S1.22 - Weathering a Storm in Porto di Tropea
Sept 3: Volcanoes, Dolphins and Marinas
We set sail at 7:30 am, gearing up for another full day cruise ahead. With promising winds on the horizon, we anticipated a chance to unfurl the Genoa. Sure enough, by 8:00 am, Ryan had it up and fluttering, only to swiftly lower it back down as the winds just as quickly died.
Our route offered a striking silhouette of Stromboli's volcano, a sight we had initially considered exploring up close. However, with a 75-mile round trip, we opted against it.
Mount Stromboli, one of the four active volcanoes in Italy.
If you zoom in, you can the white smoke erupting from its mouth.
Instead, our attention was captivated by a pod of dolphins dancing ahead, their playful antics a delightful interruption in our day-long passage. Watching them feed, with one dolphin orchestrating the meal, was a highlight, breaking the monotony of the sea.
As the day unfolded, Ryan and I found solace on the bow, soaking in the sun's warmth and relishing the tranquility of our journey.
After an extended 11.5-hour day, we deliberated between a simple anchoring in the bay and the more complicated for us beginners… mooring in the marina. We eventually settled on the cozy confines of the Tropea Marina, even if it meant a slight increase in blood pressure until we would fully secured. Positioned conveniently across from amenities like restaurants, a salon, and a grocery store, it promised convenience.
Yet, our perfect spot came with a challenge we weren’t expecting — the dock's height. Undeterred, Ryan valiantly attempted to deploy our Pascrell, but after several unsuccessful tries on both starboard and port sides, we conceded defeat. Frustrated but undeterred, Ryan stowed it away, while the dockhands provided a plank as a makeshift solution.
Sept 4: Settling In
Ready to unwind and explore, and despite a minor setback with my (what I thought were) three broken toes (an injury I sustained on our recent trip to Germany), discovering a laundry service just a three-minute walk away brought immense relief. And when Ryan surprised me with massages booked directly across from us—a mere 30-second stroll—I couldn't contain my excitement.
However, our joy was tempered by the discovery that our master bedroom porthole had come loose. Ryan immediately sprung into action, liaising with Privilege once again to resolve the issue.
A leaking porthole. No bueno!
As "severe" weather loomed, we secured the boat tightly with the winch before settling in for the night, opting for a cozy evening indoors.
Sept 5-6: Privilege to the Rescue and Exploring Tropea
The next days brought unexpected challenges as hurricane-like winds hovered near the Strait of Messina, disrupting our plans to sail around the tip of the boot.
Thankfully, Privilege swiftly arranged for a local boatyard to address the loose porthole. With the repair underway, we decided to extend our stay in Tropea, prioritizing safety over haste.
We are the Blue dot. The White dot is the Straights of Messina where we needed to cross.
Seizing the opportunity to explore Tropea's charms and with the porthole repair completed, we embarked on a leisurely stroll to the historic clifftop center, braving its 200 steps.
The Rock of Tropea
200 Steps to the Top!
Along the way, we encountered quaint shops and their prized red onions.
Streets of Historical Tropea
There were loads of these onions at each corner market
“One of the five ports of Hercules, chosen along with four others of the Mediterranean, for having hosted the landing of Hercules returning from Spain.”
Back on Lucky Enough, we were fortunate to meet our new neighbor, Andrea F. as he was mooring his 47-foot FP Catamaran, "Annabella" next to us. Sharing tales over glasses of wine, we learned valuable insights for our upcoming journey into Greece, including the necessity of a Transit Log, which we would plan for.
Thanks Andrea! We look forward to keeping in touch with you.
In just a few days, Tropea had become more than a pit stop—it was a haven of unexpected discoveries and warm encounters, setting the stage for the adventures that lay ahead.