We woke up docked in Messina, Sicily right off the tip of the boot of Italy. R, C and J decided they wanted to stay on ship with the Ocean Adventures Program. The fun was just calling them!! It was hot so we thought this was a good idea! J, M, S and I took off to see what we could see on our own. Our only goal was to find some water bottles at a local store to carry with us throughout the week. We happened upon the city's Bell Tower (“one of the world's largest and most fanciful mechanical clocks) at the stroke of noon and were able to watch it do all of its interesting “chimes”.
I found this online…("This 60m/197ft high bell-tower, reconstructed using old designs, contains one of the greatest of all astronomical clocks, a work by the Strasbourg firm of Ungerer (1933); every day at midday the figures are set in motion and show scenes from the history of Messina, including the handing-over of the legendary letter of protection from the Madonna to Messina. According to tradition she gave a letter to Messinan diplomats in Nazareth, in which she wrote: "We bless you and your city")... It had like nine things going on… a lion roared, a rooster crowed, etc. We then walked around a bit, found our water and a postcard and then headed back to the ship. On the way back to the ship we sat and listened to the organ play while resting outside the church next to the clock tower. This is Seth talking to a parrot! They really seemed to have a conversation! 
A little time at the pool (John in his European swimsuit which he LOVES) and then dinner was fantastic as always!
The show that night was called "Now and Forever" which was a tribute to Broadway... we all enjoyed it but of course M did especially!
This is just our funny J doing Yoga for fun... he came up with this all on his own! He's says he floating.
2 comments:
What a wonderful opportunity! Everyone is so envious. Have you met my friend Joyce yet? I know she is going on one of the cruise tours. I think Ephesis? We miss you. Love Mom
Yes mom ... unbelievably over 3000 people on the ship and we boarded the ship at the same time... with just a couple between us. We then got to talk to them later in the week while waiting for one of the shows to start! It is a small world!
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