A late report on an August dawn cruise.

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But a lot of industry along the coast.

 

 

And a lovely hilltop village.

 

Now we are in Syracuse and our guide buys tickets for Neapolis Park. An incredible archeological site. But once again a lot of cheap junk at the entrance.

 

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As you walk in on your right is an ancient quarry -Latomie Del Paradiso.

 

On the left all that remains of the biggest sacrificial altar ever -the Altar of Hiero where it is said 450 bulls could be sacrificed at the same time.

 

We now walked down into the quarry.

 

Magnificent.

 

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At the bottom is a garden with many fruit trees and berries.

 

 

 

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This cave has good acoustics. It is said prisoners were shut in here and guards up top could hear everything that was said. Often led to an unhappy ending for prisoners. We then started walking towards the Greek Theatre.

 

At the entry point for the Greek theatre a contented cat an an Ad for a police light show at night.

 

 

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Behind the Greek Theatre are caves which are thought to have been used as tombs.

 

The theatre is one of the largest Greek theatres and is used still as a theatre.

 

Good views of modern syracusa and on the day the MSC Splendida which was preparing to leave.

 

We now drove down to the modern Syracuse.

 

The bus dropped us off near the MSC ship.

 

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Now what would a bus from the Factory outlets be doing here.

 

Now on foot.

 

and there she goes.

 

About to cross over to the island of Ortigia which is the old city.

 

Ruins everywhere.

 

And up a narrow street.

 

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The street widens into the Piazza Duomo. The Cathedral is here and surrounded by lovely buildings and tourist restaurants.

 

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I was looking at this building-

 

when I noticed a queue down the street so I went to investigate. It was a hole in the wall cannoli joint -Cannoli Del Re. And the queue was right it was delicious. So here am I about to devour a pistachio

cannoli.

 

The woman serving asked if I was English and I said no Australian. She replied I have a lot of family in Australia to which I said Griffith. Indeed that's where they were. Having worked in Griffith it has a large Italian population and most are Sicilian so it was an educated guess. We had free time now so I walked around a rather large block.

 

And this sign meant nothing.

 

 

 

 

 

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A hospice with it's Saint.

 

And for the tourists.

 

I stopped at this building which turned out to be the Town Hall. An older policeman walked by who had good English and told me I should go inside so I did.

 

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The policeman was right.

 

But the real treasure was out the back.

 

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Now it was time to walk back to the bus. some interesting sights.

 

And an election coming up.

 

It was getting dark. I was on the right side of the bus so basically saw heavy industry all the way.

 

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So to dinner and the day's menu.

 

We both had our entree from that menu. Rojaan the beef tataki and I the curried cauliflower. I followed up again with the tomato soup.

 

All very nice. For mains Mrsdrron had the lamb cutlets and I a steak cooked as I wanted.

 

 

And we finished with a lemon meringue tart.

 

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Next is Malta. Has been on my bucket list for some time. Great sailing in with the morning sun.

 

 

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Finally approaching our dock.

 

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Really good views from our suite.

 

And a famous gun

 

A Gozo ferry returns.

 

A large neighbour has arrived. We now set off in the bus to the town.

 

 

his is where we were dropped off. Those are for grain storage.

 

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We begin our walk to the walls of the city.

 

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They were preparing for a food festival. Beers seemed well represented.

 

And we reach the walls. sadly the gate has gone.

 

But they do have an elevator to take you down or up a level.

 

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They have built a new Parliament building. I don't think it fits wonderfully well into it's surrounds but an impressive structure. First the building opposite.

 

I wonder though if the politicians use the airline with an office opposite the Parliament.

 

 

It truly is an amazing place no matter which way you look.

 

 

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An interesting use for old cannon

 

And into the garden full of memorials but where the war room was in WW2.

 

And Winston and the stairs to the war room.

 

And some great views.

 

 

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Napoleon was here.

 

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Some interesting things in these narrow streets. next visit I might try a couple of pies.

 

We were now headed to the museum. We had to wait a few minutes in the book shop as our tickets were sorted. Seems like the knights were sometimes naughty little boys.

 

Now for the museum and the ancient history of Malta.

 

 

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Outside and some light relief.

 

 

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And now to the highlight of the day St. Johns Co-Cathedral. Spectacular but a bit OTT.