ANSA/The Vespucci in Darwin, sailboat reaches Australia

by Domenico Palesse (ANSA) - DARWIN, OCT 3 - When the Italian Navy's Amerigo Vespucci training sailboat, Italy's worldwide ambassador, reaches the port of Darwin, the city is still sleeping.
    The sun peaks from the horizon and the first rays of sunlight reflect on the freshly polished brass furniture.
    The last operations take place and then the Amerigo Vespucci can dock for the first time in its history in Darwin, Australia, for the 24th leg of its world tour, which started 460 days ago and has lasted, for the moment, 34,427 miles, over one and half tours around the entire globe.
    The Italian Navy's training vessel will remain at the port until October 7 and is preparing to register the umpteenth sold out visits on board. As of Saturday, moreover, the traditional Villaggio Italia will open, the itinerant exhibition of Italian excellence managed by Difesa Servizi.
    The silhouette of the sailboat that symbolizes Italy in the world stands out in the Australian sky, while cadets climb the stairs.
    On the ground, the band of the Bersaglieri pays homage to 'the most beautiful vessel in the world' while authorities and institutional representatives salute its arrival at the port.
    The performance doesn't pass unobserved for boats sailing along the coast as they stop so passengers can take a picture.
    "Our enterprise is not just about bringing a message of the Italian Defence around the world, the Vespucci will not only be moving with us but with all of Italy", stressed by the commander, Giuseppe Lai.
    "There is great expectation in being here in Australia, in a territory that is so far from Italy and so fascinating", explained the captain who on Thursday bid farewell to the 115 cadets who completed their three months of training in Darwin.
    "It was in some ways an atypical campaign", he said.
    "The Vespucci campaigns for cadets are generally in northern Europe.
    "This was a campaign included in the world tour, completely in the Pacific Ocean and in South East Asian seas.
    "The cadets strongly felt they were part of a wider project in which our training was included as part of a path that will bring them to be the future of our armed forces.
    "My wish for them is to preserve their curiosity, enthusiasm and especially the smile they had in these past three months around the world with the Amerigo Vespucci ship".
    In the afternoon, the Bersaglieri's band performed in the crowded Waterfront, an area that attracts tourists as well as residents.
    Starting on Saturday, the congress centre on the pier will open its doors to inaugurate the new Villaggio Italia, the fair of Made in Italy in the world which already, during previous stopovers, from Lost Angeles to Tokyo, was widely celebrated by the public.
    Events, demonstrations, debates and movie screenings will turn the Village into a point of reference of Italy in the world for three days.
    "It is an extraordinary experience because we put together the ability of an historic and extremely beautiful vessel like the Vespucci, which represents the Navy and Italy, with Villaggio Italia where Made in Italy leaves the perimeter of our country and goes towards important countries like Australia", stressed the president of Difesa Servizi, Gioacchino Alfano. (ANSA).