Sunday May 3 2009 - it’s a beautiful day in Northern Sicily, sunny and about 20 degC (68 degF). We arranged to meet Shell & Bill, Dale & Stan dockside, planning to negotiate a tour with a local taxi, so we were happy to find they’d already arranged something when we went ashore around 09.00am. 25 euros each for 4 hours, 6 of us in a Mercedes eight seater, so it was a fair deal for us and 37.5 euros per hour for the taxi.
The road up to Taormina
We sped up the highway toward our first destination, Taormina, 150 kph all the way, nice modern roads which wound up the side of the mountain as we got close to Taormina. We’d been there before, but didn’t mind a second visit as it’s a very picturesque village sitting on the side of the mountain, it also has a superb 3rd century Greco-roman outdoor amphitheatre.
Dale and Izzy, Bill and Shell in Taormina
09.40am saw us standing at the entrance to the lower end of the old section of town ’be back here at 11.30am, I pick you up’ our driver told us, that would allow for the 40 minute drive back to town and time for a short tour of Messina and sights. We headed up Corso Umberto, the main shopping street, stopping to view the gothic cathedral with its’ pretty baroque fountain in front and spending some time in the large public square perched on the cliffside overlooking the Ionian Sea.
Me and Izzy above the Ionian Sea
Biker kid in Taormina
Since our time was limited we made our way to the amphitheatre which had been recommended as worthy of a visit and from memory provided spectacular views of Mount Etna and the sea far below. The entry fee was 6 euros, which somehow we managed to avoid paying (the guard was temporarily indisposed) so we made our visit and then headed back down hill, stopping for a gelato (E2) and then a glass of wine (E3.50) while we waited for the return of our taxi.
Me and Izzy and a glass of wine
The amphitheatre in Taormina
Terra Cotta pots in Taormina
The trip back was a hair raising affair as we sped downhill most of the way trying to make Messina before noon when the cathedral bell tower clock ran through its’ entire routine of animated figures, incidentally it’s the worlds largest astronomical clock, whatever that means. Anyway we didn’t get there ‘til 12.10pm so we missed most of the performance, but it is a spectacular tower and we did see the last few movements.
The clock tower in Messina
Suddenly we had to return to our taxi as the driver wanted to dump us there, he was still expecting 50 euros per couple, so we exchanged some heated words on how he hadn’t provided the promised 4 hours and we would only pay 40 euros per couple, this culminated in a few hand signals on both sides, 45 euros per couple being thrust into his grasping paw and a fast departure being made by all. Fortunately the cathedral was only about 10 minutes walk from the ship and we knew where we were. I’d never climbed the tower before so I took this opportunity, Izzy stayed at the bottom and I paid my E3.50 and set off up the stairs. Money well spent, it was one of the more interesting towers I’ve ever climbed and I’ve climbed a lot of towers, the complete workings of the clock and figures are easily viewed from the inside of the tower and the open parapet on top allowed great views of the city, add to that, there were fewer than 20 other people in the tower making the visit all the easier.
Inside the clock tower in Messina
After I came back down, we sat for a while almost having a glass of wine in the sun watching the world go by, then walked back to the ship for a late lunch around 02.00pm. In the evening, after dinner, we went to a show by the world renowned singer, Bobby Arvon, who I’m sure everyone will remember sang the theme song to the TV show, Happy Days. Anyway, after Googling him, he’s 68 years old and still has a terrific clear steady voice, he did some excellent impersonations and played a mean piano, I really enjoyed his act.
Next Post
