Since we were ahead of schedule, Giovanni decided to take a detour up another crazy, winding road to the mountaintop village of Castelmola which overlooks Taormina and the ocean. Ooh. Aah.
Check out our effervescent smiles. Not. I told you we were tired. Check out Trish's "if-you-don't-take-the-picture-right-now-I'm-going-to-punch-you-in-the-crotch" sneer. If it weren't for the magnificent views, we'd be laid out asleep on that stone bench instead of getting ready to throw the photographer over the ledge. You should also take a good look at Trish's fancy camera 'cause that's the last time you'll ever see it. Peeked your interest? Read on.
Juan wins the award for "Best Attempt at a Smile." The Castel, now a restaurant, hovers in the background.
Attempt #2, not quite as successful. But look at that view!
Like Positano, Castelmola sits right on the edge of the mountain.
This sorry excuse for a road is the way up to Castelmola. Believe it or not, we actually spotted people walking up the mountain on this road in full tourist attire (shorts, baseball cap, sneaks and camera hanging around their neck). Hello!? I have just two words for you - heat stroke.
After our pit stop, Giovanni drove us down to the gates of Taormina. The majority of the city is off limits to cars, so Giovanni dropped us off and told us he'd be back in a few hours to pick us up at the gate on the opposite side of town. For the rest of the day, we were on our own to explore the city.
Trish gives her best Heidi Klum in front of the Minotaur Fountain. I think the lady to the right has just spotted a zombie!
I'm getting fresh with one of the fountain horses.
On recommendation from Giovanni, we wandered off the beaten path to La Dracena restaurant for a well-deserved lunch (that itty-bitty yellow and green sign is the entrance). We ate in a secluded little balcony under the shade of a Dracena tree (hence the restaurant's name) in a nearly empty restaurant. Dad had a local beer which he loved. The food - especially the antipasti - was excellent, the setting was quiet and the service was super laid-back.
Shortly after we sat down, the restaurant shut its gates for the afternoon. Like South America, some, though not all of the stores here close for a brief siesta mid-afternoon. Since we were all so tired, we decided to join the locals and do nothing but eat and drink for the next hour or so.
Taormina is famous for its cannolis, so of course, we needed to judge for ourselves. Though the flavor is similar to our American version, it's definitely creamier and lighter than the lead-weight bombs you find down in Little Italy. According to our waitress, the difference is in the fresh ricotta cheese and pistachios. Whatever. All I know is it's delish.
Mom and I celebrate her making it back up all the stairs from the restaurant. On a side note, I definitely need to keep that t-shirt. It makes me look thin and like I actually have a chest.
Juan is really happy to be sitting in the shade of San Nicola Chuch, across from the Minotaur Fountain. Val's just happy that she gets internet access.
Another pretty street in Taormina.
Can you find mom and dad?
There they are, smack dab in the center of the photo on the bench in front of the beautiful Church of San Pancrazio.
These are just some of the buildings and homes you can spy on from the overlook just in front of San Pancrazio Church. It's just not right that anyone is allowed to live like this. Not fair!
Above, notice the sickeningly quaint and freakishly clean main drag in Taormina. With all those tourists it looks like the Italian Pavilion in Epcot Center. Come on, where's the local grit? The huddled masses yearning to breathe free!? The wretched refuse?!! Oh, wait, there. The wretched refuse is running away with Trish's $500 camera and 900+ vacation photos!
Yes, folks, the Pinedas got camera-jacked. As Trish headed down one of these lovely Disney streets searching for bargains, a guy pretending to jump out of the way of a car knocked into her hard, apologized and walked off. With her camera! It wasn't until we got back to the ship that she even noticed it was gone, thinking she had shoved it into her shoulder bag.
The moral of the story? When on vacation, download your photos to your laptop often - or at least daily.
On a happier note, after several days of frustrated searching, we finally found a store selling Fruit Joy. So we loaded up on the sugary, chewy treats so we'd have a supply for the rest of our trip.
Another fake-looking street.
Barf. It just gets quainter and more charming. And yes, I'm just bitter because my street in Queens is no where near as nice.
Who's that handsome devil outlined by that pastel sunset? Oh, it's just little ol' me!
Tonight's towel animal appears to be a rabbit. But take a closer look at its nose. Does that look like what I think it looks like?
This Afternoon's Itinerary:
Drive up to Castelmola
Drop off at Taormina
Mom and dad light some candles in Church of San Nicola
Lunch at La Dracena
Shopping and exploring downtown
I purchase my second vacation hat, a stylish straw-weave newsboy cap
Trish gets her camera stolen
Drive back to Messina via local coast road to check out the beaches
Previous Day at Pompeii and Amalfi Coast
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