Lipari Island, Lipari and Stromboli

The ship arrived in the bay outside Lipari about 8 o'clock in the morning.  The tenders ferried the passengers between the ship and the little fishing dock, and we sat on the deck in the sunshine eating breakfast.  No tour today, and we could take our time.

We eventually made it across, and that took our time wandering the narrow streets.  We decided we liked Lipari, with its overhanging balconies, twisting roads and narrow little pathways full of pot plants and flowers.

We found our way to what was marked as an archeological site.  It was a little disappointing, overgrown and closed. We then took the path upwards to the Acropolis.  It turns out that like Athens, Lipari started out as a small settlement on the top of the rock, which later becoming a walled town. Over time the town spread outside the walls, the inside of which became "the castle".  The castle became a prison, and the prisoners worked for the townspeople during the day, returning to the castle to be locked up during the night.

Now the acropolis is a series of buildings used as museums. Some of the old prison cells were used to exhibit a series of modern art pieces, and the cathedral there was quite lovely.

Norman Cloisters attached to the cathedral.  Really lovely

It seemed a shame that so much of the area within the walls seemed unused and unkempt though.

A disused ampitheatre on the "castle", or acropolis at Lipari

More buildings on the acropolis that seem to not have a purpose.  A shame really, because it was lovely up there, and the views were amazing. 

We loved Lipari, so much so that we didn't want to leave. We sat and ate lunch in one of the street cafes, perused the gift shops that remained open during the siesta, ate icecream on the quay, and last but not least, visited the churches there. It was all just lovely.

This "Seaman's Nativity" was found inside the church right on the little quay.  Quite amazing. 

The ship left Lipari around 5.30pm, and headed for the next island, Stromboli.  Stromboli is a quietly active volcano, and the plan was for the ship to circle it whilst it was dark, so that we could see the glow of activity in the crater mouth. This isn't always a successful venture, as it depends on what mood the volcano is in.   At around 9pm the ship started to sail around the island, and the passengers made their way to the decks.

And we were lucky. Stromboli was in the mood to show off, and we watched a display of red fireworks leave the crater mouth every few minutes. Even the red glow of the crater mouth between times was quite something to see in the dark.

So that was our 4th November. Tomorrow we are going to Catania, and we will be on a tour to another volcano, Mount Etna.  I'm really looking forward to it.