Day 15 - Mt. Etna and Taormina

Mt. Etna...it erupted the last time on October 27, 2002. It is one of the largest active volcanoes in the world (10,902 feet) and we climbed it...hiked to the newest crater.

We saw evidence of a ski lift and a hotel that WAS there before the eruption. The destruction covered such a large area. As we hiked, we had to be in single file behind our guide because he was basically making the trail as we went. He does this every day! He certainly had to be in good shape...it was definitely a hike!


In the photo on the left, can you see us in single file? Right photo: When we were up by the crater, our guide got down and dug into the ground and pulled out rocks SO HOT we couldn't hold them...and the eruption has been nearly 4 years ago!
In the photo on the right, you can see some of us hiking around the crater. It was a wider area to walk on than this picture appears!
After the hike, we went down to Rifugio Ragabo to have lunch. This was a restaurant that I assume was used as a ski lodge when you could ski there. After lunch we had an educational meeting on Mt. Etna and volcanoes in general. Most of us heard the entire presentation...but a few of us had been in the restroom at the restaurant when everyone left. We came out and it was eerily quiet...we could NOT find the group for quite a while. Finally we talked to a group camping nearby and they told us which way everyone had walked. We found them and heard the last half of the presentation.

From there we went to Taormina. This is said to be one of the most magnificent and popular towns in Sicily. It is set on a steep hill overlooking the Mediterranean and has great views of Mt. Etna.

The gelato is something I haven't talked about. Ask about any of the delegates and they will tell you how delicious it was! It's the Italian ice cream...and...well, we ate a LOT of gelato!...especially Stephen.

We did some shopping in Taormina. 'Big Andy' was looking for an apron for his dad. You can again see the narrow streets of these small towns and their hanging of the Italian flag. Remember the World Cup had just ended and the Italians were HAPPY!

Chad and I went and explored the ruins of an ancient theater in the town. We had to pay to get in, but it was well worth it. There was one price if you were European...and a higher price if you weren't!

Back in Catania, I tried to take a photo of the crazy Italian drivers. This photo doesn't really do it justice. The center line in a street? Well, it probably means that if you're on one side you should go one direction, but it's OK if you want to cross over. Just be sure and scoot over before someone hits you head on...but then again, they'll stop. Oh, and you want to get into traffic from the side? No problem, just head on in anytime you want. Even the police do! It was WILD! Watermelon was everywhere on the street corners...actually all sorts of produce was being sold out on the streets.

Riding on the bus back to our hotel in Catania, some of the girls made plans to get together and paint fingernails, do hair, and put on make-up...sort of a 'Girl's (and Stephen) Night Out!'

This was the end of our time on the island of Sicily and the country of Italia. It was hard to believe that it was already the end of day 15!