Sicily: From Isola delle Correnti to Modica

From the Isola delle Correnti at the southernmost point of Sicily, we make our way to Modica and Ragusa. After we Noto we would like to see more of the baroque Val di Noto. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason. According to the sat nav, the journey takes less than an hour. However, here in Sicily, I wouldn't put much stock in the navigation system's information. We often take shortcuts. But we're hopeful that we'll get there today.

The coastal road 

Here in Sicily, we like to take the coastal roads whenever possible. There is a well on the way, a good opportunity to fill up our water tanks. The route along the coast is beautiful, following a long sandy beach and shifting sand dunes. It quickly becomes clear that we won't get far here. For our second breakfast we stop in Santa Maria del Focallo, a long sandy beach that we want to see. We park at Lido Otello, in the middle of the sandpit. There are a few campers in the parking lot of the beach shack. It's very windy today and you're sheltered from the wind here. We decide to stay here on the beach. So much for reaching Modica today. But who could resist this kilometer-long white sandy beach?

We set off for a walk on the beach. We watch a few kiters enthusiastically. The wind and waves are great today.

Mussels at sunrise

The next morning, we are back on the beach very early. Our inner clock is now ringing just before 6 a.m. Because the sunrises here on the east coast of Sicily are so beautiful that we don't want to miss them. We are the only ones on the beach. Apart from us, there are no other people on this beautiful beach. I love drinking my first coffee alone on the beach in the morning with my feet in the sand. Marc goes swimming, so I can enjoy my coffee in peace. 

But there is a man in the water. In long fishing pants. Looks like he's working. What is he doing there? We say a friendly hello. And as always here in Sicily, people are happy when you speak to them in a friendly manner. He happily shows us his haul: shells! He walks parallel to the beach through the shallow water, dragging a kind of heavy fan or cage behind him. He tells us cheerfully that he is a retired policeman and that he comes here every morning in good weather to catch mussels. No, it's not hard work, it's his hobby. We are allowed to try them. And the first raw mussels of my life don't taste bad at all. They certainly couldn't be fresher. Perfect for pasta vongole. Thank you for this great encounter, another lesson learned. And no, we won't be bored on our trip.

Beach day in Sicily

We decide to stay here for another day. The network is good, we can work on the blog and edit a few videos.

Day number two is just as windy. The kiters enjoy it. Which in turn is fun for us. But having sand in every crack is less fun for us. Torgit only left the sliding door open briefly today and the inside of our van was already completely covered in a fine layer of sand. And when we came back from the beach, we had sand in our noses, ears, eyes and between our teeth. 

Race horse, race ...

The next morning we are back on the beach quite early. A truck pulls up and a couple of guys on a scooter. There's a lot of funny Sicilian palaver, then the flap on the truck goes down and I can hardly believe my eyes: a beautiful, thoroughbred racehorse is led out. He's got fire in his bottom. The horse is quickly led onto the beach and harnessed to a sulky. The jockey, or should I say gaucho, jumps on and off we go along the beach. When the horse has had its fill, Marc is allowed to go for a ride. And the jockey proudly tells him that this great racehorse belongs to him and his four friends. What a great hobby.

Then we make our way to Modica. Will we get there today?