We arrived to Taormina Bay on the east coast of Sicily. The village of Taormina is perched on the rocky bluff high above the bay. It was a bit complicated as there was no good access to shore from the dingy in the area we were anchored and certainly no secure place to leave the dingy.

Castelmola and Taormina seen from the boat

Taormina Bay seen from Taormina village

Consequently a long ride to the other side of the bay where we tied to a resort dock and took a local bus to the village. Beautiful setting and very chic shops, restaurants, hotels and B&Bs housed in lovely architectural buildings from years past. We then continued with the bus further up the bluff to the ancient village of Castlemola. This was a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of Taormina. A very quiet and low key village with several full time residents. From our anchorage we could watch the volcano Etna spew smoke.

Castelmola

Mount Etna 3000 m over the sea level

Our transit of the Messina Straits was calm and being a Sunday morning, we were lucky that two very specially designed fishing boats were out for Swordfish and Tuna. The current is strong through the strait which the fish regularly migrate. The fishing boat is approximately 50 feet or 15 meters long with a steel lattice mast that has a chair at the top from which one or two people sit high above the boat driving and looking for the fish.

Very special fishing boat

There is a steel lattice bow sprit that is typically longer than the boat where a person stands to spear the fish. Apparently the swordfish “snooze” on the surface during the day, or move very slowly so the fishing boats can sneak up on them and harpoon the fish.

Captain and his crew sit high up driving the boat

We arrived Milazzo on the north coast of Sicily where we awaited the arrival of Karolina and then started our adventure in the Aeolian Islands.