The last morning of riding was quite nice - we got started on the late side, because we had a variety of bike mechanical issues, and Roberta showed up at our agriturismo and spent awhile helping us sort them out. Then we got underway, starting off with a bit more climbing than we'd counted on, up over the last ridge from which we'd descend to Monreale. But the views were nice, the weather cooperated, there wasn't too much mud, and really we had nothing to complain about except the scary one-car-wide tunnels. We arrived in Monreale in time to return the bikes, say our farewells to Roberta, and have a late lunch.
pomegranate tree in the agriturismo courtyard |
looking into the courtyard from the tunnel of internet |
looking out the back of the agriturismo |
behind the agriturismo in the morning |
fields behind the agriturismo |
painted rocking tractor, in one of the agriturismo's common rooms |
clay lamp, in one of the agriturismo's common rooms |
we were promised no climbing today, but we do have to go up one hill before we start descending; Sarah, Tom, and Bill are underway |
a funny-looking rock, visible near the top of the hill |
Sarah, climbing |
view from the top of the hill |
that funny rock again, with a valley below it |
after we crest the hill, the city of Piana degli Albanesi appears |
Piana degli Albanesi in its valley |
Piana degli Albanesi |
Piana degli Albanesi behind its lake |
COWS! |
Bill, David, and Sarah in front of Piana degli Albanesi's lake |
the riders, with bicycles |
me, in front of Piana degli Albanesi |
Scott and Bill, preparing to get underway again |
last view of the lake |
always carry a tire swing for protection against hexagons |
valley, behind a chain link fence warning you not to go into the valley |
valley road |
we round a bend and get our first view of Monreale |
The valley containing Monreale stretches to the north and also contains Palermo, so you can see the outskirts of Palermo off to the right in this picture |
mountain across from us |
buildings in the valley we're riding along |
looking back up the mountain we just came down - we took our photos of the valley from that road up there |
the next portion of our ride featured tunnels |
we learned that one-lane tunnels with no lights are scary - if you ever do this tour, bring headlights (we did, and we were very glad) |
this tunnel is not that scary |
elevated highway over the valley |
stone-bordered window |
a water park! (we did not visit the water park at this time) |
signs point the way to Monreale |
After lunch, we toured the Cattedrale di Monreale, known largely because it was built in somewhat of a hurry by cathedral standards (started in 1172, finished in 1267), and thus is a supposed to be an unusually good representative of Sicily's Arab-Norman architecture. Anyway, it had a duomo with a great view of Palermo and the surrounding areas, so we spent some time up there, then met our taxi back to Palermo. In Palermo, we were returning to the same hotel we'd been in the first night. We wandered around a bit (i finally made it to a bookstore) before heading to dinner at a place recommended by the internet. An important last gelato stop on the way back to the hotel ended our last full day in Sicily.
we leave our bikes in this plaza for Roberta to collect |
tower of the Cattedrale di Monreale |
Dave in front of the cathedral |
statue in front of cathedral, presented without comment |
walls and arches inside the cathedral |
ceiling of the cathedral |
top of a column |
floor mosaic in the cathedral |
geometric wall tiles |
metal doors with a bunch of (i think) biblical scenes |
Hey, knowledgeable people, what's happening here? The second line has to be Cain and Abel, right? But since when does the story of Cain and Abel involve bears? If those are even bears? |
They closed the metal bible doors while we were standing there. Here's the interior view with the doors closed |
bottom of a marble column |
we then climbed to the top of the duomo, as one does |
courtyard view from a landing |
panorama from the top of the duomo |
store room passed while climbing |
window down to that courtyard |
roof we passed partway up |
roof tiles |
courtyard |
arches across the courtyard |
arches across the courtyard |
tile floor of the corridor as we climb |
window view as we climb |
looking down at the cathedral's organ |
geometric floor pattern |
looking in at art on the cathedral's arches |
geometric patterns on the outside of the cathedral |
view towards Palermo |
SO MANY TILE ROOFS |
...and one dizzying wavy lines roof |
and a very dirty round tile roof leading up to the observation deck |
me, up on the duomo |
Palermo again |
a hillside clocktower |
more tiles, on the railing up to the observation deck |
the small observation deck in the middle of the duomo's top level afforded nice views of the surrounding countryside, but was a little nervewracking to stand in, even for those not overly afraid of hights |
the rest of the cathedral, including a not-open-to-the-public connecting walkway, from the observation deck |
looking through the open top of the building across the courtyard |
one last view of roofs and mountains from the observation deck |
huh, i asked, why do those guys have 20m of rope on their balcony |
Scott, looking at the view |
Bill, arriving on the lower roof |
huh, now those guys are rigging up a pulley. what's up with that? |
a mysterious box! they have used their pulley to bring a mysterious box upstairs! |
view of the organ on the way down from the roof |
there is a wedding happening in the cathedral |
we had a few minutes before meeting our cab, so i wandered around town a little |
street on the Palermo-ward side of town - you can see that Monreale really is the edge of the mountains |
view towards Palermo, looking green because of the nearby parks |
building in Monreale with graffiti and a palm tree |