Jim and I decided to get out of Palermo and away from the weekend noise of boom boxes, cars and scooters keeping us up until all hours of the night. I’ll never understand the need to ride through the streets in the middle of the night with your radio blaring loud enough to wake the dead!

We left Saturday morning and will return Monday when it’s a little quieter in Palermo. Right now we are in Santa Flavia which was a 15 minute train ride to the sea! We found a lovely flat overlooking the water and surrounded by the most beautiful vegetation ever. Bougainvillea are all over the grounds along with Jasmine and some gorgeous flower I’ve never seen but which has the most beautiful aroma I have ever smelled! I wish I could take it home!

We got to the train station and the owner of the place, Wanda, picked us up, showed us the flat and the grounds then took us to the grocery store to pick up some food. We are the only ones here this weekend so there is no breakfast – fine by us, cereal does the trick.

The owners’ home, one of the several buildings on the 10+ acres of property. Wanda’s husband told us he had lived in the house for 69 years!

Road to the apartment – like the old roads you see in old movies filmed in the countryside.

Entrance to our apartment and the circular stairs to the roof.

View from our balcony towards the port of Porticello

Rotating right. Check out the water – thought we might be in the Caribbean.

And the view to the South from up on the roof. Bocce ball court in the center foreground! 

After that Jim and I walked to a restaurant which was a walk out of the driveway and down the road about 15 minutes and had a late lunch. It was nice to sit down and relax through our meal. Wasn’t going to have dessert but they had Tiramisu which I have grown to like. However it was not your normal dessert but more like a light custard type so I thought no, I don’t really want that. The owner a woman, came over and said it was a cream but very light and very good. So I said ok, I’ll try it.  It was really delicious and Jim and I both enjoyed it. When we got the bill, the waiter said the dessert was on the owner! I couldn’t believe it. How sweet!

Antipasti at the All’Ancora Ristorante – part of our lunch Saturday.

Secondi – after the antipasti and pasta — fried fish

Headed back to our flat and took some photos in the garden area which is just beautiful and peaceful! Then took a walk down to the beach where a few folks were lying in the sun or swimming. We sat on the balcony surrounded by Bougainvillea and all sorts of flowers and plants after the walk up the hill from the beach. It’s really pretty here and the landscape is just beautiful. Lemon and orange trees, tons of cactus (I just can’t seem to get away from them) and beautiful flowers, some of which I’ve never seen but which have the most fragrant aroma I’ve ever smelled! Sitting here looking out at the sea surrounded by the beauty which only God can create, sure makes you think about life and how blessed we are! We needed a peaceful weekend and we found it so we are just going to relish every minute of it while we have the opportunity.

Part of the yard and garden that surrounds the structures here.

Another unusual flower, at least for me. I still don’t know its name, nor did Wanda.

Beautiful flower, and the aroma was wonderful, perhaps the basis of French perfume

And the beach. A short walk down the hill and we were there.

After a very light supper — one peach I think — there was the evening and the peaceful sea.

Evening, and the lights across at Porticello

On Sunday we took a walk into the town which was about 20 minutes or so from here and we walked for about an hour and came home. Sat out in the garden area enjoying the view and peacefulness while reading.

The other half of the road into our apartment compound. Pretty neat.

Horses on another property along the road. Wouldn’t think this was horse country.

Jasmine and other flowers with pleasant aromas lined the streets in Santa Flavia and Porticello.

View from my chair while relaxing after our morning walk.

After a while we decided to walk back to the same restaurant we visited Saturday since it is the only one right in this area. I was in the mood for a salad and a pizza. Didn’t want pasta today! We got there and the waiter said they don’t serve pizza until 8pm! So we ordered a side salad with a steak and french fries. While waiting for our meal and enjoying the conversations going on around us, the waiter brought out lasagna for us. I said oh, we didn’t order that. The waiter responded that this is on the house because you are my friend! I didn’t know what to say but thank you seemed to work. I was so touched by this gesture. The piece they gave us would have been enough for my lunch and I wasn’t sure how I was going to eat what I ordered. Somehow I did but boy was I stuffed! The walk back to the apartment was a big help, felt a little better when we got home.

This added to our sense of relaxation – right next to our building.

We spent the rest of the day looking out at the sea and walking more of the grounds here. We will go back to Palermo tomorrow morning and find time to figure out where we want to go next weekend! This was a welcome break and it was fun to take a side trip to another section of Sicily. I can understand why folks at home love living on or very near the water. It really is nice and very peaceful!