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Our ways part for a couple of days and a night so
while my friends stay on mainland Sicily I take the ferry to Lipari. This is a
beautiful little island, one of several volcanic islands north of Sicily. Small
islands have an ambience all their own and this one is no exception. Fishing
boats, yachts, a laidback atmosphere…as usual I just mosey around drinking it
all in. I discover a castle with archaeological goodies from Neolithic, Greek,
Roman and Byzantium times, including Greek sarcophagi lined up in the shade and
with stunning views of the water.
After I again meet up with my friends, we go for a
drive in the Nebrodi Mountains, part of which is a nature reserve. Pigs and
horses roam freely here, as do the cows, who wear bells. We enjoy the shade
offered by trees such as cork oak, elm, beech and ash and spot orchids,
delicate pink cyclamen and a marten. We pass babbling brooks and little
waterfalls.
We get lots of good, clear views of Mount Etna from
its north side as well as lovely views of the landscape before heading back
towards Catania, from where we fly home. The last stop on our itinerary is to a
place called Alcantara, where there is waterfall and some rather odd cliffs
that look like they were modelled using strips of clay. I cannot resist taking
off my socks and shoes and wading into the icy cold water. Last chance before
returning to Denmark!
