Gearing (DD 710) - Naval Cruise Book

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GEARING d ' . . , . ominated the harbor at Giardini, as seen from the two thousand foot pinnacle of Castel Mola. TAORMIN A. SICILY. X ,kxy TOuri .ng Orphans ' ' for his musical taiiietsillsclnated as Scherr finds a new audien This is one working party with plenty of volunteers- b tween the ship and shuttling the smallest youngsters e the motor whaleboat.

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The delicious spaghetti dinner on Mt. Etna featured mush- rooms and peas instead of tomato sauce. Volcanic rocks and ash making up the last thousand feet were conquered by foot. The beautiful open harbor at Giardini, Sicily became the setting for a week's visit by GEAR- ING. Giardini is on the site of the ancient, Greek colony of Naxio, buried by an eruption of Mt, Etna. The survivors built Taormina on the thou- sand-foot cliffs to the north of Giardini. Today, Giardini is a beach resort for the holidays or for retirement, and Taomina retains the flavor ofa Sicilian village at festival time. As the only ship present, GEARING enjoyed the warm hospitality to its fullest, and we were able to return the favor. A number of visitors toured the ship, including the mayors of the two towns, and over 75 orphans from nearby insti- tutions. Ashore, we swam and skin dove, visited the many cafes of Taormina, and shopped in the village of Castel Mola, perched on a pinnacle 1,000 feet above Taormina. Tours were arranged to Mt. Etna, 40 miles away. When the bus could go no farther, a dusty, bumpy jeep ride was available for those who dared to try for the top. Getting there turned out to be half the fun! The smell of sulfur, the feel of warm rocks underfoot, the sight of a thousand-foot-deep crater over- flowing with smoke and steam while another one rumbled and tossed out lava and ashes, are all impressions we will long remember. Back on board ship, the nights were aglow with the red lights from two active lava streams visible from Giardini. Found on top ofa mountain. tri 7' - W lgws of flying lava and smoking craters were Worth thC il l l 5 i 1 l i l r 2 Q l i -I .-1 --S

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l F Semetlma the only view available st ru teuzist attrac- tion is the one through the tour bus window, ss at one ef Bsreelorws two bullrrrrgs. After more than two weeks underway, during which ws operated with ships -frem England, Italy, and Greece in Operation Dawn Patrol, the sight of-the Columbus statue marking the port of Barcelrrrxa, Spain was 4 wel eelorrs eembirred the essyeguing, inexpensive Spmish way ef life with the advantages ef me big city. It is gn eld city, supposedly feunded by Hercules, and offers marry contrasts between the old and the new GEARING meered just a block frenz the fmeus replica ofthe flagship of Columbus, SANTA MARIA. Threngs of curious Spaniards and visiting tourists sword br hours err the pier observing activity sn board, the meet popular time being evening colors, when hundreds watched our guard of the day do the horrors. Many were able ra tour the ship on designated afternoons. A Meanwhile, we were discovering the city. Literally hundreds of blue uniforms were present at the Plaza Msnumerrtal de T-ores fer the Spanish rlatiesxl spurt, A pspuler 'leur included this must lsmuus ofa bullriugs sud follewed it up with Flamenco dancing in the evening. Others shopped-slang the Rambles, 1 tree-lined boule- vard with dszens ef outdoor shops and cafes. An serial trsmuray over the herb-er provided breathtaking views of eemed one. As the secsndelargest city in Spain, Bu? dre city. Cathedrals, ancient and modern, cliffzep lorri- llcatierrs and msussteries, amusement perks, huge pizzas and Eureprfs largest lsuntaiu all provided educational or entertaining diversions, The ten-day stay was svez all tm 86011. BARCELONA, , , SPAIN e4-44