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!