There's Etna!

Sicily 2017

There's Etna!

There's Etna!

10 Jun 2017 1 96
Coming in to land at Catania Airport
Our hotel, formerly a Franciscan convent

Our hotel, formerly a Franciscan convent

11 Jun 2017 2 96
www.sanbiagioresort.com/1/en/home-page
Nicolosi, gateway to Parco dell'Etna

Nicolosi, gateway to Parco dell'Etna

11 Jun 2017 81
Where we bought a sandwich for our picnic on Etna
A chuch submerged in lava

A chuch submerged in lava

11 Jun 2017 107
(Blurry photo taken from the bus)
A ruined house and an occupied house

A ruined house and an occupied house

11 Jun 2017 98
Tuff sculpture

Tuff sculpture

11 Jun 2017 133
and a shrine
Etna Excursion Centre

Etna Excursion Centre

11 Jun 2017 96
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 100
Sicilian Milkvetch, Astragalus siculus . Looks soft and comfortable, but is actually very spiny. Joke!
Rumex

Rumex

11 Jun 2017 104
Valued by the Romans: to be munched (cf 'ruminate') for its semi-succulent leaves.
Yellow Asphodel

Yellow Asphodel

11 Jun 2017 119
Asphodeline lutea
Rifugio Santa Barbara

Rifugio Santa Barbara

11 Jun 2017 118
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 128
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 112
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 119
On the far hill are 3 new lava flows.
Sicilian Soapwort

Sicilian Soapwort

11 Jun 2017 98
Saponaria sicula growing on lava
Crateri Silvestri

Crateri Silvestri

11 Jun 2017 97
A recent crater with pioneer plant species and man-made decorations
Crateri Silvestri

Crateri Silvestri

11 Jun 2017 95
A recent crater with pioneer plant species and man-made decorations
Etna behind clouds

Etna behind clouds

11 Jun 2017 91
442 items in total