Etna Eruption

I am aptly posting this as my friend is getting a volcano tattoo later today :) I have visited the Silvestri Crater twice but the very top (which is a WHS) was not on the schedule. And here is yet another 'special stamp'! GPS (Global Postal Service) puts 'no Italy' on the stamp, which probably means it is international postage but still, looks funny. If you try googling it, there are tons of advice not to use it, and again because it's too darn slow to arrive. I really have no idea as I wasn't home to receive them...and again sadly no cancellation. But there is always an up-side, and in this case its the matching theme :) I have posted about Etna before so here is just a photo in addition.

UNESCO - Syracuse, Italy

The full name of this UNESCO site would be Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica which therefore consists of two separate elements, but I have only a postcard showing one of them.

Ancient Syracuse includes the nucleus of the city’s foundation as Ortygia by Greeks from Corinth in the 8th century BC. The site of the city, which Cicero described as ‘the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of all’. Many remains bear witness to the troubled history of Sicily, from the Byzantines to the Bourbons, interspersed with the Arabo-Muslims, the Normans, Frederick II of the Hohenstaufen dynasty (1197–1250), the Aragons and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Historic Syracuse offers a unique testimony to the development of Mediterranean civilization over three millennia.

Even though this postcard was swapped for, I have been lucky enough to visit Syracuse while we were in port in Catania (this was a turbulent cruise due to bad weather conditions, the route pretty much changed as we went - we had to skip Venice, Kotor and Ravenna (three UNESCO spots right there!) and got an overnight in Catania instead) as I had enough free time to catch a train and have a walk around town - though I could have easily spent many more hours roaming the streets of this lovely place. In the end I was still in a sort of a rush...here is the cathedral square, so spacious and neat :)

Il Duomo In Monreale/Sicily, Italy

Monreale (or Murriali) is a town and comune in Sicily. It is situated on the slope of Monte Caputo and overlooking a very fertile valley called 'La Conca d'Oro'- meaning 'the Golden Shell' - famous for its oranges, olive and almond trees. Hmmm it sounds like a lovely place!

Its cathedral or Il Duomo (dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary) is one of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture in the world..! It was built in the 12th century by William II and ranked as a metropolitan cathedral. The church is now an important national monument.

I must admit i was also attracted to the sight of the horse cart in front - i seem to like those a lot, i see another collection pending :) thank you Linda70 for this lovely card!

The Fruits Of Sicily - And Yes A Donkey!

And so the time fliiiiiiiiiies when one is busy...i cannot believe its been so long since my last post...! but the peak of the tourist season is definately over, at least in the nautical sector...and after a zillion changes in travelling plans, stapling my own finger, being sent to a different work station over the weekend - i can more-or-less peacefully continue (while hoping for a few days off to go home...)

Today i will only post two random cards from my collection, as it will be tomorrow that i'll be back at my pc desk.



This card was sent to my sis from a dear friend while she was on vacation. such a bright card, i love it! And of course the donkey is there too :) Its still very hot here in Dalmatia, and these images seem to suit the overall mediterranean atmosphere (we are eating grapes grown in the garden) :)))