La Bella 2017 : Day 2 Terrasini Palermo

I can see clearly now the rain has gone.....it's not about the bike!

Big French group in the hotel for the week, Karine invited us to visit her home town in Amiens 100klm north of Paris. Good English and very knowledgeable about ANZAC's and the part we played in WWII.

Viva La France Karine

Another tough day in the Sun

We spend the day firstly assembling our bikes, mingling with fellow travellers. Not good news for Bill & Jill from Wyoming, their bags and bikes have not arrived, and they are experiencing difficulty in establishing exactly where they are. I think what happened American airlines delivered them to Rome, but you are required to collect at Rome and re-book onto the forwarding trip to Palermo.

We also were informed when we purchased the tickets that our baggage would be transported all the way, it was only at the airport check-in that they mentioned we will have to collect our luggage in Rome.

Ross stayed local by the hotel, the four Amici's decided to explore the local area, slowly navigating the catacomb like streets in Terrasini, reminding ourselves to stay on the right and look to the left. Beautiful narrow winding terraces, shops etc. Stop in the Piazza got to have an Italian ice cream.

The backdrop of mountains (approx 1000 mtrs) on one side and sea on the other is breath taking.

Peter decides to work his way back to the hotel. We continue riding and pass a cove with sheer drops into the sea and see a pathway down to the water, Bring our bikes as close as possible whilst negotiating very tricky walkways in cleats is no mean feet. We can't take our shoes off as the terrain is very sharp and painful.

We swam out to the rock, Belissimo

The water crystal clear and too inviting not to take a dip. Belissimo, wonderful swim out to rocky outcrop, noticeably saltier is the Meditteranean.

Skinny dipping..not much fish life, only saw three minnows...

Back on the bike pass many villas, homes all with big gates, walls, cameras and guard dogs, Cannot help but think Mafiosi.....still very beautiful with the narrow lanes rugged paddocks and local pace of life.

A local drink stop overlooking the sea, holiday season only just beginning so very relaxed pace. Invite the owner to join us, he declines the offer of beer but more than happy to share stories with us.

Make our way home, pick up Ross and Peter and head back into the Piazza for and ice cream, or was it a beer, no an ice cream, no I think it was a beer...can't remember now anyway it was nice.

Piazza Wedding

Big Italian church at the top of the Piazza and a big Italian wedding to go with it, look Garry that looks like Don Corleone or is it Sam Castellano, no it's Don Rosario Sanelli, the Jedi Master.

Have to be back for the 6.00 pm meeting for a briefing and introduction to the group, Oh yea that's why we are here I almost forgot. Very informative and received our riders top and booklets. etc. Wilbert and the team have it all covered.