Serenity: Taormina, Messina Straits to Vulcano in Aeolian Islands

Pete comes to stay

Pete joined us in Siracusa and we had a few days there before I returned to the UK. He and Dave then sailed with Skylark up to Brucolli, Catania, Naxos and Taormina.

Views from the town of Taormina and hill town of Casellmole where Dave, Pete, Chris and Desi went for a day trip.

View down to Isola Bella, the nature reserve

Street scene

Beautiful bougainvillea

Pete left the boat at Taormina and a few days later I returned from the UK and joined Dave on Serenity with Chris and Desi on Skylark2

Skylark2 leaving George's mooring field in Taormina with Mount Etna in the background.

Georg, Suzy, Toni, Marija and Georg junior came to stay and we went on the open top bus tour to Taormina and Casellmole

Looking down to the bay from Casellmole

Early morning start from Taormina bay heading north through the Messina Straits

A very relaxed looking crew! Georg junior, Suzy and Georg

Toni and Marija

We were lucky enough to see these incredible swordfishing boats through the straits. You can see the captain and crew controlling the boat from their lookout nest at the top of the mast. When they spot a swordfish sleeping near the surface they steer the boat and the harpoonist goes out to the end of the bowsprit to catch it. You can just see his platform way out in front of the boat to the right of the photo.

Marija trying out the helm. Interesting uphill sea! Yes we were heeled over!!

Georg junior on a more even keel!

Our first stop was in Reggio di Calabria where we sheltered from a thunderstorm before arriving here in Scilla - a lovely little fishing town on the big toe of Italy!

Looking down at Serenity moored to the left of the small boats.

We arrive in Porte Levante on the island of Vulcano in the Aeolian islands. The actual volcano is on the left of the picture and off to the right is the hot mud pool!