Sicily – Catania

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A city with a spectacular history in the shadow of Etna. We went up the bell tower of one of the cathedrals to obtain a view over the rooftops.

There was a guy begging on the steps, saying he was hungry. I bought him a lunch but he seemed very unbothered. I think he wanted money.

The Greek/Roman Amphitheatre at Taormina, Sicily, presided over by Mount Etna

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What an incredible setting with Mount Etna in the background. Fantastic views over the sea.

The Streets of Taormina, Sicily

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Sicilians go in for a very bright, garish pottery that makes for a colourful presentation. You can get a feel of how the place would have been in times gone by. A very heavy religious presence coupled with a militaristic feel. All presided over by the volcano.

The colourful Sicilian Streets of Taormina

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Maybe it’s the sunshine but everything seems to glow with brightness. The colours are intense.

The Lunar Landscape that is Etna – Europe’s biggest active volcano.

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Travelling up into the misty sky on the ash spewed out from an active volcano is quite an experience. the ash-strewn landscape is barren and atmospheric. Above us the crater spews smoke and a trickle of lava oozes.

Approaching Mount Etna – Sicily.

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We could see Etna smoking away in the distance. We boarded a train and set off across the fertile farmland festooned with wildflowers, past the great lava fields with their blackened rugged landscape towards Europe’s biggest active volcano!

Sicily – Letojanni – Art, Religion and the Mafia

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The three-legged lady represents the island of Sicily. The sun looks like a sun god to me. The whole place is steeped in religion and the mafia – old castles, town squares, hill fortresses and villages. Lots to see.

Sicily – Walking around Letojanni

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We walked down from our hotel up in the hills to take a stroll along the beach and have a look around Letojanni. It used to be a small fishing village but now it’s more of a tourist town. The views from our hotel were glorious! Temperature around 25 degrees.

Sicily – Letojanni

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We have just returned from a little jaunt to Sicily and stayed in a small town called Letojanni. Here’s a few photos of the place. Great to get a feel for Sicily.

The Godfather film was filmed around here.

Life on the Suez Canal

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It’s quite an amazing stretch of water running through the desert, heavily fortified, fishing and towns. Some look like they’re still being built others that they’ve been abandoned.