Castelmola

Castelmola is a small village perched precariously atop a rock which overlooks Taormina, which itself is built on a rock almost directly above the coast. It is a very steep climb up so we caught the local bus. From Castelmola the views were amazing - across barren rocky hills, directly towards Mount Etna, out across the sea, down to Taormina and the beach resorts on the coast. We could see the Castello Saraceno, the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Rock and even into the Greek Theatre that we visited yesterday.

We visited the castle ruins, walked through the little streets with cameras running hot, went into all the churches and then had a lovely lunch under a jacarandah tree.

We had decided to walk home via the Saracens' Gate path. As it was 32 degrees the lady in the Info thought we were a bit strange... a piedi? (walking?) The path was stepped for much of the way but had a good layer of black volcanic material  over it. In fact everything has this black crumbly little rock on it. Better it than hot running lava I guess.

We walked through giant prickly pear until we came to a part where the path was less accessible. That didn't last long then we were back on the steps and continued successfully back into Taormina. 

Mount Etna is still putting on a show with booming noises and red hot sprays of rocks being thrown in the air. It not only has the crater at the top but a fissure down the left side as we look at it. It gives the impression that lava is flowing down the side. It is frustrating not being able to photograph it successfully.