THE KINGDOM OF THE TWO SICILIE 30 apr. 03 mag. 2009

[charlyno]

PICTURES AND VIDEO

THE KINGDOM OF THE TWO SICILIE

Used motorcycles: BMW R 1200 GS - BMW 1200 GS Adventure

Departure: 30 April 2009

Arrival: 03 May 2009

Milestones: Palermo-Rocca di Caprileone-Castell'Umberto Old-Tortorici-Ucria-Floresta-Mitt-Portella San Piero Patti-Saint Lucia del Mela-Capo Milazzo-Messina-Reggio Calabria-Bova Marina-Bova-Roghudi-stronghold of Greek - Roccaforte Bagaladi-of-Greek-Gambarie Scilla-Melia-Villa San Giovanni-Messina-Palermo

Nations visited: Italy

Regions visited Sicily - Calabria

Km covered: 890

Duration: 4 days



April 30, 2009 (km 225) A beautiful sunny day welcomed our departure for this brief but intense tour on the road that will take us between the provinces of Messina and Reggio Calabria. At 09.30 after a good cup of coffee we depart in the direction of Messina by highway. The 140 km that separate us from Rocca di Caprileone spend quickly. At the exit turn the SP155, which leads us to our first goal, Castell'Umberto Vecchio. At the top of a hill 651 meters above sea level in the old village was abandoned in 1931 following a major landslide and now what remains of the village is surrounded by dense vegetation that hides almost the entire country. Parked the bikes we enter in the ruins of the country. It breathes air of another era. Old stone houses abandoned, ancient streets that descend down the mountain. One of the most beautiful and evocative of the village is the ruins of the convent of S. Vincent and the church of Santa Barbara with its wonderful bell tower (photo dsc 01-32). After visiting start towards Tortorici. Once in the country will take advantage for a nice walk through the streets of the country. The city retains the classic medieval urban structure, with narrow cobbled streets, courtyards, arches and beautiful churches. Finished the walk, we go on the main square where you sit comfortably on a bench to take advantage it quick snack with a good sandwich made of local cheese and a good cold beer (photo dsc 33-62). After a good cup of coffee we get in motion in the direction Ucria through SS113. The show is phenomenal. On one side the blue sea with the backdrop of the Aeolian Islands and the other Park Nebrodi with the green of its thick vegetation. A loss of eye hazelnut trees, which Ucria is a great producer. Once in town we make a brief visit to the Mother Church and then we enjoy a very tasty and fresh ice cream with hazelnuts, a flat roof (photo dsc 64-123). The sun continues to make us the company, the air is crisp and pleasantly engaged with the smell of wet earth. Floresta to start where we are in the evening my friend Fabio, he motorcyclist. We know only via the internet for our common passion for motorbikes and Mototurismo but as always happens between motorcyclists seem to be known for a long time. Will he and his wife Clare who will host us for the night at their farm. The area near Floresta is of extraordinary beauty. We arrived at the Rocca San Marco, an ancient archaeological site already refuge during the Paleolithic. The rock has the shape of a big head dog who searches the surrounding valley. The landscape that you can enjoy from the top of the rock is wonderful. The peculiarity of the rock creates geometric designs rather bizarre, as if to create a lunar landscape (photo dsc 127-165). At about 2 km before Floresta on the right begins a road that leads to one of the most beautiful and characteristic of the area, Portella Mitt. A large area characterized by vast forests and paths to walk, small lakes, as well as a breathtaking scenery. We enter for about 6 km along the road. Wishing you could reach Tortorici but time is pressing ahead el'amico Fabio (dsc 167-228). Around 17:30 we arrive at the farm. The place is idyllic, just opposite the Rocca San Marco. After the presentations and fitted luggage, an evening spent in your company in front of the fireplace to warm. Come to us late in the sister of Clare and her boyfriend that vouchers for dinner. I take this opportunity to warmly thank Fabio and his wife Clare for their kindness and availability, for having received in their home and for having prepared a tasty dinner based on typical local products. In the evening the weather changed radically, out of a dense fog, followed by rain and hail in the night!

01 May 2009 (185 km) at 07.30 clock. Still outside the fog, which makes the landscape very suggestive. The thermometer marks +3! With the breakfast and after the usual photo, the sky begins to open up and the sun do fairing in the clouds doing presage a beautiful day (photo dsc 232-262) We call on the fly in the direction of San Piero Patti. The temperature has risen slightly over the us +6 °. Floresta turn passed the SP122 and the show begins! A road in good condition fully immersed in the green, which drops down towards the valley of Timeto, the namesake river, offering beautiful landscapes and scenery (photo dsc 263-322). We arrived in the village a short walk through the old town with its beautiful church, with a bell tower and a wooden roof of unparalleled workmanship. After a cup of coffee through a narrow street Timeto visit the river via the bridge of Santa Caterina on its way to the so-called "U puntittu", a bridge that for centuries has resisted full stream of urgent, completely built in stone by local masters of the time (photo dsc 323-339). Returned to start in the direction of the country of Saint Lucia to visit the Mela, the castle overlooking the village and the streets of the center. Through the SP 110 and 113 we head towards Tindari. The summit of an extraordinary view of the Shrine of Tindari and the coast of Messina (doto dsc 340-393). Arrived on SS113 after a few kilometers turn the SP 66 for Ter Saint Lucia del Mela. The navigation system shows us a side street that leads us practically on secrecy of the river! Cross a concrete bridge just off to get a bike and a dirt road after about 500 meters we return again on the road. From below the castle on the top overlooking the entire country. Going forward there in the small streets leading to the castle, but soon after we are back on our steps but not without difficulty, since the road ends with big steps and the space is just enough to turn the bikes! Finally we come to the castle whose origins date back to the Arab period (834/851), as revised during Swabian and Aragonese. From a top view of the coast that stretches from Cape to Cape Calavà vaticano in Calabria in the background and the Aeolian Islands (photo dsc 399-423). After visiting we try to find a table at the two restaurants in the area. Today is May 01 and it is virtually impossible to find the place. So we decide to descend towards the coast at Milazzo for a sandwich. But just on the way we see the Agriturismo Parra "n'to pammentu" tel. 090935764 www.agriturismoparra.it. Luck helps us, the last available table for two is where we are! Excellent food and service excellent, must-try (photo dsc 424-442). After a grande bouffe and forgoing the cake that the owner Mr. Francis has prepared for this occasion only for being overflowing, we head towards Cape Milazzo for a nice walk in the small nature reserve, which leads after a pleasant stroll on promontory from where you can enjoy a magnificent view (photo dsc 444-492). Returning to the motion and after a good start for Roccavaldina coffee. We arrived on the square just below the castle prominence in the early 500, the historic residence of the noble and princely families of Valdina. Just around the corner a little gem, the Old Pharmacy of Roccavaldina established in 1628, known worldwide for its rich collection of vases pharmaceuticals, positioned on the characteristics and ancient wooden shelving high-impact stage. The collection is of extraordinary beauty and collects about 238 pieces of various dimensions of 1580 worked fine hand-made by Antonio Patanazzi, master potter of the school of Urbino (photo dsc 493-510). After a short break at a coffee place we are ready to go to the "mainland"! Since we are already short in Messina for boarding. On the ferry we leave behind a dark and menacing time meter in front of us looks forward to a peaceful evening. Arrived at Villa San Giovanni, take the motorway to Reggio Calabria. After just 10 km are on the seafront of the city and here we find the accommodation comfortable and welcoming B & B "Central" via Brancati 1 / C tel. 0965040067 www.bbcentrale.rc.it situated just 200 meters from the seafront and close to the National Museum and also has a large yard for parking of motorcycles. After a nice hot shower and wear comfortable clothing you do a nice walk and then go to a pizza place to conclude the evening in front of a good pizza and a cold beer.



02 May 2009 (km 207) We get up early and after a hearty breakfast we are ready to visit the Museo Nazionale di Reggio Calabria (photo dsc 522) that houses two masterpieces of ancient art, the famous Bronzes of Riace found in sea off Marina di Riace in 1972 by a young diver Stefano Mariottini. These sensational works of an absolute perfection that leave us breathless anyone facing. After visiting the museum which also houses many exhibits of particular importance, we move along the SS106 towards Taranto on the Ionian coast. Bova Marina come to turn towards the SP 24 Bove door of National Park (photo dsc 527-549). The road is full of curves and beautiful scenery. We head towards Roghudi through a road in bad conditions, only to go off road with a motorcycle but a beauty exciting. Along the way we stop at a stream where water flows clear (photo dsc 550-647) advantage for a short break and a nice drink of fresh water. Roghudi come to an abandoned village on top of a promontory just below the banks of a river. It could well be the set of a film dell'horror! Abandoned houses, deserted streets, doors open seeds (photo dsc 649-665). We continue on the road to the Greek stronghold at very slow pace given the difficulty of the trail and the conditions of the road on its way to Bagaladi (photo dsc 666-670). The surprise here, the road to be closed for Gambarie landslide. We are told that the river there is a dirt road from which you can climb the mountain and then reach beyond the landslide. We try to go but soon after crossing a ford, it was becoming too demanding and Save on a narrow curve can not keep the bike going down without any result. Renounce lift the bike back in the country (photo dsc 671-682). Here we are told that if we return a stronghold of the Greek there is the possibility of reaching Gamabrie in any other way. Start going over the 18 km that separate us from the Greek stronghold. Here we try to eat something, but there's absolutely nothing, except that a small shop where we buy dry bread and bacon for a short snack. The weather does not promise anything good so after the first signs of rain wear the suits. This is where our adventure begins! Of the local people show us the way to Gambarie, arguing that after about 5 km through the woods on a paved road on the left face a short dirt road and in good condition "of about 3 km that will take us straight on the SS183 to Gambarie . Confident we are on the road by sending in the woods (photo dsc 683-729). After more than three kilometers indicatoci, the road starts to become very busy, with fords, steep descents and ascents insidiosissime with mud and large stones. Spent we pause a moment to take breath. My GPS indicates a dot in the middle of the woods! The road is near but we do not know if the road will get worse, and soon enough we are forced to stop. We are facing a beautiful river! We decide to go back, but on the way we meet Stephen and Carmelo Reggio two boys riding their bikes to cross. We are told that the road actually continues until the SS183 but that is not particularly suited to our bikes even though there about 3 km, but since it does not offer it back to us by opening up the track all'asfalto. So we come back with them on our walk up the River. Here Guadiato one at a time the waters of the river and after a few kilometers we arrive exhausted but happy and excited on the SS183 (photo dsc 730-746). Warmly thanked Stephen and Caramel and after a photo to start Gambarie which is about 13 km. The road is beautiful, through the "forest of the fairies" and now the sun at sunset lights up the wood of a magical light (photo dsc 747-832). We arrived on the central square of Gambarie finding accommodation in the convenient and comfortable hotel Mangeruca Central Square, 14 - Tel +39 0965 743133. After a long hot shower we go for dinner perfect trattoria-pizzeria "The Terrace" via delle Ville 20 tel. 0965743093 cell. 3294231775 where we fund our "panza" with appetizers, first, second and not content with half a pizza! Dinner finished, we are approaching the hotel for a short walk digestive (photo dsc 841-845). The fatigue is felt and is now going to sleep, tomorrow we expect another exciting day.



03 May 2009 (289 km) 08.30 Hours beautiful sunny day. After a good breakfast we head to about two kilometers from Gambarie to visit the picturesque Lake Rumia. Parked the bikes we have a nice walk around the lake. There is no living soul around and we enjoy this moment with calm (photos 848-905). Here we meet one of the boys Stefano that first afternoon we met in the woods. After a brief chat we head towards Melia, leaving behind the dell'Aspromonte Park along the road to Scilla. The view is sensational, ranging from head Peloro in Messina, the Calabrian coast, the castle of Scylla (photo dsc 914-976). In short we arrive in the beautiful town of Scilla on the lookout from which you can enjoy a magnificent view over the sea and the beach. Parked the bikes, we visit the picturesque castle on the rock (photo dsc 978-1024) and then head straight to the beach where they take advantage for a mezz'oretta sun lying on the gravel (photo dsc 1025-1028). To finish in beauty choose the restaurant on the sea "De Angelis" with a wonderful terrace overlooking the sea tel. 0965704255 cell. 3294284984 and an excellent lunch of pasta with black squid and swordfish rolls (photo dsc 1030-1039). It 'time to start making way home. We leave with regret Scylla and we head towards Villa San Giovanni through the 10 km of the state along the coast (photo dcs 1040-0010). On the ferry salute Calabria and turned his face on the opposite side of our Sicily welcomes us with open arms, in the end it's always nice to go home. Special thanks to my companion Except for this brief but exciting avventuare on the road. In the next

[fairing factory]

too long

[D.Opivy]

Thank you. With utmost respect I will endeavor to lend support in what ever way I can.

For the last few days I have been in New York city and I expect to be here for at least an additional week. After that time I will be more free to contribute to discussions.

Harold