We left Malta late Monday the 10th to cruise overnight to Marsala, on the west coast of Sicily. As soon as we checked into customs, we then left for the island 'Favignana'. This is the largest of the Egadi islands. It is only 10 nautical miles from Marsala and it takes one hour to cross.
This island is barren and flat, with a mountain range dissecting it in the middle.
The weather is still very calm and warm, we enter into a very sheltered bay 'Lido Di Burrone'. These islands are not really on the main tourist map. It is very quiet with a handful of tourists around but this makes it a nice place for us to visit.
We take our bicycles like many others on the roads to tour the island. After a very bumpy ride on mostly unmade tracks we end up at the only Island town of 'Porto'.
This Island was at one time very wealthy due to the very large Tuna industry. During the 19th and early 20th century, huge tuna factories were developed by the 'Florio' family, who controlled the biggest tuna fleet in the Mediterranean. We had met Alex Florio, the last of the dynastic Florios, in Palermo in 1999. This family also started the famous 'Targa Florio' car race. Their name is very prominent in the town including street names, a palace and a statue in the main square.
The large tuna factories they built are now abandoned due to the loss of the tuna in the Mediterranean. The town is fairly desolate but has retained some fabulous food produce shops and several restaurants.
An interesting aspect about the island is that it appears to be one large quarry. It seems that the locals excavate the stone on their properties to built their houses, and leave large excavations in their yards.
The house design is more moorish or Spanish in appearance, white square boxes in desolate gardens with scattered cacti and some palms.
Paul and MB go fishing hoping to catch a small tuna that apparently it is possible to see here. There is no tuna but MB catch's a Barracuda. These are good eating in the med, a white fleshy fish, that we have for dinner. There are also a lot of Garfish around but not easy to catch.
We played canasta at night with MB and Anne beating JB and Phip.
The next day the weather is still good but Paul is worried it is going to deteriorate badly. We go for a long bike ride around the Island, again it is very rugged but there are some beautiful beaches with turquoise water.
Thursday, we are back in Marsala marina as the weather is changing for the worst. We visit the museum of archaeology and the 'Punic ship', found in the harbour. The museum is great, housed in an old wine producing factory. The exhibits are mainly from Greek settlements from 500 BC. The Punic ship was from the first punic war, between the Romans and Carthaginians in about 250 BC. The Romans were beaten in this war, but learned a lot about ships.
The town is quiet, quaint and the people
are friendly. We have lunch with a tasting of Marsala wine.
The next day, the weather has become feral. There are 40+ knot winds and very rough 3 meter seas. We are happy to be tied up safely in the port.
We hire a car for 30 Euros a day in Marsala town. We travel 1.5 hours south along the coast to 'Sciacca', to play golf at the 'Rocco Forte resort 'Vedura'.
This is a five star resort with a 36 hole link style course, right on the beach.
We play the championship course, the best 18 holes of the 36, used for the Sicilian open.
It is a very good golf course but the wind makes it very tough. We don' t finish as it starts to rain heavily, and Phip and Anne have to return to BP for their bags and travel to Palermo airport for their respective flights.
Overnight the weather is really fowl with lots of rain and strong winds. After dinner we watch the second series of the great BBC detective show 'Luther'.
Saturday the wind has dropped, but the rain is still torrential.
However, together with Captain Paul we decide to return to Verdura golf club and hope the weather will improve. We play the East Course, which we decide is better than the one we played the previous day. MB is on his game today and beats JB to become one up in the European cup.
Sunday. The sun is out again and the wind has dropped. Subject to Niels getting the broken freezer repaired with the local tradesmen, we are off to Sardinia.
We ride our bikes into the center of town for mass at the 'Duomo'. This is a beautiful church and we are surprised the mass is being celebrated by such a young priest.
Back on board Paul advises we are departing after lunch for the 24 hour cruise to 'Olbia'.
JB and Mick