We left Taormina at 5.30am on 18th May with Wolfgang and Ursula on Pruveda and headed up through the Messina Straits to Scilla. A good 9 hour motor and sail.
We left the anchorage just as the sun was rising and shining on Mount Etna, still smoking.
A typical hill town along the coast and two of the numerous viaducts across the valleys. The coastal road mainly goes in a straight line either across a viaduct or through a tunnel.
Blue sky, blue mountains, blue sea, sunshine and Pruveda in the distance - sailing towards the Messina Straits.
Our anchorage off the beach in Scilla.
The fishing harbour at Bagnara Calabra where we tucked into to sit out strong winds and huge seas. The strange boats in the foreground are the sword fishing boats used around the Messina Straits. The captain and crew are in the platform at the top of the mast, steering the vessel towards the swordfish while the fisherman is at the end of the bowsprit ready to catch it. It looks very unstable but surprisingly not (but I wouldn't want to try it!)
Not always blue skies and sunshine! The reason for us sheltering!
Interesting sealife but I DON'T like jellyfish - especially when I am in the water scrubbing the bottom of the boat!
The beach that we anchored off near Palmi. The grass topped shelter in the centre seemed to be the fishermen's meeting place.
Serenity all alone off the beach near Palmi.
This stretch of coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea is called the Costa degli Dei, the 'Coast of the Gods'
A small bay where we anchored off the point of Capo Vaticano. Despite everything the weather forecast said, Serenity seemed keen to take a closer look at these rocks in the night but anchor was fine so all OK.
Sunset over Stromboli way off in the distance.
The town of Tropea that seemed to "grow" out of the rocky cliffs. An interesting old town - lovely maze of small streets, beautiful architecture and a very efficient dentist who rebuilt Dave's tooth!
The town is known for its clifftop historic centre, beaches and prized red onions and they actually make red onion ice cream! No we didn't try it!
Beautiful bougainvillea
The view from town looking down to our anchorage outside the marina.
Lunchstop in the town - wonderful seafood ravioli.
The centuries-old Santa Maria dell’Isola Church is on a rock overlooking the sea.
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