Monday 15th Dec - early rise this morning to catch the train to Messina. We stocked up with food and water the night before as the train leaves at 7.30 am. With just enough time for a coffee and croissant for breakfast at the station we hopped on the train for an 8 hour journey. The train was not that busy so we had a cabin to ourselves. Liam kept busy with electronic games and we had some nice reading time. So glad we stocked up on food as there were no provisions on the train.
When it was time to cross the Strait to Messina the train carriages are very precisely loaded into a ferry. Once on board we could hop off the train and walk around the ferry to watch the crossing, and a chance to get a coffee. The crossing only takes about 35 mins and that includes loading the trains on and off again. Once the train is off the ferry we were at Messina central within minutes. As you enter the harbour the ferry passes a fort like monument with a gold statue on top with the latin inscription meaning "We bless you and your city". A legend says that the Apostle Paul came to Messina to convert the Sicilians to Christianity. Mary responded with a letter sent to the Messina people for her appreciation of their devotion and the letter ended with the words "Vos et ipsam civitatem benedicimus"
It was just starting to get dark so we chose a hotel closeby that I found on bookings.com. "Hotel Touring" looked a little dodgy from the outside but we went ahead. Inside the decor was really gothic and antique, the old man at the desk was friendly enough. Once up to the room is was larger than what we've had previously and clean. The biggest downfall was the whole place reeked of cigarette smoke. We had to sleep with the window open all night which didn't impress Liam as his bed was underneath it.
We had thought about hiring a car in Sicily but after some discussion we decided against it and just head to Palermo tomorrow by train for a few days, and not to try and cram so much in, after adjusting our plans we walked around Messina town. Difficult to get a good perspective at night however it was a pleasant walk. Looking around for somewhere traditional to eat, where do we end up.....MacDonalds! The sacrifices one makes for your kids. My choice tomorrow.