Last we night we held a dinner for all the relatives in Catania. It was a token of appreciation for for the hospitality they have provided while we were here. Tony cooked some Carbonara and veal scollapini and Clara brought some pasta Norma. The food was delicious and the company was refreshing on what was a balmy night in Catania.
Today was another treat! Enter stage left - Mt Etna! This mountain is the highest peak in Sicily and is composed of many smaller peaks containing active craters. Concetto drives us to the equivalent of base camp located approximately 2000 metres above sea level. Here are many souvenir shops and conveniences as well as craters that can be reached on foot. All around us, the landscape looks like the surface of the moon. The air is cold too, about 18 degrees here compared to the 29 degrees we left in Catania. Our destination on foot is Cratera Silvestri, approximately 300 metres up on foot walking on slippery lava gravel. Unfortunately, Johanna suffered badly in the car with the windy road and has stayed close to the conveniences. Ruby and Lucy are keen to make the trek with Concetto and I. It is a difficult ascent. Very slippery and a little dangerous. Lucy and Ruby are wearing thongs! Ruby gets half way up and says that she can't make it any further. Lucy, Concetto and I continue on.
The view from the top of the crater is breathtaking. Uninterrupted views of Cantania and parts of Sicily with the main crater of Etna smoking away deep behind us. The landscape is barren and burnt by the yearly eruptions from these craters. At one point on the crater we had descent all around us. It felt like we were flying. Truly an amazing experience.
On the way back to our apartment we stopped at a small town called Zafferano. Here we enjoyed the local specialty, pizza sicilia. Yes, I know, pizza again! This pizza was different though. It was like a calzone with the toppings enclosed then deep fried. It was delicious!
The night time was spent packing and eating left overs as we prepare for our final leg - Roma!