There's Etna!

Sicily 2017

There's Etna!

There's Etna!

10 Jun 2017 1 157
Coming in to land at Catania Airport
Our hotel, formerly a Franciscan convent

Our hotel, formerly a Franciscan convent

11 Jun 2017 2 173
www.sanbiagioresort.com/1/en/home-page
Nicolosi, gateway to Parco dell'Etna

Nicolosi, gateway to Parco dell'Etna

11 Jun 2017 155
Where we bought a sandwich for our picnic on Etna
A chuch submerged in lava

A chuch submerged in lava

11 Jun 2017 169
(Blurry photo taken from the bus)
A ruined house and an occupied house

A ruined house and an occupied house

11 Jun 2017 166
Tuff sculpture

Tuff sculpture

11 Jun 2017 205
and a shrine
Etna Excursion Centre

Etna Excursion Centre

11 Jun 2017 164
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 159
Sicilian Milkvetch, Astragalus siculus . Looks soft and comfortable, but is actually very spiny. Joke!
Rumex

Rumex

11 Jun 2017 155
Valued by the Romans: to be munched (cf 'ruminate') for its semi-succulent leaves.
Yellow Asphodel

Yellow Asphodel

11 Jun 2017 170
Asphodeline lutea
Rifugio Santa Barbara

Rifugio Santa Barbara

11 Jun 2017 184
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 200
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 176
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 192
On the far hill are 3 new lava flows.
Sicilian Soapwort

Sicilian Soapwort

11 Jun 2017 168
Saponaria sicula growing on lava
Crateri Silvestri

Crateri Silvestri

11 Jun 2017 154
A recent crater with pioneer plant species and man-made decorations
Crateri Silvestri

Crateri Silvestri

11 Jun 2017 149
A recent crater with pioneer plant species and man-made decorations
Etna behind clouds

Etna behind clouds

11 Jun 2017 151
442 items in total