Messina on Foot

Our last port before returning to Rome was Messina, Sicily.  We were there only a few hours and most of the day trips available just went to Mt. Etna, so we passed on another bus ride and spent our time wandering around the seaport.  As in Athens, we were there at midday when the light was almost blinding and our cameras couldn't capture much detail.  With all the pastel buildings, wrought iron balconies, palm trees and fountains, it felt almost like a Caribbean island.

After leaving Sicily we passed the volcanic island of Stromboli.  That white "cloud" is an emission from the live volcano and the white dots at the lower right side of the picture are the homes of the people who live there - yikes!!