David's Diary: Thursday, July 11, 2002

Jocelyn Turns Thirteen

After we got back to the boats everyone wanted to hear more about our adventure, so we all stayed up late visiting and retelling the night's adventures on land and sea. We all slept in this morning, but I took one more trip ashore. From the outside, the church in Stromboli looks a little run-down. But once inside, the light interior, painted ceiling, and especially the artistic stained glass at the entrance all made me stop and take a look. The stained glass was lit by the light from the doorway and I soon realized that I was the only person enjoying the dazzling display.

Panarea

Around noon, Ganymede and Dragonsinger headed off in different directions. We waved goodbye and hope to meet up with Tony, Maggie, and Charlie later in the summer in Croatia. We headed south around the east side of Stromboli where we got to gaze up at the steep slope that we climbed down yesterday night. It looks even steeper in the daylight.

Opening Presents

It was a short trip to Panarea, the next island to the south of Stromboli. We pulled into a bay and dropped the anchor. Before we all went swimming Jocelyn took time to open her birthday presents. Hand-made cards decorated the wrapped packages as Jocelyn carefully unwrapped each gift. Then it was time for a swim, a look at the anchor, and time just lazing in the bright summer sunshine.

Birthday Party

After last night's adventures it seemed a little quieter as we lit thirteen candles on the birthday cake that Jocelyn made herself. Since we are in Europe and not Canada, Jocelyn did get a half glass of Champagne, which she enjoyed as we all toasted her becoming a teenager.