In keeping with my usual practice, I was up at 5:30 today. I decided to go up on deck to see if I could catch the sunrise. It was a little cloudy and windy, but we'll worth the trip. It was so peaceful and beautiful watching the sun peek through the clouds. I was pretty much by myself and I enjoyed the experience for about an hour.
Our ride from the ferry took about four hours. We saw some of the most beautiful countryside. We started out with more olive trees and many staked and covered plants, which I took to be grapes. Then, about half-way through we had the ocean on the left and mountains on the right. I'm surprised at the number and size of cacti that I see. Many of the buildings are constructed in stone.
Then we turned into the mountains and we followed a road full of hair-pin turns as we climbed higher. The valleys were silver-green with olive trees.
We ate lunch at the place where they demonstrated how to make cheeses. Of course lunch included cheeses made there, including a marvelous fresh ricotta. The pasta had freshly grated cheese, and we ate al fresco.
The delegates got to help in the making of the cheese, from stirring to removing of curd and shaping. We also learned that the by-product is used to make the ricotta.
We took a walking tour of Morano Calabro and then assisted in clearing a path of rocks on our way up to see an expansive vista of the town. I have to admit, I took the easy way. About half way up, I was offered a ride to the top, and I took it!
Morano Calabro is built into a steep hillside. As we approached it from the road, I was in awe of how high and steep it appeared. Then, when we got to the summit, it was hundreds of feet below us. It was an unbelievable view.
Tonight we're staying very close to the birthplace of my maternal ancestors. I can almost feel them hugging me.
Beautiful sunrise photo. Glad you had some quiet time.
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