Day 20. 4th of July. Cruise ship – Sicily

Today was American Independence Day, and while we were in Italy, on a ship of 4,000 passengers (plus staff) with something like 50% of the passengers being American this day did not go unnoticed. 

We set off to get far away from the port town of Messina and to another more quietly charming town a about 1.5 hours away called Taorimina. We were most disappointed that our pre booked driver Mario (lol, where is Luigie I wonder?) ditched us, or something. In any case he never showed. But it was easy enough to get another driver, though we had to be firm and not let them rip us off by charging more then the pre arranged price. We shared with a couple with two young boys who were ex-pat Australians but live in Denmark. So we had lots to talk about and their kids were lovely.

Once in the town we split up. Raina and I went to a café, I had an espresso and she had an ice cream. Is that the typical mother and daughter order or what? Lol. We had it on many occasions  with the coffee always being delivered to Raina. 

Then we wandered the stunning streets, poked about the shops and rode the sky gondola down the cliff face to see the views. The water here was stunning. A massive expanse of perfectly flat blue of a shade I have never seen before. The water seems to call you and all you want to do was\s dive off the cliff into it. Despite the logic that tells you that you will die painfully. :P

On the way back the driver took us all to a brilliant look out to the most beautiful place I think I have ever seen. I started crying looking at it. The water was so blue and clear that from far above you could see the bottom of the bay, a magazine worthy resort on a peninsular and several cute umbrellas set up on the beach.

Then I heard Raina saying  “oh, don’t look behind you Sarah.” So naturally what does that make someone do?

I have previously mentioned my mortal fear of volcanoes. Well this is something I probably blow out of proportion for humors sake, something I was scared of as a kid but not so much anymore. And I had been informed previously then forgotten till the night before that this area has several volcanoes but it is not something that would stop me touring.

Well, let me tell you, when faced with a smoking volcano no more then a few kilometers away the true feelings are revealed. Well I did not scream. But I did burst into tears and was not really able to function or breath. My knees went a little wobbly, I fell into Raina's arms and I became a blubbering mess and the thought of vomiting occurred to me. At least I remained continent. In fact I am crying a little and my hands are slightly shaky just from typing this. I was not able to look at it after that first glimpse. I have never experienced anything like that. I have been scared of things before yes. But this I now realize this is an actual phobia. I am a volcaphobic. And there I was witnessing Etna's eruption of 2011.

Not fun.

I was able to laugh at myself a bit as a coping strategy but the fear didn’t stop till we were far away and all the drive I was imagining a pyroclastic flow chasing me and trying in vain to decide on a survival strategy. Driving a smart car into a big van, into a truck, inside a tunnel and hoping inside the smart car occurred to me, before my logical brain told me that even layers will not protect you from an eruption. Volcanies!!!!!  They are so dumb. I hate them. Especially when there is smoke coming from them and they are near me.  Raina was very kind and comforted me - while looking over my shoulder, at a thought she never thought she would see – since she has a volcaphobic travelling companion.

We got back to the ship and poked around some more.  We went to ‘Johnny Rocket’s’ on the ship, a 50s style dinner. When you walk in, the first server to see you yells, “Everybody say HelllllOh” Then all the staff yells, “HellllllOh”. They are all dressed in white outfits with the 50s milk bar hats. We had chocolate malts, which though you can fell the calories attaching themselves to your hips as you drink, were worth it. However I do doubt that they were all that unhealthy given the amount of effort sucking, you must burn calories from that alone.

Then I went Ice Skating, that’s right, ice skating, on a boat on the Mediterranean.

It was formal night so we got all dressed up, had our portraits taken (a dicky thing to do but it is all fun in the end). Dinner was spectacular as usual on a cruise ship.

After that I got another Latin dance in with Constantine the Romanian staff member. Then hit up the nightclub “the Dungeon” complete with gothic furnishing, art and trimmings. lol. Here I approached some random people and started up a conversation. There were people from America (Miami, Arizona) Canada, England (Cambridge, Staffishire, and more.), South Africa, Scotland (in fact Edinburgh, my new favorite city - that is until I went to Athens), Donald, and he even wore a kilt for formal night and sure got a lot of attention for it. I got scooped up by an Ecuadorian who danced with me to Livin’ da Vida Loca, and danced properly, spins and dips and stuff, that was fun. And lots more people from places I have forgotten. After drinking and dancing till they closed the club at 3am we set off for the spa on the main deck. 

Then a stack more Floridians, Columbians and other assorted South Americans and random mixes showed up. When we arrived the Spa was closed for cleaning but a late night staff member saw us all and opened the spa up for us, OUR HERO. We ended up with about 20 people in the spa and had a whole lot of fun. They even turned some music on for us. Thank you anonymous staff member.