Greece Part 9. Last port o' call! Sicily and Mt. Etna!

Balcony sunset

Our last port of call: Messina (Sicily), Italy.

Another fab excursion! We took a bus to Mt. Etna and explored a crater. 

The colors tell the story of the oldest to youngest lava flows.

The colors also tell the story of the mineral content! Here's some iron-rich lava 

A bit windy!

Afterwards, we had a fabulous Italian lunch and wine tasting at the Oro d'Etna winery.

Leaving Sicily...

We had a sea day. 

*representative photo. Not the actual sea day 😉

and then debarkation!

I bought a tour to use up some of my time in Barcelona. It was a bus tour with airport transfer. The guide was the worst of the bunch, but I got to see a little of the city. We stopped at the museum of art to take in the views (but not the museum itself), and then they let us out to explore the gothic district and the touristy market area.

Last day brekkie -- I was on my own, as Trish had an earlier flight and got off the boat at first opportunity. 

That's what they call me!

We had a few pictures taken of us on the ship.

I was cracking up at the traditional ship photographer that contorts you all ways to get "the" shot. 

Stay tuned for one last post! 

Greece Part 8. Back to Greece: Corfu

Another day, another island. 

Today, the island of Kerkyra, which is the home of the city of Corfu. 

Once again, a winner of an excursion, with a trip to the Achillion Palace with a wonderful guide. 

We were able to tour only the gardens, as there is a restoration project happening. Still, it was a wonderful visit.

The palace was built by an Austrian Empress, who loved Achilles and dedicated the space to him.

Empress Elisabeth, who did not smile, reportedly because her teeth were in bad condition due to a tobacco habit

The olives on Corfu are small; they are used for oil

A muse

Another muse (or three)!

Lord Byron again, hanging out in the garden

The big guy, Achilles.

A beautiful sculpture, Achilles Dying (1884), by German artist Ernst Herter.

Views of the Ionian Sea from the estate

The town of Corfu in a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has a colorful history of many empires ruling the island over the last 3000 years, including the Athenians, of course, also the Romans, the Ottomans and the Venetians. The neoclassical buildings are protected and they are not allowed to be changed or restored. The streets are very narrow. 

There were six (!) ships docking in Corfu that day. We were happy that our tour was early. Swimming against the crowds back to the ship was nerve-wracking.

Back on board, I enjoyed this piece by Eric Fan.