Happy 5th Anniversary!

Taorimina Bay

As you all know last year at this time Branko and I had a make-over in Tunisia.  OK so Branko got a haircut and I got a new look, that thankfully has toned down, a bit.

Five years ago, July 1st we left Toronto.   Yes yes, I know, its past the 1st but we thought you might still be interested.  It was a busy time this year.  Branko wrangling boats out in the mooring frontier, Tara coming to visit, celebrating her birthday (June 30th), Canada Day (July 1st) and then Branko almost chopping his foot off.  What? is he OK you ask...are you asking?  Anyways, he is fine now, more on that story later including pictures.

Five years.  I cannot believe its been only 5 years but then again sometimes feels like 20; in a good way.  I have been meeting people who are on their second 'around the world' navigation or just finishing up their first. Some completed the journey in 5 years, or 'gulp' less.  That is how long we have been out and we are still in Europe. Sometimes I think we should be getting gone. But yet here I remain and continue to be amazed at the countries, cultures, people, buildings, history that we are exposed to.  Turn a corner and surprise!  Something new and interesting.

What's behind this door?

I realize that we will never see everything here and that soon comes a time, that we must travel on and cross back to the Caribbean.  To visit South America, travel the Pacific, Australia and India.  But not today but soon.  Our blog is titled 'Cruising Around the World' not just around Europe. Thank you, Universe? for the five years I have, selfishly, experienced so far.

Looking over to Etna

Storm drain *

Taorimina Bay from the road *

We have been spending our time in Taorimina Bay.  It is most beautiful here.   Cliffs on one side with old, majestic buildings perched on the hillsides, Taorimina town above us, Mount Etna to our right (or is that the left?) and then the bay of Naxos with its pretty coloured homes.  The water below us is clear, blue and refreshing, perfect for swimming and cooling off.  It has been very hot, baby! Branko is helping out a friend this summer in a mooring field.  It is a unique experience and he embraces it wholeheartedly.

Oh yes how did he chop (almost chop) his foot off?
But first Tara arrived for a week.   Five years she has been either thinking or trying to visit us, and finally here she is, yahoo!  I met her in Catania, and spent the night in a very posh hotel with a pool and a shower and towels, and breakfast. Certainly, its the little things that excite.  Rented a car and traveled across Sicily to visit a special town that was important to her (Tara is a fast driver) and then quickly headed back and spent the night in Marina di Ragusa.  I wanted Tara to see where we had spent so much time in the last year.  Next morning to Siracusa, stayed around the corner from the Duomo, ate the maestros sandwiches, fresh figs, blue cheese and drank wine.   Back to the boat on the 3rd day to relax and swim.  Tara is writing a blog so I am just summarizing the important parts, about the food obviously.

Catania fish market

Yup its good Tara

Happy Birthday Tara!

Good morning Tara

Did you see those kayakers?

Yum Sicily!

Hellooooo

Snuggles with Rosie

Here is where Branko's foot comes into the story.
We arrive at the boat on June 30th, Tara's birthday, all ready to celebrate.  But Branko is extremely busy and needs to pick up trash and people, but not together (never combine the trash and people).  Unknown to Branko there is a broken champagne bottle in one of the bags, he is in a hurry, swings the bag, looks down, notices his leg has a huge gash, crap!  He calls our friend Donna.
Super Donna, who speaks both Italian and English.  She jumps in the dinghy, gets to shore, picks up Branko, get on the scooter (this is Italy and everyone drives a scooter) Branko wants to drive, with his foot dangling he jumps on and putt putts up the hill to the hospital.

Because of the location of the gash, Frankenstein stitches were required. That is what he was told, could have been an Italian emerge doctor having some fun.  But seriously, in laymen terms, the gash was in a part of the leg that moves around, alot and regular stitches would break.

Yup, true that's his foot

Does this hurt? Prod

Administrating tetanus shot

Tara stayed for a week.  We kayaked, took down a paddle boarder, drank, ate, celebrated, talked, walked, swam (Tara got stung by a jellyfish), and scooter ride to the top of the town.  More details in Tara's blog.
I loved having Tara visit, she is a special friend of mine.

Rosie and Tara

Kathy Kuchma arrived next for 2 plus weeks, fun yes!
* pictures, courtesy of Kim on Britican
Maggie