Sciara del Fuocco stays quiet

Today was our last day on Stromboli and we wanted to see the Sciara del Fuocco, the trail of fire, before we left.

This meant another walk, although we expected it to be a lot more peaceful than that of the previous day.

We wake up early. Susana is not that happy about this. The hotel has a hot tub filled with volcanic water. They only open it between 7am and 8am, but I think it will be worth it.

This is a photo from later in the day as we peer precariously over the wall, we had forgotten the camera.

We are not the only ones to have the idea, a French family of three are also in the hot waters, the pool is big enough for us all though. Susana seems to enjoy the experience, although she is pretty uncommunicative before she has her first coffee of the day so we head back to the hotel for breakfast.

We start the walk as we had with the group, but this time we head right along the base of the volcano. In town the early hydrofoil has arrived with the next load of tourists, some will be making the climb up to the crater rim this afternoon. Stromboli is again covered in cloud. Will it clear again in the afternoon?

We are passing through lots of yellow shrubs, similar to gorse, but apparently endemic to the island. Not sure how a species can become so specialised it is seen as endemic. There is only a short hop between islands and yet the seeds have not been able to make the journey. Strange.

The species seems to be doing well here.

Beyond lies a tiny islet. This, we learnt, is the remnants of another volcano from yesteryear. All that remain is the volcanic plug. The lava that solidified in the throat of the volcano. All the rest has eroded away to leave just the hard magma. A vertical cliff descending into the blue waters which must make some excellent diving.

We continue to circumnavigate the base of Stromboli. We are alone on the trail. It seems that many of our fellow tourists have already left the island, taking the early hydrofoil. We wanted to make the most of our time here, so won’t be returning until the last hydrofoil leaves at 5.30.

The trail is very pretty, as the path winds in and out of the the small valleys cut into the volcano. The villages that lie below us are starting to tail off.

The vegetation is really lush, almost tropical.

There is something about a small island that is so unique.

Above us Stromboli is still covered in cloud, although it is still quite early, so there is hope for todays visitors.

Here we are on this beautiful island and now we are in a really remote part, not a soul around us. It is so peaceful. Just the birds for company.

The only evidence for human interference, the paths cutting through the undergrowth.

We feel we are nearing something special. And then around a corner;

Sciara del Fuocco

A sheer slope, maybe 45 degrees of lava and pumice.

We can see the crater high above the slope. That is the point we visited yesterday.

Smoke is still pouring from the crater, but apart from that she looks quite quiet.

The only sound, the odd rustles as stones fall down the slope in small landslides.

When she is active, red hot molten lava can cascade down this slope into the sea. We will have to return one day to experience this.

The terrain is so bleak, so harsh

But also incredibly beautiful.

This is the highest point we are allowed to climb without a guide.

The clouds have cleared as they did yesterday.

Todays summiteers will get a fine view.

A few goats are grazing amongst the bushes, oblivious to the nearby active volcano

A few others come to join us. We leave them in peace and solitude and head back down the mountain.

The village once again comes back into view, back to civilisation. Well island civilisation at least.

The white cubes against the deep blue of the Mediterranean. A modernist architects dream.

This area is mainly residential, with a lot of pensions and hotels. Most of these are still asleep. Closed for the season, although some whitewashing of walls we make everything look spick and span.

The bamboo shades cast lovely shadows in the harsh sunlight.

Everywhere blue white and green.

Although cuboid, most of the corners are slightly rounded, giving a softer look, also probably easy construction, curves are slightly more forgiving to the eye. A sharp edge is much more difficult to achieve.

We eventually get back into our part of town and sit down for an ice cream. They serve them in brioche here.

It is soon time to leave this idyllic place. We have only spent two days here, it seems much longer. We vow to return.

Eventually the hydrofoil turns up. The sea is as calm as a mill pond. I have never seen such a flat body of water.

We hop from island to island, retracing out steps back to Milazzo and Dora.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GDR