Saturday
Dear Elsie
Today was the day we went to Sicily! And it surprised us. Fuerteventura at the Canary Islands was expected to be lush and tropical. Today, we expected Sicily to be barren and featureless – it was far from that – beautiful and historic. Our arrival was spectacular. The pilot came out to meet the ship…
Sun rising over the deck.
The port from the deck.
We had a very early breakfast & then got ready to go out for the day. It was an hour’s drive from Palermo, the capital (population 700000) to Cefalu (population 70000). Cefalu began as an ancient fishing village before a King visited and found its beauty alluring enough to move there. It instantly gained popularity and now it’s flooded with tourists most the year but particularly in the summer months.
Cefalu – pronounced Chif-a-loo.
The main event at Cefalu is by far and away the impressive Duomo built in 1142.
Inside is an aisle, an altar and then the most impressive mosaic display dating back to the time of its building.
We bought tickets for 10 Euro each which enabled us to go up the towers and also to take a closer look at the mosaics.
The cross is “only” 16th Century
There is also the Silver Tabernacle
We climbed the (only) 76 steps up one tower, walked across to the other and then down its stairs. These are the photos.
If walls could speak, what stories could be told over the last 883 years
Walking between the two towers…
We took a walk around some narrow roads and alleyways
We found a little restaurant that had 4 amazing attributes – a stunning view, good coffee (black only for Euro 2.5o), WIFI and a free loo!
Cefalu beach..
Then it was back to the ship, but the wonderful tour guide offered to drop us off in the centre of Palermo so we could go check out Italy’s biggest Opera House – a whopping 7000 square meters.
It goes on and on and on…
Once we had taken photos of every side, we strolled back to the ship through the adjacent square where the horse and carts park.
We have had an amazing day in Sicily. I would love to return.
This evening is all about packing. We leave tomorrow at about 8.30am to start the disembarkation process and catch a taxi to the airport at about 10am. There is going to be some hanging around, but I’d rather hang around at Rome airport than at the Cruise terminal where there is absolutely nothing to do.
We’ve had a memorable cruise. Turkey awaits!
I’ve got some meaningful gems from Psalm 104
Psalm 104
Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
It’s not about now – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂