Today was a beautiful day at sea! Taking advantage of a stunning day, Captain John Svendsen made us a beautiful presentation of a step-by-step setting-up of the sails while we got to see it unfold right in front of us…all happening in real time. All morning, we sailed quietly under the power of the wind while accompanied by playful dolphins. At noon, we had a delicious lunch served outside on the lido deck. We enjoyed the Mediterranean weather with the Pellegrino wine acquired during yesterday’s visit. In the afternoon, we had some presentations on the history of the area and the incredible history of the ship itself, which included visits to the original staterooms.
Nicknamed “Indio” (Indian) because of his powers of observation and quiet nature, José has almost two decades of experience working as a naturalist and photography guide; as well as being recognized as an expert birder and nature photographer in Cost...
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Our last day aboard the Sea Cloud saw us crossing the Tyrrhenian Sea on approach to Naples in the glorious May sunshine. The fair weather continues to eclipse any memory of rough seas experienced. What is this purple dragon of which you speak?! However, before we arrive at Naples, we still have a full day of cruising along the Sorrentine Peninsula. This promontory, long renowned for its artisanal workshops, delimits the southern extent of the Gulf of Naples. Our cruise takes us along the coastline from Amalfi to Positano to the Isle of Capri. Mount Vesuvius looms in the distance. We spend the morning with Captain John Svendson, who talks us through his life experiences at sea, through foul and fair weather. He takes us on an extended tour of our majestic ship and highlights the many different components that make up her original 1932 assembly. We also learn about the different rationales between 20th and 21st century maritime engineering. Later in the day, expedition historian Dr. David Brotherson talks about Pompeii and the unique insights it offers into the daily life of ancient Romans. On the lido deck, we enjoy a final buffet lunch with pasta and the parmesan wheel. In the evening, we gather for the Captain’s Farewell Drinks and reminisce about our remarkable voyage as we view our voyage slideshow.
As the Sea Cloud sailed to the Aeolian Islands with all her sails unfurled this morning, we had a wonderful opportunity to go out on our Zodiacs to take photos of the ship. Everyone jumped at the opportunity…even the crew. What a beautiful ship it is! Later in the afternoon, we arrived to Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands. After landing and picking up our local guides, we took a very scenic drive all around the island, stopping at key points to enjoy the views. This was followed by a visit to the Museo Archeologico Eoliano, which has a great exhibit relating to the history of the islands, from prehistoric to classic times. We ended our visit to Lipari with some free time to leisurely walk around the beautiful town full of cafes, restaurants, and stores. After dinner, we finished a perfect day by sailing past the famous island and active volcano of Stromboli to watch red lava being spewed in real time…simply spectacular!
We arrived at Messina Harbor on a rainy day but with very clear waters. For the first time, we were able to see the propeller of the Sea Cloud . Therefore, before boarding the coaches, we walked along the dock to enjoy the view of the beautiful sailing yacht that has been our home away from home. This time, we got to see underwater. It took us about an hour to get to Taormina. We enjoyed the amazing eastern coast of Sicily with two-meter-high waves breaking on its narrow beaches along the green hills. Taormina inspired many writers and painters in the eighteen hundreds, becoming a popular place for the European aristocracy of those days. Maupassant called it “the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea,” and indeed it is. A pearl encrusted at 700 feet high with buildings that show off the different cultures that inhabited this town over its more than two thousand years of history. We also enjoyed the richness of its culture in the delicious sweets, beverages, liquors, and perfumes that we found along the streets. The Arabs introduced oranges and lemons to Sicily, and you can drink “granitas” and juices of the most delicious fruits. Sugar also came with the Arabs, as well as pistachios and almonds. There is a perfume made in Taormina from the orange flower. We fed all our senses during this visit, and after a mile walk along Corso Humberto I Street, we arrived at the Greek theater built in 300 BC, where a choral group from Japan was singing. Cultures from different worlds met at this centuries-old theater in front of the sea at the flanks of a mountain. Life has been generous to us. For lunch, we visited the villa of an Italian baron, Castello degli Schiavi. The villa was used in many scenes for the Godfather films. The baron was the perfect host of his four-hundred-year-old property, where we enjoyed a typical Sicilian meal accompanied by traditional music. We crossed the Messina Strait with a toast made by Captain John Svendsen. He asked King Neptune for good weather in the days to come while we explore the Aeolian Islands, the islands of the winds. At night, we joined the crew with salty shanty songs and dancing.