Sunday , 9 November 2025
Lipari Island, Sicily, Italy

Today the Encore drops anchor off the coast of Lipari, a small island that belongs to the central government of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. We do not have any shore excursions here, which is a good thing, since the rain gods have determined that this is a perfect day for a downpour. 

The weather forecast tells us that the rain will be with us all morning, but that the afternoon will bring clear skies. Will decides to stay on board, but I take a noon-time tender to shore. As usual the forecasts are all wrong and when I arrive on the island, the rain becomes a deluge. Luckily there are a couple of port-side restaurants open for lunch. Nearly everyone from the tender runs into the eisenglass curtained dining rooms to escape the storm.

I find the last unoccupied small table and order a pasta lunch to outlast the storm. The food is mediocre and the floors are wet, but the sea-through curtains keep out most of the rain.

After about 90 minutes the rain finally lets up and I decide to see this small town on this small island very quickly. The streets are still raging rivers and the sidewalks--such as they are--are wet and slippery.

But the sun soon emerges and the streets start to dry.

With soaked shoes and wet feet I take the next tender back to the Encore, enjoying some final views of Lipari in the late afternoon sunshine.

Tonight's dinner:

Beef Carpaccio

Prosciutto with Figs

Filet of Sole with Mashed Potatoes
and Wilted Lettuce