will be there when we leave on Wednesday morning. We hope it is not covered in anti-French messages.
When you arrive in front of an inner city apartment you imagine the worst. Once inside we cannot believe our eyes. It is fabulous. We have the only apartment in this building. The owners have completely gutted what was there, visited the Ikea showroom and turned this modest little apartment into a luxurious pensioner pad. We will be happy here.
We have a visit from our hostess who
takes note of our details, explains a few things, gives us some great sightseeing ideas and leaves us to have a wonderful time. Tonight we dine out on a wonderful meal of grilled vegetables, slices of rare grilled beef, potatoes and salad. What a way to start our Matera experience. Fabulous accommodation, fabulous food, fabulous night’s sleep.
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