Mt Etna is the highest active volcano in the whole of Europe. From Palermo, our driver and guide for the day, Paulo, took us along the eastward highway along the coast before going inland and southwards towards the foot of Mount Etna. As we climbed up the along the winding road, the temperature gradually dropped and became colder and colder. But we were all prepared with the right gear.
Unfortunately, it was a cloudy and rainy day and the mountain upper half was completely blanketed in the thick and black clouds. So, upon reaching the first station at an altitude of about 2000 metres, we gave up the idea of taking the cable car which would lift you up another 1000 metres before the park's 4-wheel-drive vehicles would take you further up to the top where the smouldering volcano is!...
At the level of the first station, there were several small craters which allowed us the chance to do a bit of exercise walking up and down the craters. The cool windy weather also helped.....
The lowlands at the foot of Mt Etna is fertle grounds for agriculture. Their main produce are pistachios, olives....
this farm-house was buried by the flowing lava from the eruption in 2002....
20 minutes to climb up this little crater..
this 'crater silvestri 'at altitude 1986 metres..
the top of Mount Etna was blanketed by dark clouds..
one of the smaller craters at the first station...
various types of honey ......free tasting..
properly geared for the colder temperature..
view of the lowlands from the first station...
one of the little craters...
the crater was at least 50 metres deep...
No comments:
Post a Comment