This week’s photo challenge theme is ‘Journey’. This photo was taken in Pantelleria in October 2008. This was my second journey to this magical island which lies closer to Tunisia than Sicilia. This island will always hold a very special place in my heart. I was traveling solo, hell bent on finding the famed caper berries that grow abundantly on the island. I have written a few earlier blog posts on this little island and the wonderfully warm people that call it home. (Look over there on the right under Regions to read more!) On this trip, flights to the island were scarce so I had flown to Palermo, taxied to Trapani and taken the overnight ferry to Pantelleria. The ferry was a complete hoot. I shared a cabin with 3 Italian ladies and my bunk lay just near the porthole. I was able to watch the evening fade as I was lulled to sleep by the gentle movement of the boat. Magical moments. A few days into my trip I hiked up to the top of a hill overlooking Lago Specchio di Venere (Lake Venus’ mirror), a gorgeous saline lake that sits near the middle of the island. I have vivid memories of sitting on this ledge of the hill, high above, feet dangling – the smell of a fire from below, the freshness of the air, the sounds of island life around me. My journal entry for that day expresses gratitude for all that I had experienced from my travels near and far. Gratitude that runs deep with every journey I take. May I always be so fortunate. Happy journeys!
Nice posting Michele! You’re motivating me!! I’ve traveled extensively in the past, but now with a home & responsibilities in Tampa here, it’s been only briefly to get away….you know the feeling of being adventure & culture starved here at home, where, for me anyway, people seem almost phobic about anything but the same monotonous cruises! I need to get moving, time’s awasting..I should look into your special island…could I manage with only a bit of Italian there? …and would Aug. be a bad idea heatwise, given I’m looking to escape the monster humidity in Fla.?!
Grazie! – Tom B. (ex-Rutgers guy)
Hi Tom – Good to hear from you! Hope all is well in Tampa. Pantelleria is a very laid back island ….hanging with the locals who are very tolerant of a bit of English. My first visit was in August and it was a bit crowded but not overly so. Email if you want more details – lots of suggestions! Stay in touch. Ciao Michele
Hello from Pantelleria Island! We’re very pleased of reading from you about our wonderful place! If you wanto to come back please contact us at http://www.pantelleriahouse.it and we’ll give you all detalis! We hope to meet you in the Black Pearl of The Mediterranean Sea!
Best regards,
Marco Cirinesi
PANTELVOICE
Grazie Marco! I will indeed contact you when I return – I hope to come back some day soon! Simply an amazing island. A dopo, Michele