There's Etna!

Sicily 2017

There's Etna!

There's Etna!

10 Jun 2017 1 88
Coming in to land at Catania Airport
Our hotel, formerly a Franciscan convent

Our hotel, formerly a Franciscan convent

11 Jun 2017 2 85
www.sanbiagioresort.com/1/en/home-page
Nicolosi, gateway to Parco dell'Etna

Nicolosi, gateway to Parco dell'Etna

11 Jun 2017 70
Where we bought a sandwich for our picnic on Etna
A chuch submerged in lava

A chuch submerged in lava

11 Jun 2017 99
(Blurry photo taken from the bus)
A ruined house and an occupied house

A ruined house and an occupied house

11 Jun 2017 89
Tuff sculpture

Tuff sculpture

11 Jun 2017 122
and a shrine
Etna Excursion Centre

Etna Excursion Centre

11 Jun 2017 89
Where you can get on the cable-car, hire bikes or drink.
Mother-in-law's Pillow

Mother-in-law's Pillow

11 Jun 2017 94
Sicilian Milkvetch, Astragalus siculus . Looks soft and comfortable, but is actually very spiny. Joke!
Rumex

Rumex

11 Jun 2017 95
Valued by the Romans: to be munched (cf 'ruminate') for its semi-succulent leaves.
Yellow Asphodel

Yellow Asphodel

11 Jun 2017 112
Asphodeline lutea
Rifugio Santa Barbara

Rifugio Santa Barbara

11 Jun 2017 109
A mountain refuge. There are 2 rooms inside - one full of firewood and the other with benches and a fireplace. The 'well' on the right is actually a tank that gets filled regularly.
Ice store

Ice store

11 Jun 2017 117
This is a natural 'lava tube' that has been extended over the years. Lava, being light, is a natural insulator. In the winter it would be packed with snow, and then in the spring and summer the ice would be carved out and taken into town for sale. Granita!
Ice store

Ice store

11 Jun 2017 100
This is a natural 'lava tube' that has been extended over the years. Lava, being light, is a natural insulator. In the winter it would be packed with snow, and then in the spring and summer the ice would be carved out and taken into town for sale. Granita!
Recent lava colonised by Rumex plants

Recent lava colonised by Rumex plants

11 Jun 2017 109
On the far hill are 3 new lava flows.
Sicilian Soapwort

Sicilian Soapwort

11 Jun 2017 85
Saponaria sicula growing on lava
Crateri Silvestri

Crateri Silvestri

11 Jun 2017 85
A recent crater with pioneer plant species and man-made decorations
Crateri Silvestri

Crateri Silvestri

11 Jun 2017 83
A recent crater with pioneer plant species and man-made decorations
Etna behind clouds

Etna behind clouds

11 Jun 2017 85
442 items in total