It wouldn't be a very good idea to walk on these tracks. The tram runs here every half hour.
In one direction.
And somewhere in that space of time, another tram from the opposite direction causes a disturbance to all those bushes that grow next to the tracks. Still, I was there, in the middle, between these two tracks challenging my fate. It could seem like a crazy idea, yes. But no real worries here as it was actually just a joke.
I stood there just for a few seconds, to take a photo.
But to get to safety, we climb onto the platform. From here we can meet the tram that connects the cities between Alicante and Denia (Spain). This tram station (as I wouldn't call it a railway station, that small it is) is located in Altea. A characteristic church with its blue dome and a tower is placed on the top of the old town, and from this point, we can see a little part of it. Did you notice it?
You didn't? Probably as we were focused on the tram. Let's try now without that distraction. But I don't blame you guys if it is still not visible, the roof of the platform on the other side messes up the view.
A different building, but also with blue domes is hiding in the next image, but I will not keep on with this find the church activity. It is not the theme we gathered here to talk about. This post is bringing a tram (which already went toward the next station until now) and a little station with its outbuildings.
A bit of music is coming too, as before I started to write this post I heard the beginning of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto. My son was listening to that great masterpiece in his room, as if the composer, Sergei wanted to come and share a story related to one of his journeys in train and the world premiere of that piece.
It happened in 1909 when the composer himself performed it in New York City. Because of the technical difficulty of the piece, no pianist wanted to prepare it. But Rachmaninoff, as a great pianist as he was, travelled by train toward New York and practised the composition mentally. In a train - could you imagine it?
He definitely could.
Music changed, and views changed too. Now we are seeing the tram station from the street. The white building, next to the station is Gran Hotel La Marina. I think it was also part of the station back in time.
The interior of the building is simple. A ticket vending machine, and one counter - which was closed when I was there.
There are no artworks on the wall, just a little board with the tram route and a window with books. Wow, a nice surprise, to see books that you can take away for free and read while you travel.
By the station, there is a part with two outbuildings, connected with tracks. I suppose they were used as hangars or a place where trains used to be repaired. But I'm not a professional in this field... do you maybe know what these buildings by the stations were used for?
There was an old machine, a kind of crane mounted on a wheeled platform. Parked there just it if would be a part of an outside exposition. I could be wrong though. Maybe it is still used in this little station.
What I do know {correction - I am just reading from this plate} is that it is coming from Vizkaya (a province of the Basque Country).
The Circulation Office was closed too!! I understand... as it was Sunday when my visit to Altea Tram Station happened. I could have chosen a different day 😁
