Today we decided to hire a rental car and take a trip to Etna and Taormina.

The office staff at Capo d’Orlando were fantastic, especially Laura. We asked for a hire car and within 20 minutes she had it delivered to the marina and we set off on our journey. We had to stop off in town at the car hire company to fill in the paperwork and pay. We drew lots for who wou;ld drive and Bill became our driver for the day. I car was grossly uder powered as we soon found out. The GoogleMaps application took us the scenic route, which off course ment cross country and for roads not fit for cattle let alone a car. Indeed some slopes were difficult to ascend, with the wheels spinning for grip. But we mad it. Arrival at Etna was disappointing for two reasons. Firstly it was raining and visibility was poor and secondly, in my point of view, it is very commercialised and not at all like a heritage site. Nonetheless, we had a bit to eat and the set off in a car back down the slopes, which was considerably easier than the climb up, much to Bill’s relief.

The rain had cleared somewhat, and we managed to get some great shoots of the clouds below and the decimated landscape.

We then set off for Taormina, a suggestion of Elaine, Ed’s wife, who texted us that this was a place to visit, and indeed it was.

A fantastic and beautiful town, full of life and culture, beauty and off course thousands of tourists. Wonderful views and spoilt for choice for resturants, bars, shops and churches. Photos below hopefully show its beauty.

 

Bill’s last day was visiting Pompeii, Palermo. Palermo is a busy city, full of wall to wall tourists and the usual tourist shops. Not my cup of tea.

In the evening  we went for a meal in a fantastic fish resturant called Portovecchio, literally 300 metres from the marina. A great fish and pizza resturant which we have been to before, but this time we all decided on fish or Steak. A farewell to Bill, who has to return tomorrow morning. A great sailor and fantastic company. Bon Voyage Bill.

 

On Sunday we venture out to Vesuvius and Pompeii. It’s my second visit to Pompeii and it’s more wonderful and intriguing each time I visit. It’s unbelievable how wonderfully preserved this ancient city is and how devastating it must have been for it inhabitants. You can actually imagine how wonderful life for the romans who lived here must have been, with play and education areas, shops, saunas, baths, theatres and Gladiator games. I could spend hours walking this massive ancient city and will want to visit again some day.