Our BnB offers a communal breakfast so we chatted with couples from the island of Guernsey and San Francisco. Very friendly and informative.
We went to meet our guide for a town tour and were surprised and somewhat dismayed it wasn’t a walking tour at all but rather a smallish motorized rickshaw (the online booking process made no mention of this). Plus, Tony spoke virtually no English and relied on speaking Italian into his phone which then emerged in Google translate English from a mounted speaker. We did learn a few facts and rattled around a much wider area than might have been covered on foot but otherwise it was a revisit to the primary monuments we had seen yesterday.
There are some spectacular sights regardless of how one comes upon them starting with the Cattedrale Metropolitana della Nativita di Maria.
It’s also interesting how incredibly detailed carving in stone can be despite being created with rudimentary tools nearly 1,000 years ago .
Our loop included a view of the city of Syracuse on the mainland to the north.
It ended at the temple of Apollo, a sixth century BC edifice that over the centuries became a Byzantine church, Arab mosque, Norman church and Spanish military barracks.
By luck there was an open air market next door that provided entertainment and an appreciation that non tourists need to purchase daily staples. The displays were very impressive.
Following another hearty lunch we tried to walk off a few calories and fortuitously stumbled across the Archimedes museum. One may be aware of his major principles but his body of work is truly staggering.
Despite being born in Syracuse in the 2nd century BC, Archimedes is considered Greek as they controlled the city state at that time. His mathematical, engineering and celestial concepts including proofs paved the way for future scientific discoveries (Da Vinci built on many ideas and theories). The number of his inventions are too numerous to list here but the museum laid them out in an informative and interesting pattern. Sadly photos were not permitted other than that of the Syrakosia ship.
At the time this was the largest ship ever conceived/built. It could carry up to four tons of cargo and 1,924 passengers. A garden, heated swimming pool, library, gymnasium, chambers and small temple were all included. It was both a war ship and transport vessel that reflected a small town. And because of Archimede’s knowledge of buoyancy, it was a master craft in efficiency.
Next it was off to the port to meet Gaetano for our two hour cruise through the harbour then out around the peninsula and up the coast to see the rock formations and caves.
Of course first stop was just offshore to leap into the Ionian Sea for a refreshing dip.
Around the point and up the coast are numerous caves, one sufficiently large enough to accommodate the boat (we had very calm seas and little wind).
Some of the rock formations looked strangely familiar. Anyone see a bear or gorilla or ???
And of course the requisite tourist shots.
Gaetano was even foolish kind enough to let each of us briefly be captain of the boat.
The cruise was lots of fun as Gaetano kept us informed, fed and entertained.
After mooring and a brief rest it was back out to explore some more plus another meal!.
The day ended with a lovely glass of wine at a beautiful outdoor bar.
Tomorrow it’s off west to Ragusa and more exploring.
