Our cruise director warned us that a lot of Messina would be closed on Sunday, so we were glad we had pre-purchased an excursion, “Mt. Etna and Taormina” from the ship’s excursion department. It was an hour motor coach ride on hairpin curves to the top of the mountain. Some folks had planned a trip to hike to the top of the highest crater and walk the perimeter at the top. 
Not us. we “hiked” five minutes to the top of one of the “smaller” craters and appreciated the experience well enough. 
The area was dusty with volcanic pebbles. 
I wore my Keens which provided great hiking traction, but they were not great for keeping out the small pebbles. Still, they were preferable to the high heel wedge sandals the fashion model on our tour was wearing. I’m sure she looked great in all her photos, but beauty definitely comes at an expense. We had been accustomed to 90 degree weather, so 71 degrees at this altitude felt a little brisk to us.
Our guide explained that there is still volcanic activity, primarily just blowing ash, and the people living in the closest villages hurry to sweep the ash off everything because when water touches it, the ash becomes a very hard paste.
Our trip included lunch at the “Ristorante” al Feudo. 
First course was spiral pasta in a light tomato sauce. 
Second course was bacon-wrapped, baked chicken and small, round potatoes. Cannoli was served for dessert.
Next we went to Taormina. 
Our guide gave us a tour of the main street and three squares of Taormina.
Could this be Taormina’s version of garden gnomes?
She ended at the Greek/Roman theater. 
I learned that a “theater” is a semi-circle facing a stage. “Amphi” means two, and so an amphitheater is a double theater making a full circle with a stage in the middle. This theater is still in use today. There was a Shakespeare performance scheduled for later that evening.
In some of the tourist areas of Italy, one can find the “friend post.” This is the one in Taormina.
I have purchased several stamps for my postcards this way. It includes a GPS tracking sticker. Tourists drop the postcard in special “friend post” mail boxes. I am curious to see if I ever see some of the postcards I sent to myself.
Next port: Cagliai, Sardinia, Italy