We Made It! Sicily

Our Delta flights to Sicily were fine.  Thank goodness we arrived a little early to the airport as the check in for international flights took longer than before the pandemic.  We had to show our results of the Covid test and had to have an electronic country form and of course our vaccination card.  There were only about 6 people in the line but it took almost an hour before we headed up to the gate.  Of course once we got to the gate, the plane was late. 

When we arrived at JFK airport, we had to wait again for a plane to leave the gate.  While sitting on the plane I read a text from Linda and gave her a quick call.  It seems our land/sea trip to Israel, Jordan, Egypt and the Suez canal has been cancelled.  

We were pleased with our two hour layover in New York, but found we had to scurry to the next gate as the plane was boarding.  The Rome airport has changed a lot since we were there.  They had baby grand pianos and people would stop and play them.  I was really surprised how well they played without any music.

Our representative and her colleague were waiting for us as we came up the gate ramp in Palermo.  Usually they are waiting in the baggage area.  They asked the color of our bags and went to gather them.  The driver was waiting outside to take us to be Covid tested again.  It was free and only a 10 minute walk, but our driver drove us over.  We had already pre-registered to take the test.  We walked in and they gave an extremely good swab.  Nothing like any of the other tests we've had.  In less than 10 minutes our tests were done and we were on our way to Cefalu.  It was an hour drive and our driver told us about the things we saw on our way.  We finally got to meet Nunzia, who is our trip leader.  She'd already called us and emailed us prior to the trip.

We left our house at 6 am Friday and it was now 5 pm Saturday.  I was surprised that we weren't tired at all.  Nunzia said she'd walk us around the area to show us where we could eat, go to the ATM, the pharmacy and market.  

We just wanted something light for dinner and found this cute little bar across from the beach.  I just pointed to the top things on the menu and said we'd have two local beers to go with it.  It turns out we had two giant ham and mozzarella cheese sandwiches, chips and the beer for less than $15. Bill loved the bread! I expected it to be much more considering the location.

We are staying at the Sea Palace which has beach access.  Nunzia said the reason our rooms don't face the ocean is because the Sicilain's party late at night and other groups asked to have rooms on the back side.  Our balcony is shaded in the afternoon.  Last night they were lighting fire works but city code now says they have to stop at midnight.  I can't imagine how loud it would have been if we were on the front.

Bill was happy with the included buffet breakfast since it had a wonderful selection of meats, cheeses, olives and pastries to go along with the normal eggs and bacon.  Europeans do not know how to cook bacon!

There was a meeting this morning where we met the  other six people on the tour.  Nunzia explained the itinerary to us.  We all went back to our rooms to gather our cameras and get our "whispers".  With Bill's hearing loss, he doesn't want to do a tour without them.  We were all handed Nunzia's business card.  I thought it was cute. I'll take a photo tomorrow.

Gabriella as waiting for us.  She is the local guide that accompanies Nunzia.  We walked along the sidewalk next to the beach.  We have a view of the old section from our hotel.  She said it dates back to 5 BC!  The two towers on the upper left are the cathedral.  While the temperature was 84 it seemed much warmer than Arizona temps when you factor in the humidity.   

The beaches were packed but it is the weekend.  Old town could have been used in many movies.  

The water flows from high in the mountain.  This is where they did the laundry. 

 Nunzia offered to do our laundry but since it's the beginning of the trip no one needed anything washed.  

I'm afraid if I had to bend down on that lava stone to do laundry we'd be wearing dirty clothes.  

We stopped to visit the owner of a wood carving shop.  He was very high in the police department and when he retired he opened the shop.  This is carved out of the roots of a tree.

 
 

Notice the masks.  We were told it was the law we had to wear them.  People don't put them on until they pass the police. This is Gabriella our local guide for the next three days.

No trip to Europe is complete unless you visit a cathedral a day.  

The woman in the balcony was welcoming us but we didn't understand her.  The red basket is a photo of a Sicilian elevator.

You can walk along the city wall, but it was wet due to the tides.

Nunzia wanted to treat us to this frozen drink that originated in the 16th century.  You wouldn't believe how many flavors you could try. She also said gelato was invented in Sicily.

I ordered Almond, which is the favorite of Sicilians.  Bill played it safe and ordered strawberry.  They were very good and hit the spot.

That was the end of Gabriella's tour so we scurried back to get our suits and go to the beach.

The hotel supplied loungers, umbrellas, and towels.  There were also some changing rooms.

I said the undertow was too strong so went back to the pool.

We're off to another adventure at 5 pm and we were told not to eat anything as we were having a traditional Sunday dinner which would last a long time. Details tomorrow.

Turtle Safely........