54 Days on the Moon

[drron]

Getting close to where we have to stop. Even up here there is graffiti.





A lava tube.

 

[drron]

It wasn't long ago this area was reopened and they hope to reopen a stopping point higher up later this year. There is a gondola up from this point but we didn't have time to do that.

 

[drron]

We stopped where there were restrooms and you could get refreshments. There were some interesting local products from the lower slopes of Etna.

 

[drron]

This was at the back of the restaurant/gift shop. These rocks were quite warm whereas elsewhere nearby they were not.

 

[drron]

We now went to walk around one ofthe minor craters from earlier eruptions. There were several slow people in the group so I figured I could walk to 2 of the craters even though one was up a steeper hill. I figured right. So the first crater which when I got up the hill turned out to be a group of craters.





At this crater there was a large group og German schoolkids. Things haven't changed since I was a nipper. They stood at the edge of the crater and counted Ein, Zwei, drei and on the count of 3 they all threw a rock into the crater..

 

[drron]

Back down and a whole line of busses.


And a van with more local products.




And ice beside the road.


Then off to the second crater.

 

[drron]

And that is our group.



Down in the crater which they did not go into I was able to see the reddish lava formed because of a high iron content.




So not only was I able to walk around the crater but go into the crater but had time to buy myself a mini calzone as I was peckish. They advertise that it was made with gluten free wheat. Needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Here is the place.






Not that great but kept the wolves from the door.
So now it is back down the mountain.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

As you can see we are going through the clouds now.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

The magnificent cruise terminal.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

Back on board and we shared a porcini pizza for lunch.


And the final scenes of Giordnia Naxos.

 

[drron]

Another late afternoon sail away with sun setting on Mt.Etna.

 

[drron]

It was off to SALT tonight. Sorry I forgot to take pictures of the menu. First the wines and their usual bread offerings.





Mrsdrron started with spring onion wrapped in prosciutto.I had pasta Norma a recipe of this part of Sicily.




My pasta was good.Mrsdrron couldn't cut the spring onion easily. In all restaurants most knives are blunt.
Mrsdrron had the chicken breast stuffed with pistachios and I Kumquat glazed duck.




Both good.
For dessert Mrsdrron had watermelon jelly and I chocolate baklava.



OK but not outstanding.

 

[Guvner]

What was your impression of Taormina? We've booked a villa there in July. Took a gamble as I don't know much about it.

 

[drron]

What was your impression of Taormina? We've booked a villa there in July. Took a gamble as I don't know much about it.

We didn’t get to Taormina but my brother in law has spent March to May there for 20 years and loves the place.

 

[Quickstatus]

@drron, how much time is allocated for day excursions?

 

[drron]

Anywhere from 3 to 8 hours.

 

[Pushka]

What was your impression of Taormina? We've booked a villa there in July. Took a gamble as I don't know much about it.

Taormina is delightful. We loved it.