Home Run

We left Siracusa for our final run for home. After an uneventful night anchored in Porto Palo, we headed into Marina di Ragusa. This marina is in 'big time' competition with Licata as the premier wintering destination, with opinion sharply divided between cruisers. In fact, it almost seems like a religious observance, the zealotry with which each marina is defended by its advocates.

The gorge dividing Ragusa

Rugged terrain around Ragusa

Marina de Ragusa is a small tourist village that built up around the Port. There is not much of local interest here. We planned to spend two nights here, so a trip inland was in order. The real town of Ragusa is about 25km and a bus trip away. Ragusa is perched on a steep hill, with gorges all around. At the end of the main town, torturous stairways and paths lead down to the village of Ibli. There were fantastic panoramic views over these towns.

The village of Ibli, looking from Ragusa

Walking down the path to Ibli

Ragusa apartments perched on the cliff

Ragusa town hall

These coastal Italian towns were heavily bombed during the war, so there is a fascinating and chaotic jumble of new and old. I've become entranced by the architectural feature which just leap out everywhere.

Gargoyles supporting the balcony

Small shrines abound

Extensive stone carving in a church

Stone carving with partial fresco remaining

Small fresco on a church column

Ragusa was a fascinating town that we must return to during the winter. It was a long and steep walk down to Ibli, so we were very thankful that there was a local bus we could catch back up to the heights of Ragusa.

The village of Ibli

16th century church under renovation in Ibli

Main square in Ibli

Tranquil park in Ibli

Saint Georges gate, check out the slain dragon 

Formal gardens at the tip of Ibli

After a great day exploring Ragusa, it was back to the marina, ready for an early departure to our final destination. We'd chosen Licata based on recommendations of several friends. We quite like to arrange our contract early in the year as it gives us a 'target' to aim for. So, for the entire year, you have a destination in mind that will become home for six months, without any real knowledge of what you might have in store.

Our winter berth at dawn

Megan wondering 'Where exactly are we??'

Winter destinations are really important, as we'll be spending most of the next six months here. Licata proved to have a lively and gritty town, a real Italian town with no tourists or grockle. Its devious alley-ways, chaotic riots of small shops selling anything and everything, and its overtones of Sicilian mafioso will keep us entertained all winter. We love the place already.

Our local noise-maker, the concrete works

The sun rises on our new home.

A light house to keep us company at night

The cruising community here proved to be very welcoming and quite diverse. We've already been thrown into  a world of social activities, with parties and happy hours, playing gigs with a band, Megan's art group and my guitar group. It should be a jumpin' winter.

Megan admiring the tiling on the bus seat

Interesting and windy lanes

Stairways lead everywhere

On the hill overlooking Licata

Church and the main square

Lots of really old architectural features remain

Another Licata church

So, happily tucked into our new winter home, its now all about planning trips into the mainland of Italy (we might go the Naples and Pompeii next week)  and diving into the copious amounts of boat-work that need to be done. Arrivederci.