Donica is still in Amsterdam for another week but I'm in Atlanta and actually spent the night with Nicholas last night while Amy is in Chicago. I arrived home Wednesday evening and feel like I'm still on the go. But little by little I will settle down to start giving you some glimpses into our wonderful cruise. And to start catching up on YOUR blogs!
First off, you all know what it's like to receive a gift you didn't expect, and that's exactly what happened as we were on the way to our last port of call, Rome, on our way back to Barcelona. It was a day at sea when we rounded Italy's toe and cruised through the Strait of Messina, only 3.1 km (1.9 miles) between Italy and Sicily.
To the east of us, on the Italy side, was the region/city of Calabria.
To the west of us, on the island of Sicily, was Messina.
And there ahead of us was the strait, looking like no more than a narrow passageway!
On Italy's mainland side was this little red and white lighthouse.
On Sicily's side was this black and white lighthouse.
That was enough to make anyone's day! But wait, there's more!
That was enough to make anyone's day! But wait, there's more!
Within minutes of passing through the strait, we passed by the Stromboli volcano that has been in continuous eruption for the past 2000 years!
I thought the white cloud was exactly that--a white cloud! And what a beautiful cloud it was, I thought.
As we rounded the southwestern point of the island, we could see the little village of 400+ residents who don't care a bit about the volcano being in constant eruption, because it never spews forth its lava on their side of the mountain!
The crater spewing forth its eruptions is on the north side of the island, there on the top left. And that's when I was told by another passenger about the 'cloud' being the volcano's eruption!
And thar she blows as we left her in our wake on the way to Rome. Both coming and going she was a beauty to behold. I'll never forget her.
That's what I mean about Freebies. Never once did I know we'd be gifted with the Strait of Messina, a glimpse of Sicily, or Stromboli's volcano! It wasn't an excursion; it wasn't a port of call. It was just free!
