Time out in Taomina (Sicily)

Two days seems like a lifetime, leaving Malta on Friday afternoon…

The Golden Girls (well two of them) as Claire’s (the young one) friends called us were dropped at the Airport for the 25minute flight from Malta to Catania,Sicily! Of course two hours before flight, being an international one, the journey began! Anna decided to leave her handbag with security while they distracted her checking her bag! First crisis averted, as they saved it for her when she realised! Very full plane, left on time and touched down around 5pm.

Next step (actually a few hundred) as we ran around in circles looking for the bus to our final destination,Taomina, a town perched high on the cliff tops on the coast (about an hours ride) We just missed the bus and had to wait for the next one that left 45minutes later. Claire being able to speak some Italian was rather an asset!

We travelled through the city of Catania, dropping and picking up and driving around in circles, glad we were not staying there, a city of old crumbly buildings, rubbish lining the streets and tagging on every flat surface! Then we hit traffic jams as we neared our destination, one way streets, with buses and cars and crazy motorbike riders all vying for the one lane!

The final stop, near the town of Taomina, after a steep winding drive, still meant an (uphill) walk to the centre of town to our apartment!

By now it was dusk, and the rolly bags clattered over the cobblestones as we ascended the final leg,

Looking down on the beachside towns….

All rather hungry, we met the apartment owner and had the grand tour of our three bedroom apartment. The location and the views from the wraparound terrace were fantastic. The decor (very tired) and lack of cooling facilities, and broken toilet seat not so great!

But it was dumping bags, opening windows and out for dinner, now being well after 9pm…the nearby street thronging with thousands of tourists, all the shops open until 11pm, and Andrea Bocelli playing in the open theatre drawing even bigger crowds than usual! Dinner, and a beer, eating at 10.30 pm, walking the streets, in search of water for the night (what was left of it and almost in bed by midnite! Day one over and three very tired gals!

Of course, I was awake early gasping for a coffee, none in the apartment, so I sneaked out and went in search! From one end of town to the other, avoiding the delivery vans, getting in early to all the restaurants before the people (apart from me) and finally found an open cafe to purchase two cappuccinos. (Takeout) by the time I returned the other girls were up and Anna and I enjoyed our morning coffee….before setting off on foot.

Over 10000 steps of up and down with the odd gentle gradient thrown in!

Breakfast, drinks, snacks and dinner along the way…with a few tastings (free) in the sweet shops!

While avoiding cars buses, motorbikes in the mostly single lane streets, with no footpaths – Fiat Bambina (the old one) being a symbol of Taomina.

The houses, churches, balcony gardens and colours of Italy..,,

In and out of shops, walking through Cliff side gardens gazing longingly at the beach below – accessible by cable car. Our wandering took us somewhat downhill so the final late afternoon leg was up!

No picture of the ride(cable car) – Down or up as it was an eye closing experience, yours truly having a vertigo issue!

A cool refreshment on a terrace cafe by the beach after which Claire and I attempted a swim in the late afternoon..knee deep and the cold water (compared to Malta sea bath like temperatures) meant we avoided wet bathing suits for the day!

Back up, eyes closed, and back for showers and to rest our legs before another dinner excursion! So many restaurants, all full, it was a matter of checking the menus, price and looking for an available table!

Dinner and drinks, and the two (old) golden girls home to crash at 11.30pm – the young one went for a stroll to listen to to concert!

Another day of adventures begins….