Isola Ciclopi & Taormina 3

After the volcano, we drove straight to Isola Ciclopi. This little stretch of the Sicilian coast is prime for paddle boating, and kayaking and cliff jumping and all that stuff. The two towns that border each on this rocky piece of the sea front are adjacent to the city of Catania, but couldn't feel further from the industrial center. The church/castle ruins on the cliff side, the many corner cafe's offering pastries and pizzas, and the waterfront bars are what made this area a must return for us.
Parking wasn't quick and easy, but after finding a place and paying the attendant it was a short walk along the boardwalk to the place we had our sights set on. "That's a long walk, you know why that's a long walk?" says Rob as Matty and I point out our target. "...Its a long walk because I have to pee, and I need a beer." clarifies Rob. Matty and I laugh and as we sit down at a street side cafe. Once to this waterside deck bar, we get another round and check out the scenery. The deck is clearing out, at this time of night on Friday there aren't many people around; Saturday and Sunday evening are the busiest. We decide to just do it, rent a paddle boat and get out to the rocks just off the beach. I know what you may be thinking, but it looks totally normal to have as many men in one small boat as possible in Europe. We figured nobody would laugh at the three of us guys in a small red paddle boat with a water slide on it, and so off we went.
The paddle boat was at top speed, heading out to the Island of Cyclops. A short paddle brought us to a channel between two rocks where I had seen some kids jumping from the cliff. Not having surf shorts with us, we had to swim in our boxers. That didn't look out of place at all in Greece, if anybody noticed we were in underwear. We all jumped off the boat, letting it drift, and climbed up the cliff face. I showed Matty my forward backflip, and he showed interest in learning it. I told him the keys to the trick, and he landed on his face the first few times. It was a funny slap, but Matty didn't give up and landed one on his fourth try. Time on our rental was up, we returned the boat and headed off to find Harry.
Next stop was Taormina, parking was strange there and semi difficult to find. The lot was down under the tram line, and the turn was easy to miss leaving you facing a one way the wrong way. The main shopping street was packed on for the night. Together we decided it would be hilarious to all buy speedos with different flags of countries nearby. Greece, Turkey, and Italy. I was to wear Greece, blue and white cross and stripes. Lucky for us, we could not locate these "costumes" in any of the 5 stores that we checked. Besides looking for funny swimming costumes, I tried some cafe' fast food and just people watched. There were many wealthy people walking around very dressed up and spending wads of Euro. Trophy wives were leading their reluctant husbands from one shop to the next. Teens from rich families were strolling in groups, trying to be noticed. After walking to the end of the long street, we just turned around and returned to Harry.
Matty hit a parked car on the way back to the marina. Making a right turn at a corner he took the turn too tight and smashed the tail light of a car that was stopped there. The car only had children inside, the parent probable being inside the store there. Matty pulled forward to find a place to stop without clogging traffic. He left the van, Rob and I stayed with it. Matty ran back to the van and reported that the car had already taken off. We assumed that the driver did not have insurance and feared the presence of police. Matty drove towards the marina and parked the van close by the docks. A large scratch now covered the passenger side sliding door, but the van was fully covered on the rental insurance so that was not a problem.