Sicily | Globe Trottin' Granny

When our cruise ship docked at Messina, Sicily region of Italy, the tour package we chose included some free time to explore the charming little town of Taormina before heading back to the ship. Although it is never enough time to really explore the area, it is the favorite part of a trip for me.

Our cruise was fabulous, but as this type of travel goes there is never enough time, and too many people to really enjoy what the place has to offer. But especially the first time that I have traveled to an area, I like to take a cruise and the crowded tours, because I don’t want to go there and not have seen some of the famous sites. This type of travel also gives me information on places I would like to visit again, and spend more time.

Here is what Daren, my husband did while I was exploring the shops in Taormina.

Spending time with a Cappuccino

Here are some pictures he took of the area around where he was waiting.

Photo by Daren R. Couch Taormina

Oh, and shopping… this is what I got.

Oil and Vinegar Set from Taormaina, Italy Photo by Daren R. Couch

An Historic Time at the Vatican

Mount Stromboli and Sea Photo by Daren R. Couch

If you thought you would get the answer to the question, you will be disappointed. The same question can be asked for why people rebuild in hurricane zones, mud slide areas, places that flood every few years, and earthquake prone areas.

Some of those answers may be because it is familiar to them, or because of the beauty of living there when there isn’t a disaster, or because of a business that makes a good living from a tourist destination. Maybe you can think of a few reasons too. Be sure to share these in the comments. It will be interesting to hear these.

I have seen examples of this in the San Salvador area of El Salvador, with people living at the base of a volcano, and in Hawaii, the same thing. Last week I saw it at Mt. Etna in Sicily, and at Mt. Stromboli, north of Sicily.

Mt. Etna has erupted at least 5 times this year. (2012) When we saw it, white smoke was coming from it. Our guide said, that is the first sign of an eruption coming. Most eruptions are small, but some do spew lava. Most of time the lava spew is not enough to cause damage. Seismologist monitor the active volcano to know better when there is danger. For the locals, they can really tell it is serious when the helicopters start flying, and hovering at the volcano.

Mt. Stromboli has been in almost a constant state of eruption for the last 2000 years. It is a different kind of eruption, and that type of eruption is called a Strombolian eruption. Even with other volcanoes, it is called the same term. The eruptions are mild to moderate with incandescent smoke bombs, lasting a few minutes to a few hours. The eruptions may occur every few minutes, or few hours. When we passed Mt. Stromboli on the cruise ship, there was a mild eruption three times. It does spew enough lava at times to cause major damage. Some of those times were in 2002, 2003, and 2007.

Here are some pictures of Mt. Etna, and Mt. Stromboli.