Robert Johnson's posts

Mark and I chatter on about this and that over our final meal in Taormina as I gradually fall asleep. Somehow we failed to mention how wonderful the food is at this establishment, rounding off The gastronomic aspects of our Sicilian adventure quite nicely.

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Standing on the hotel's top floor terrace I'm watching the sun descend behind Mount Etna and thinking about the wonderful trip we have almost completed.

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Sunbathing has never been one of my favourite activities, especially as I could probably hold the world record for burning. Having enjoyed a rather busy time on Sicily however, we felt a proper rest was in order before we flew back to the UK. Cue the Paradise Beach club with its swimming pool, sung loungers, and ready access to the sea.

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Enjoying a fine view in perfect solitude.

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For my final independent outing of the trip I got up early and took a taxi further up the mountain to the little town of Castelmola, which sits at around 700 m above sea level, overlooking Taormina and the coast towards Catania. Arriving before 7 AM I had the whole place to myself as far as tourism went!

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A ride on one of the four wheel drive coaches which ferry visitors from the top of Mount Etna's cablecar to just below 3000 metres. The vehicles are quite remarkable, tackling incredibly steep and rugged to rain with a compliment of 20 passengers or so on board.

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Standing at almost 3000 metres above sea level Davide of Continent Sicilia tells Mark and I about some of the volcanic features around us. Unfortunately the wind noise is very high on this recording however it is worth bearing with, if you can, for Davide's insights.

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In a cablecar with Davide of Continent Sicilia, ascending the third most active volcano in the World.

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I return from my first morning walk in Taormina by limping down the steps next to our hotel, having had an altercation with a metal bench and lost. I didn't know it at the time that the injury would subsequently become infected and would still be causing me pain a week on.

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Enjoying the sound of the waves on a beach below Taormina.

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