Sicily

This year Ana and I went to Sicily. An island at the bottom of the Italian boot with Greek, Roman, Arabic, Norman and many other roots and today probably mostly associated with the Mafia. We took easyjet flights to Palermo and for two days visited the city with a combination of Norman and Arabic architecture.

One highlight were the catacombes, where the locals thought it was a good idea to dry out and then to be put on public display. Here some cheerful characters from the 18th century, still good looking considering their age.

Here a view over Palmero.

Then the first beach: unfortunately no climable rock. The white rock in the background is soft chalk and not really a deep water solo. Also it was very hot, mid 30s or higher.

We then survived the Palermo traffic in our rented Fiat 500 (retro) to reach Agriento on the Southern side of the island. The main attraction is the valley of the temples which were built by Greek settlers at a time when Greek finances allowed such buildings.

Here the best conserved temple.

Back North to a Cefalu, a beach resort with a lovely town but an overcrowded beach.

A large limestone outcrop is on the peninsula and I managed to do some deep water bouldering on some boulders. Further on to another beach...

... to reach a very hot Taormina where we stayed in a village olverlooking the coast. A tourist y wee town and a crowded beach but some decent but easy deep water soloing on a rock that is used by the local posers for jumps into the water. Climbing on it was surely mega posing but as I started to put on wait and lose strength I used the opportunity. A limestone volcanic conglomarate which looked very fragile but was much better than anticipated.

Here the Greek theatre, with mount Etna, the largest active volcano smoking in the background.

It was unbearably hot and so we decided to go up mount Etna the next day. Many tourists are dragged up first by bus, then by lift and then by all terrain buses. The other option is to walk from the lift and we managed to continue to get to maybe 3200 m, where I managed to inhale a strong puff of sulfur. Here is Ana and me close to the summit, which is off limits due to the fumes.

Then to Syracusa, the town of Archimedes, where we stayed for 4 days. Hot but very enjoyable.

On day 3 we drove into the mountains and descended into a limestone gorge to swim in pools of water and I managed to do some decent shallow water bouldering, whatever that is. Here is the fresh, crystal clear water.

Finally Catania, quite nice but too hot for just walking around town.

HW