Stromboli
What we wanted was this:
After a slow sail, we arrived at Stromboli on the evening of July 24th – 3 months too early! The ‘spectacular’ lava flows were not in evidence – just a little sparkler on the summit to assure everyone that yes, this is an active volcano. As I write this now, Stromboli is in full voice once again. Rats!
Following our evening of viewing, we made our way to the anchorage outside the town of Stromboli. We plan not to arrive at night – and here we are arriving in the pitch black. It was difficult to work out quite where to anchor but as it turned out in the light of day, we’d managed pretty darn well!
We took a walk around the town – narrow streets that could barely accommodate Tut-Tuts and if one came by you had to breathe in! The main church at the top of the hill was impressive in its airiness, though it has suffered some damage due to subsidence.
For dinner we ate at the best pizza joint we’ve ever been to – bar none! Da Giovanni. He has the normal selections and then I queried the waiter (his son) about a section of the menu I didn’t understand – which he explained were his father’s specials. Boy! Were they ever! Delicious!
Lipari
The following day we made our way 20 miles south to Lipari. There was no wind, so it was a power boat ride. We motored past the town of Lipari as the anchorages there don’t get rave reviews, so we went all the way to the south, then up the west coast a little way to a “good anchorage.” It was OK but there was not much there! We did catch a nice sunset and decided to stay a second night so that I could put some grease on the propeller and replace the anodes.
The next day we motored back to Lipari – which turns out to be a quaint little town, did some shopping, got a so-so pizza and then motored back to a spot we’d passed earlier and spent a delightful evening there!
Sicily
The following morning we set off for the Straits of Messina – which separate Italy from Sicily. There was no wind so it was a straight motor to an anchorage just north of the Strait. With zero protection we were concerned about getting swell and rolling all night, but fortunately it wasn’t an issue.
The following morning we set off – once again motoring – for the straits where we watched the Swordfish boats with their crazy gantries. Then made an expensive stop at the single pump fuel station – ouch!
Now that we’d replenished our fuel supply, the wind came up with a vengeance, so we stormed through the strait – and then it quit! We’d hoped to be able to head straight to Greece, but instead we made a stop at Spropolo – our only stop on Italy proper (and we didn’t get off)…
Tomorrow: 240 or so miles to Zakynthos, Greece.