Leaving Spain

Back in late May,  I kissed my niece Naomi goodbye in Formentera, as she got on a ferry to Ibiza,  all alone - my brave niece.   She was going back to Rome to meet her Dad and brother Mark for a few days more,  of Italian culture, a hot bath and big beds.    Naomi was our crew for almost 3 weeks - she has left her mark here.   A fantastic cook,   she taught us,  oh so subtly,  how to tweak things to make food taste better.   Branko now makes the best pancakes (shhhh don't tell him i said anything) and I fry up my onions and garlic differently; more flavor (and if you need to know more about these secrets, you must invite Naomi to visit.)  Thank you Naomi,  you  are a wonderful person and can come back anytime.

Mahon, before waking up

Menorca, Gin factory and Branko

Ciuadella, Menorca

Menorcan sandals

Mahon 

Once we left Formentara,  motor sailed to the next island,  Mallorca,  where we anchored in a lovely bay, swam and relaxed for a  few hours.   We pulled anchor up for a night sail to Mahon in the final island of Menorca.   We arrived at first light and decided to take a tour of Mahon before anyone (in Mahon) woke up - it was beautiful,  quiet, calm and only us motoring into a most historic bay.   We got our bearings in a peaceful and awe inspiring way,  deciding to anchor in the far bay about a mile or more away from the town proper.    Beautiful bay,  surrounded by ancient forts and hills - well protected,  beaches and clean water to swim.   We spent a number of days here,  alternately swimming, walking through the forts,  beach BB Q's,  visiting the city of Mahon and Ciudadela - ancient towns full of history.   

Branko, cannot resist a cave

The Taula

 But wait,  not only ancient but Menorca has the greatest concentration of prehistoric remains in the entire Mediterranean,  including what is claimed to be the oldest building in Europe.  There are a number of Neolithic caves and villages and many megalithic monuments such as talayots (towers), navetas (burial mounds) and taulas (T-shaped monuments) built by the bronze age tribe...that is all i know.  but have some pics to view.

Sao, Branko and Connie (Life Part 2)

Forgot to mention,  but Mahon (Menorca) is well known for its leather sandals (see pic), cheese (no pic) and its gin...yes delicious gin and a gin factory.   I think a throw back from when the English ruled the place :-)

Finally we pulled up anchor and set sail,  destination Sardinia - a potentially 4 day journey.    Branko talks about our journey in his posts,  so I will not repeat,  but say that we did take 4 days to reach Sicily,  where we rested (anchored) for a few hours in Mazara del Vallo.   We pulled up anchor as the sun was setting and sailed down the coast for the town of Empedocle and anchored first thing in the morning,  in lovely bay with 2 French boats.    We spent a few days here,  swinging on anchor,  taking the dinghy to shore,  shopping, listening to music in the square and travelling to the 'Temple of Neptune' at Agrigento; founded in 582BC by the Greeks, sacked by the Carthaginians and later by the Romans - it is now a UNESCO site so hopefully no more sacking.

Empedocle

Greek temples

Temple of Neptune

Lying down statue - Neptune

Our first Sicilian pizza!

Tapas Sicilian style

Sicily is an island of UNESCO sites,  almost all the towns and cities are UNESCO protected.  Worth a trip because, it's not only piles of rocks/stones but most have been resurrected for our viewing pleasure,  I can imagine the place better with rocks  in place as opposed to them lying around on the ground...just saying, basically, that i have  no great imagination so appreciate the help.

Ragusa

Old town, Ragusa

Ragusa

Ragusa, steps to church

It's July and we are now,  and have been for over 2 weeks in Marina di Ragusa.  No, not Ragusa proper but a small tourist town on the south coast about 20 miles from Ragusa city.   Not to repeat but our transmission is under repair and we are forced to relax in a town full of white sand beaches, cafes, lovely people, sun, and hot weather...sometimes i really do feel guilty and selfish.

While waiting we have traveled via bus to Ragusa,  Modica,  Siracussa and all small towns in between.  All towns UNESCO sites - so you can just imagine how beautiful they are.      Modica is known for its chocolate;still  made from the Aztecs original recipe.  You get chocolate that is made straight from the cacao beans, with no added cocoa butter or soy lecithin. The technique was brought over by the Spaniards in the 16th century.  Modica, along with all of southern Italy, was under Spanish rule at the time. 


Ragusa, well,  you just have to see this place and walk down to the old town.  Some pictures to pic your interest :-)

Sicilian Limincello

Modica in July

One of 100 church's

Siracusa (Syracuse) was once the most powerful city-state of Magna Graecia, rivalling Athens in power.   Founded in 734 BC it became the largest fortified city of the Greek world.   Archimedes 'slept here' - actually all jokes aside, here is some information on him http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes - worth a read.

Siracusa

Greek ruins,  Siracusa

Siracusa, main square

Branko, helping to park a car

Siracusa

Modica, chocolate factory

We hope to be leaving Ragusa Marina in the next few days and head around to Siracusa,  weather permitting.   From there continue up the coast to the boot of Italy,  across the Messina straits and head to the toe,  around the corner and up to Brindisi and perhaps Bari;  before heading across the Adriatic for the town of Cavtat in the south of Croatia.    So keep your fingers crossed and wish us good engine repair, weather and safe passage :-)


 Thank you for coming along with us,  we so enjoy your company.
Mag