I got to do something cool yesterday. I transited the Strait of Messina. This is a very narrow channel between the Mainland of Italy and the Island of Sicily. We approached in the early afternoon picked up a pilot and made it through the Strait in about an hour and a half. It was very hazy and picture taking was ho-hum. I'd have to say that the Mainland side was slightly more picturesque with rock walls built into cliffs and old homes on the water.

There was a lot of ferry traffic as well as pleasure crafts and sailboats cruising along the coastline.

All in all it was a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon (especially since I wasn't on watch and could just stand on the bridge wing watching the scenery pass by)!