Sea Cloud docks at Trapani, on the extreme west side of Sicily. I’ve been here many years ago producing a story for National Geographic. It’s full of sweet memories to come back. My history as a National Geographic photographer passes from Trapani.
To land here, Sea Cloud sails through the Egadi islands, between Favignana and Marettimo. Paradise on Earth. It’s before sunrise and the water is calm as oil and no sound disturbs the silence. The movement of Sea Cloud is barely perceptible. We proceed slow and gentle like an old lady dancing waltz on the water. With my background as a seaman, I’m enjoying this moment with all my senses. At the same time, according to my new career, I’ve got my camera ready on the tripod. I’d love to do a “time-lapse” of the landing.
The pilot finally approaches Sea Cloud. In a few minutes we are into the port, docking. As soon as I realize that we have arrived, it’s time go ashore and our new adventure begins. Guests are excited. We are going to explore Erice, the most important medieval village in Sicily that overlooks Trapani from above. It is no mystery that the famous pastry shop “Maria of Erice,” appeals more than anything else. We keep talking about that as a memorable end of the morning of exploration through the village. And it goes exactly this way. In the meantime we climb along the narrow streets of Erice, we all dream about almond cookies. Our local guide, Filippa, is conscious that she can tell the best part of the history of Erice, but nothing is more important for us except trying one of these delicious cookies. And as only an expert guide knows how to make it, when we are tired of walking, magically, she ends up few meters away from “Maria.” “See you at this corner at 10:30,” Filippa says and we all move, as a single person, into the shop to get the cookies.
With still the last almond crunching in the mouth, we visit the cathedral. A massive monument dated 1300 that brings all of us to the reality of the beauty of Erice and its history. It’s time to go back, having lunch aboard, but the day is not finished for us. Tom, the expedition leader, announces that when the sails are set, we have the chance to go off the ship on Zodiacs to photograph Sea Cloud in its maximum splendor. What a touch to finish our day, to see Sea Cloud dancing waltz on the water again.
