Ahhhh...Sicily!

Our last day in Scopello!
We are in no hurry for anything as we chat with Marisin over another wonderful breakfast. I look forward to American coffee (Bob?) and wonder if I will miss the strong brew here?
Our only mission today is to trial run airport and car return. We refuse to have any hassle factor possibilities at 4:30am in the morning.
By noon, our mission is accomplished and we stop in Castelamare finding most places closed up. Beautiful sunshine and coastline but do you think any restaurant has lunch? We still don't "get it"! But remember..everything is easy!
Head back to Scopello and have a lovely last lunch in courtyard followed by cappicinno and canoli at corner gelato place.
Packing it up is no fun, but we look forward to getting home!
Ciao!

Ahhhh...Sicily!

Picnic at the Seaside

Sunday started slowly. I didn't feel like getting up and facing a lot of people this morning for breakfast so stayed in bed until 10:30! When we finally got out I had coffee at a corner cafe along with a delicious little canoli pastry. The tiny town of Scopello was bustling with activity today--had to do with it being palm Sunday according to our hostess. Surprisingly a couple of shops that had not previously been open were today, so we did a bit of browsing. I fell in love with a brightly colored hand-made necklace. You're bound to notice if I ever wear it because it's so unlike anything you've ever seen on me!

It was after noon before we headed to the nature preserve just down the road. Quite a few people there judging from cars in the parking lot but most must have arrived earlier in the day because we didn't see that many as we walked along a well maintained trail to a picnic spot overlooking the sea. The sun was bright and the breeze simply delicious as we made our way to the beach. I collected a few more pebbles (have I mentioned how heavy my suitcase is getting?) and watched the waves come in. The water was cold but not too cold to discourage a little girl and boy from stripping to their underwear as they played at the shore.

Back to town and another lemon gelato. So far that's the only flavor I've tried because I like it so much. Tomorrow I'm determined to try strawberry! A little siesta was in order before dinner.................

Would you believe it took until this late in our trip before a fish with eyes showed up on my plate! The one thing I told Jan I would not eat! Our sweet hostess must have seen the look in my eyes because she asked if I'd like her to take it back to the kitchen to have cleaned. Jan and I both took her up on that offer! The sea bass was ok but think I'll have pizza tomorrow night!

Palm Sunday in Scopello

Breakfast on my own this morning as Dawn sleeps late. Fascinating to hear Marisin tell her story and being here 29 years. I am happy for her success; it has not always been the case. The town is alive with energy! I follow a small crowd through the archway as they gather for a olive branch blessing by the local priest. I felt Marisin's presence beside me and loved being here. We shopped and wandered through tiny Scopello, both of us proud of our new scarves.
Short drive to Sicily's first nature reserve, Zingaro, that covers over 4,000 acres.
Www.riservazingaro.it
It follows the coastline of the sea; sheer cliffs and rocky headlands. It is a spectacular unspoilt view of Sicily! We picniced with bread and cheese that we had purchased yesterday at a small bakery. The sunshine and views made us both feel so grateful!
Returning to Scopello's piazza, we sat next to our bed and breakfast people watching and eating gelato. What a beautiful Day!
Dinner tonight is here at Tranchina...

Is everyone as sick as I am of seeing the old kipling bag?

Just people watching.......

Erice

So after a brief no blog time ( due to a detailed blog getting erased), I will try to capture our outing to Erice today.
Breakfast here at Pensione Tranchina was typical. With route assistance from Marisin, we followed our new bff's, Bill & Liz from Virginia up winding roads to Erice. This medeival town is 750m above the sea overlooking the city of Trapani. Parking outside the walls, we walked through cobblestone alleyways with ceramic and knick-knack shops. Lunch was a bust, a rice ball and slice of pizza. Views were amazing!
Although we are not disappointed with this daytrip, we find that western Sicily has less to offer visitors than the more developed eastern area. Towns are deserted in the afternoon. The beautiful landscape is void of human activity.

Wanted to mention that dinner last night here at Tranchina was interesting. Pasta with eggplant and 3 cheeses, stuffed sardines, salad and an orange for digestion and dessert. Bottle of local wine complemented our wonderful meal served by Marisin and her husband. Bedtime brought mesquitos from somewhere but we are armed with a repellant in our room now.