Home
Up
Outfitting Ventana
Seamanship
Red Sea
No. Indian Ocean
So. Indian Ocean
Pacific Log
Caribbean Log
Cruising Notes
Travels
Ports 1996-2009
Frequent Questions
Sailor's Weather
Logs 1996-2001
Outfitting A Boat
Ads & Articles
Contact Us
Table of Contents
Related Links

 

 

Israel Cyprus Turkey Greece Croatia Italy Sicily Sardinia Corsica Monaco France Spain Gibraltar 

Sicily
 

Our landfall in Sicily was a dramatic anchorage below the town of Taormina.  Taormina town sits on a hillside about 1,000 feet directly above the anchorage. The bus ride to town was up a set of nearly vertical switchbacks straight up the hill. We made the trip several times as our stay there coincided with a music festival featuring free concerts nightly. 

Sicily is the home of Mt. Etna one of the most active volcanoes in the world.  At nearly 11,000 feet and only a few miles from the sea the road to it is steep and rugged.  On the short hike we took up the volcano we were not disappointed as it was constantly spewing sulfur  and ash into the air.

From Sicily we transited the straits of Messina trying to get a boost from the 4 knot current and simultaneously dodge the 33 knot hydrofoil ferries.  The straits are also plied by strange looking boats hunting swordfish.  The boats have a spotting tower 50 feet or more off the deck and a bow sprit for the harpooner that projects out 100' in front of the boat. 

Click on any photo to enlarge it.  Then hit your back button to return here.

          
Cliffside Taorimina                                 Ferry at 33 knots                             Italian Beach

          
The church in the main square of Taoramina featured a skull and cross bones 

         
The incredible swordfish hunting boats with 50 foot towers and bowsprits             Rolly anchorage

            

Back to Top.

Webmaster- Rob Dubin                            © copyright 2003-2010   Rob  Dubin               Page Last updated 05/09/2010