Day 208: Beach Hopping

Fiume Lao to Paola

Distance: 55km

A quiet night if it wasn't for a couple of idiots lighting a firework at the beach in the middle of the night. But I fell asleep rather quickly. 

The friendly security guard is already waiting, when I approach the gate. I was told yesterday, he would open it for me.

After some small talk, I am on my way again. I am doing more road walk than I was planning because the gravelly sand is very slow going. So after a kilometer I give up and follow a mix of promenades sidewalks and roads.

In Diamante, I get invited for a coffee by the owner of a Cafe. In return I pose for photo for the Cafe's Facebook page. Seems like I get some local fame :D

In the next village, I stop for some pastries. One of them a chocolate croissant. Nearly bursting because it's stuffed with chocolate. Exactly the way I like it. Unlike these pathetic ones with just a trace of chocolate. 

This one is keeping me full for a while. 

Overall, it's a good day walking. I eventually stop counting my numbers of swimms today. The beaches are so plentiful and accessible, I can't resist. Especially, around lunch time and early afternoon, when the heat is my biggest enemy.

As I try to avoid wild camping in this rather busy area, I Google a campground in Paola. Missing language skills on both ends make check in a challenge. Eventually, it works though. Super basic,but enough

Everything I need (water, electricity and a hot shower). 20 meters from the railway line connecting Calabria with the north. The boulder beach is accessible via a narrow tunnel beneath the tracks. I'm sitting there as I am writing this. Enjoying yet another lovely sundowner.