Cross country

It has been an interesting couple of days with one invalid on board.

I really enjoyed Ortigia, and was greatly impressed by the vast catacombs. Sad to leave the sea and the pace of life behind.

 

We bussed across Sicily via Caltagirone and its staircase of 146 steps, with ceramic tiles. Apparently a very good area for porcelain clay. There were some beautiful designs in some of the shops. A very interesting hill town in its own right.

 

Our bumpy bus, and bumpy roads made for an interestig trip, we next went to Piazza Amerina and the famous Villa Romana des casale. An excavated villa from the age of Diocletion I think. This is where you find the class images of the women in bikinis. Some fantastic mosaics, with much restoration going on.

 

We arrived in Palermo around 6, greatful to be off the bus. The driving was ok, but the Autostrada could do with some fixing.

Palermo feels like a great city, modern in parts, extremely old in others. We are by the Politeama opera house, traffic is pretty bad, but the streets in one direction are full of swanky shops, and down the other way to Quattro Canti, the centre of old Palermo there are many churches and alleyways.

Very busy, but there is a great vitality here.

 

You wouldnt believe but I am sitting in an internet cafe called the Aboriginal bar - they serve xxxx here. Yikes. but the internet is quick.

 

Tomorrow we are off to Monreale and Zisa. Should be another fantastic day.