BACKGROUND INFO:
VOLCANOES ETNA AND STROMBOLI
Today we passed by two active volcanoes. The first was Mt Etna on the east side of Sicily which we had a wonderful view of as we passed through the Strait of Messina this morning. Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity. It is by far the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy. It is also the tallest at nearly 11,000 feet in all of Europe. Its fertile volcanic soils support agriculture, with extensive vineyards and orchards on its lower slopes and in the broad plain below to the south. The first volcanic activity actually began here 500,000 years ago and has continued constantly throughout the years since with varying degrees of intensity. The most recent event was on March 16th of this year resulting in the injury of 10 people including a BBC film crew. Eruptions of Etna follow a variety of patterns. Most occur at the summit where there are currently five distinct craters. Etna is one of Sicily's main tourist attractions and it also has two ski resorts on its slopes.
This afternoon at 1:00 pm we passed about five miles from the small island of Stromboli lying in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the north coast of Sicily (shown in middle map above). Its height is 3,000 feet above the sea with another 5800 feet below the sea to the floor. It is one of the three active volcanoes in Italy. Mt Stromboli has been in almost continuous eruption for the past 2000 years. The most recent major eruption was in April of 2009. It has three active craters at its top. There are two villages on the northeast side of it and one on the southwest. In the early 1900's a few thousand inhabitants lived on the island but now there are only about 500. Talk about being an isolated place to live!! Only way off the island is by boat.
STRAIT OF MESSINA
The Strait of Messina is a narrow passage way between east Sicily and western tip of south Italy. It connects the Ionian Sea, from which we came from, to the Tyrrhenian Sea which we are now in on our way to Civitavecchia (Rome). At its narrowest point it is only 1.9 miles wide separating Sicily and Italy. At that point in 1957 an overhead power line was built over the Strait. The pylons on each side are the tallest in the world. Since then a sub-marine power cable has replaced the overhead lines but the pylons still stand. Also over 300 species of birds use the Strait as a major transit point for their migration each year. Presently there is a ferry going back and forth across the Strait. For some time there has been talks for years about building a bridge to connect Sicily with Italy. Talks were began again in 2009 to build a 4 mile bridge 200 feet wide supporting 6 lines of traffic and a railway at the cost of over $6 billion. There would be two supporting pillars taller that the Empire State Building.
WHAT WE DID TODAY:
This morning our friends, Brad and Carla Sue, organized a biscuits and gravy breakfast at 8:30 in Compass Rose. This was the second attempt by the cooks to make it for this group. They do not have bulk sausage so have to cut up sausage links to make it. That is a big task when feeding at least 20 people. They were tasty but once again not nearly enough gravy. Brad said he should bring them a picture to go by.
In the middle of breakfast Jamie announced we were passing by the Etna volcano and it was a great view. So I hurriedly finish my breakfast and went up to get some photos for you. It was a spectacular sight for sure as you will be seeing in my photos.
At 10:30 the President and CEO of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Jason Montague, held a town hall meeting in the theater. It was a full house and there were some interesting comments, complaints, questions, and compliments shared by our fellow passengers with Jason. He got an ear full from some of the world cruise passengers about this WC not being up to what was done in the past. I tended to agree with them. Although he denies it, Regent is cutting back in many areas. He admitted to being a protege of Frank Del Rio, now President and CEO of NCL who recently purchased Regent and Oceana. Del Rio is a big time bean counter!! Hopefully Jason learned something this morning.
At 1:00 pm while we were having lunch up in La Veranda, we passed by the majestic Mt Stomboli jutting out from the ocean. It is an active volcano and smoke from its summit was clearly visible today. Got some good photos of it also for you.
We did not go the hear the flutist's show last night. Not really a big surprise, I guess for me, but I'm sure he was very good. Maybe next show in a few days.
This evening is the Seven Seas Society reception again (once every segment) at 6:00 pm. It is also formal optional tonight. We are meeting some friends, John & Cathy Begg, for cocktails and dinner again this evening. Our favorite is on the menu, miso marinaded Chilean sea bass. YUMMY!
Tonight's show is featuring Terry Bishop who has been on board lecturing and performing for the past couple of months. His lectures are very good. We have not heard him perform so want to go tonight as he will be disembarking tomorrow in Rome.
Speaking of which, tomorrow we will be docking in the port for Rome, Civitavecchi. It is a 90 minute bus ride each way from the port to Rome. We have been to Rome several times, and as lovely as it is, we are not going on any tours tomorrow. I, at least, will probably go into the town of Civitavecchi however.
Ok, here are today's volcanoes photos as well as the Strait of Messina photos. As a reminder if you are new to my blog, you will have to cut and paste this link to another open browser. After opening it you can right click on the first photo which should enlarge it and my captions should appear on the right side. Mid left on photo when you move your cursor over it will be an arrow to page through the photos. One on right side if go back.
https://goo.gl/photos/uwT9SJN7sNJRysws6
I hope you enjoy them.
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