I have been playing “post catch up” today. This is our only full day at sea. No ports of call. Tonight around 10:00p (4:00p EDT US) we will pass through the Strait of Messina – the narrow gap between the tip of the boot of Italy and island of Sicily. The distance between the two shores is less than 2 miles. Again our ship will be attached to a guide boat to help us navigate the channel between Sicily and Italy.

I have been blogging today from the Explorer’s Lounge at the front go the ship and on our veranda while watching the open sea. Right now the coastline at the bottom of the boot of Italy (location noted on map above) is visible. The ship’s captain, Martin Birkeland, announced this morning that Mount Stromboli would be visible (possibly showing signs of activity) after we pass through the Strait of Messina. Given the distance (15-20 miles), I think a visual sighting would only be possible with an eruption. A small flash of fire and brimstone would be exciting, but no more than that. Please! Our stateroom faces the Italian side of the strait and Mount Stromboli is on the Sicilian side. So we’ll have to watch from the deck. 

Update 9:24pm – 3:24 EDT-US

OK, I admit I was a skeptic. The captain set course for Mount Stromboli and we passed within a mile or two of the volcano. And the view of the volcano was on our side of the ship. As promised, Stromboli delivered. I missed a larger eruption. That’s what skepticism will do for you. Never ready when you need to be. But I managed to catch a small flare up. The almost full moon helped define the outlines of the volcano. If you dial in, you can even glimpse Venus between the moon and the mountain. All visible from our stateroom veranda. Can Betty plan a trip or what!