Doc Strines Explores

The day commenced with a brief boat ride to the nearby island of Vulcano.

A very distinctive acrid smell of sulphur greeted us on arrival at the island.

After walking through the small port village we arrived at the path to climb up to the crater.

A gentle pumice covered path zigzagged through the lower slopes, but as we ascended the path steepened and became heavily rutted from years of erosion both by tourists and the weather.

Closer to the crater the landscape changed, becoming barren and rock strewn . Fortunately the wind was blowing the gases away from the view point. The group followed a barren path encircling the crater before starting the descent.

Back down we enjoyed an ice cream and a drink before venturing into the mud baths and thermal springs in the bay.

The temperature of the mud baths varied due to hot spots in the mud! After the recommended 20 minutes we washed off the mud in the warm sea water, however there was a lingering acrid aroma from the mud!

Time for the boat back to Lipari and a hot shower.

Dinner was in the main square at a local pizzeria.