Head for the hills!

After that relaxing off-the-bus break in Mondello it was time to head for the hills for some panoramic views of Palermo below. Within 15 minutes we were at the mountain road which was blocked by a police car and two officers. They allowed us in as I guess they have to limit the number of vehicles on the narrow twisting roads at any given time. The road zig-zagged its way up Mount Pellegrino affording tantanlising glimpses of the outskirts of the city far below.

We stopped the bus and were able to get out to take these photos. Looking away from the city now...

Just a brief 10 minute stop as we had to move on as there was a shopping opportunity back down the hill!

I'm not sure what this massive building was at the top of the stairs-maybe a hotel? I looked at the number of stairs and decided that with only half an hour off the bus it would eat up too much time to satisfy my curiosity. I decided to stay where I was and my legs seconded that motion.

Most cruise ship tours will allow time for shopping at trinket stores, jewelry stores or ivory stores.  If it puts some money into the local economy I am fine with that but seldom buy anything other than a cold drink or a fridge magnet just as a reminder of where we've been.

There's a little cafe serving drinks outside but I like to sit and watch the world go by over a leisurely beer and there really isn't time.

On the way back to the bus I sit on a wall to have a cigarette and looking over my shoulder see where people put their trash...

Sad...

Back on the bus for the ride back down the mountain, taking photos through the bus window so don't expect good photography!

Rain clouds are gathering

A glimpse of the port and our white ship, the Emerald Princess, near the center of the photo

Castello Ulveggio perched on high

Getting lower

The coastal suburbs as we wind our way back down to sea level

We always take some kind of excursion in a foreign port and an excursion broken up into 3 parts like this one lets us see different parts in one tour of 4 hours-the city, the beach, the mountains. It beats just staying on the ship tied up in the heat at the dock. While Palermo is unlikely to ever be a favorite city of ours we are both glad we took the time and paid the money to see as much as we did.

It does have some beautiful historical buildings but seeing them partially from a moving bus window is not the best way to appreciate them.

Now we can go back on the ship and relax in comfort!

Palermo, Sicily

Next morning after leaving Civitavecchia we were all at sea and on our way to Palermo, Sicily. On our previous visit there a year before Carol didn't step off the ship. I did and found the streets to be very dirty and the car traffic dense and the drivers undecided as whether to stop or not for pedestrians crossing the street. This time we had an excursion planned that in part would take us away from the city-but more of that later.

As always I am awake and on deck early when there are few people around.

Photos like these are reason enough for me to sacrifice an hour or two of sleep

The view from our aft balcony

The woodwork was varnished before we got on board and I took this sign off a moment later as the railing was dry

Ahoy Sicily!

The movie screen is dark and silent, as it should be early in the morning

We take breakfast in Sabatini's, one of the Specialty restaurants. Only passengers staying in a Suite can eat here so there are few people at breakfast anytime we go. That suits us as we like quiet and the level of service that three waiters can give us. Italian Opera or Neapolitan songs waft gently from the speakers to help us ease into the day. They serve Italian food at night but in the morning the food is American dishes.

A yogurt and granola parfait is a good healthy way to start. Mimosas and cappuccino help too.

Fresh fruit plate

Carol's poached eggs (without Hollandaise sauce) on an toasted English muffin with asparagus

Here's a video of our approach to Palermo harbor

Our excursion today starts with a city tour. As we are on a bus it's hard for me to get good photos shooting through the windows, due to the reflections so I make do with shooting video only. Although the city has some beautiful historical buildings, including the largest Opera House in Italy the enduring memory for me is the people selling their furniture and household items in the street-something they do every Sunday.

Here's the video

At one point as you see we drove through the part of town that has the name brand shops selling luxury goods-no old sofas on the sidewalk there!

We drove on, leaving the city behind.

The second stage of our tour would be spent by the beach outside town in picturesque Mondello....

We would have an hour here and it was nice to get off the bus and relax. There were restrooms, bars and restaurants. None of us were prepared for swimming in that blue water, alas.

A beautiful warm day. I appreciated the shade trees.

There's a playground if you have your kids with you

Gelato and espresso served here

Later our tour bus will visit that mountain and give us great views of Palermo below

I sit on a wall under a shady tree

When our time is up we walk back to the waiting bus

Next up-Scenic beauty on the Mountain....