Otranto and the passage to Reggio di Calabria

We've completed a grueling couple of days under way with only two brief stops for food and rest along Italy's southern coast.

We left Brindisi four days ago for Otranto near the bottom of the heel of Italy. This town was originally settled by the Greeks and over the ages has been an important maritime center. Today, this heritage is evident in the aggressiveness of the Guardia Costiera, who took an inordinate amount of time reviewing and processing our ship's papers and passports. We needed an extra day before these documents were returned, delaying our departure. Thankfully, the city's walled old town is exceedingly charming, and we idled away some hours enjoying the surroundings and swimming in the clean, clear harbor waters.

Finally able to embark, we sailed to St. Maria di Leuca on the very bottom of the heel of  Italy. There, we anchored for a few hours before setting sail again. Our passage took us all the way to Reggio di Calabria where we are now berthed, with only a second brief stop in Sovatero. We had intended to take a stop at Catanzaro Marina but on approach were warned off by the Guardia Costiera who hailed us on VHF Ch. 16 to advise that the entrance had silted over and could not accommodate our draft. We would have to sail on to Sovatero.

Caroline and Luna leave the boat here in Reggio di Calabria where the train station is only a short distance from the yacht harbor. Jocelyn and I plan to take a ferry to sight see Messina tomorrow, then move the boat to a marina on Sicily's northeast shore before setting sail for the Eolian Islands later this week.