Log: October 2nd to October 17th We arrived in Messina, Italy on October 2nd at around 6:30 p.m. after 12 hours of motor sailing. The harbor is very busy with huge ferries the size of cruise ships arriving or departing every five minutes. There are also large cruise ships entering this small harbor. Some of the ferries are so large that they need to back out since there isn't enough room for them to turn around!!! Therefore, the berth we were in was very rolly, but not unbearable!! However, about once or twice a day four ferries were entering or leaving the harbor at the same time which churned up the waters so much, we needed to hang on!! On October 3rd, we walked around Messina and found a FREE Internet café and a rental car. Rudy and I drove to Taormina where one of the scenes in "An Affair to Remember" was filmed. It was where Cary Grant's grandmother lived on top of a beautiful hill. Rudy and I went to the top and the scenery was magnificent!!! The small town was alive with activity and tourists even at this time of year!!! Taormina was inhabitant by early Sicilians, who were from Messina and inhabitants of Naxos (the Greek island) in 403 B.C. The tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius, destroyed the town, allowing the survivors to occupy the ledge of the Monte Tauro that became "Tauromenion". The church of S. Pancrazio dates back to the 3rd century B.C. and the residential zone for the Hellenistic city was located here. The acropolis stood on the summit of the mount where the medieval castle now sits. Little did Dionysius, the Tyrant, realize that he was doing us a favor by driving his enemies up the mountain to build one of the finest theatres in Italy which is still used to this day. Not only was the view breathtaking, but, so was the theatre. As you look above the stage, Mt Etna becomes a beautiful backdrop!! (In the Roman days it was turned into an amphitheater for gladiatorial spectacles.) The next day we traveled to Siracusa (Syracuse) and to the old town of Ortygia which is actually an island connected to Sicily by two bridges. There we visited the Temple of Apollo (the oldest Doric temple in Sicily) and the Fonte Aretusa. We also found the most delicious cannoloes. In fact, we had to wait while they filled them..we didn't mind. We drove to the town of Noto to see the Baroque facades. We stopped along the side of the road to eat a picnic lunch, which was overlooking the beautiful hillside and then we were off to Mt Etna. We went to the top of one side of Mt. Etna (about 6,500 feet) and marveled at the immense expanse of lava from a recent eruption in the area that surrounded us and that was only the southern part. Then we went back to Taormina to visit the area in sunlight. After we returned the car, we ate a great meal at Mario's. Driving in Italy is really an experience.when there are two lanes with double lines between them, this seems to indicate to the Italians that you can make two more lanes in either direction. Also, when the speed limit says 100km (62.5mph) that means you can go at least 150 km (93.75mph). However, Rudy was going 140-160 km and we were being passed like we were standing still!!!! We stayed in Messina six days waiting for a weather window. On October 8th we finally got a good forecast and we left Messina at 7 a.m. The current was with us and we were going 9.5 knots over ground.and that is with no sails!!! Before we reached our destination, we saw a whale (in the Med!) and several dolphins playing in the waters. Rudy took a detour to try to get a better look, but they submerged and we don't!!! We arrived at Vibo Valentia at around 2:30 p.m. and the first thing I did was use the washing machine. We had dinner at Maria Rosa and we, along with Jean and Bill, were the only four people in the place. The next day I did three more washes and had to use Jean's clothesline and clothespins to hang everything!!! I was hoping no one was going to stop and ask me how much I charged for laundry service!!! It would have to be a large amount for me to even consider!!!! (I have been looking for a washing machine for the boat.I hope I will find one smaller enough in Gaeta!!!) The forecast for the next two days was for high winds..force 8-9 (34-47 knots) and rain. We didn't get the winds because this marina was so protected, but on October 10th, we did get the rain, which lasted through Friday with some hail about ½" to ¾" in diameter. We were getting cabin fever so we decided to rent a car and drive a little over 300 miles one way to Gaeta to see our friends there. We surprised everyone especially since we came by car. We had a tour of the area from Bonnie and Dave on Icarus and had dinner on Saturday night and breakfast on Sunday with them as well as Pat and Dick on Mad River and Liljana and Salah on Liljana. Dave and Bonnie were gracious enough to have us sleep on Icarus and it was the first time we have slept on a Catamaran!! On Sunday we drove back to help celebrate Bill's birthday in Vibo Valentia. The trip took us through the mountains to over 3,500 feet high where the trees were starting to turn. We passed by Mt. Vesuvius in Pompeii, which was awesome!!! On Monday, October 14, we left for Centraro about 45 miles up the west coast of Italy. The next day we arrived at Acceroli. We walked through this quaint little town and found a great restaurant to have dinner. On October 16, we left for the island of Capri. On the way to Capri, we started to send poems back and forth to Soleil. (down below!!) As we approached the island, we took pictures of the beautiful formations and the "Rich and Famous" houses!!! When we were told that the charges for one night would be in excess of $100, we left for the island of d'Ischia. We anchored-free-under a castle and spent a rolly night!! The next morning, October 17th,we were on our way to Gaeta and our winter home. As we passed the U.S. Navy Warship (not too close or they get very nervous!!) we made a right into the marina. There waiting for us were Salah and Liljana from Liljana, Dick and Pat from Mad River and Dave and Bonnie from Icarus welcoming us and helping to take lines!!! What a fantastic welcome!!!! Rudy and I will be working on the boat to prepare it for the winter and making day trips to Rome, Naples, Capri and a few more places if time and weather permits. We will keep youou informed!!! Croatia to Gaeta By Boundless Our trip to Gaeta was a ball From Croatia to Gaeta it took us well into fall It was Boundless and Soleil Who were together each day Through wind and rain and boring weather For 60 long days we stuck together We me Truant, Magic Carpet and Geminay At some of the several stops along the way Bill took care of Soleil to get there sooner While Jean fished with grapes and caught some tuna Repairs were necessary in Brindisi But the yacht club made dinner and night very easy We met Gitana and Zelda at Vieste So we stayed long enough for a siesta The dominoes were good and the town was great But we had to leave or we'd miss our date We met Bob and Nick at Ciro He got the guy away from our boat and was our hero Nick caught a tuna but Jean was still in the lead So when we got to port Bob and Nick put on a great feed We made our way to Capri To see what we could see We wanted to stay but we wouldn't pay so off to d'Ischia went we We arrived in Gaeta on time All of our friends were there to take a line. It was Dick & Pat, Salah & Liljiana and Bonnie and Clyde Who made our arrival in Gaeta well worth the ride Thanks from Boundless! Limericks from Boundless Sailing on our way to Capri We broke down in the Med Sea While Rudy fixed the boat I kept it afloat The job was done - Boundless was free As we sailed on our way to Capri A swordfish took a sunbath in the sea It was not big or small Nor short or tall It kept out of our path to Capri Following Soleil on our way to Capri We saw all kinds of debris There were bamboo sticks Bags with some bricks But we sailed through it carefree