Today we did catch the bus and spent an hour travelling around both Ortigia and Siracusa, eventually getting off at the markets. These were much busier and more interesting today.

We were the only ones on the bus for most of the first full loop. It obviously pays being early.

The coastline was stunning at one of the stops near the Monumento ai Caduti in Africa – a monument for the fallen Italians in Africa.

This next stop was near the Santuario Madonna Delle Lacrime / Our Lady of the Tears or Weeping Madonna which was inaugurated in 1994 by Pope John Paul II.

A very modern church you can see from most parts of Siracusa.

After another rooftop lunch, this time cooked for us by Edward, Kath and I headed out to catch the bus again in order to visit the archaeological park.

I think we’d bitten off more than we could chew. It was the hottest part of the day and there was lots of walking.

Plus little, make that no signage.

Significant restoration and additional work was underway we believe for some (future) live theatre.

We were both happy to find the bus timetable operating very well today and caught a bus back to our accommodation to put our feet up.

Mick and I wandered through the Jewish Quarter which was very interesting.

I want us to come here tomorrow evening for a puppet show. Siracusa is famous for its marionettes and just across from here there was a workshop where people were making the puppets and the backdrops.

We then watched this man try to park his car in the tiniest of spots along the street we were walking. He eventually gave up and did what most other drivers do here. Stop the car. Turn it off and just leave it for 2 minutes. We’ve been fascinated to find out everything will only take “two minutes”, regardless of how long it actually does take. 😂🤣

The two restaurants I’d shortlisted weren’t open tonight – Monday!! So, after walking Kath around the streets, we ended up dining just across the street from our accommodation in Via Roma. Edward and his new friend eventually found us as they too had searched out the ones I’d listed earlier.

Our table was on the street. Check out Mick’s encounter with a passing car.

This added to the thrill of dining as did this young man’s performance.

It actually got some of us dancing. 💃

Mick and his dance partner ended up toppling over onto the neighbouring table. Which was actually not that funny, but they took it graciously.

Once home, we again were serenaded by musicians.

We had enjoyed a very memorable day.

FOOTNOTE

Kath’s room keys were not with her when we got home, and we were unsure how she could get in. Our B&B is not staffed 24/7.

So, with a steady hand from Mick, I successfully climbed across to her balcony from ours, causing a few gasps from the people passing below. All my practice walking around and balancing on the edge of our boat at home had paid off.

Edward turned up a few minutes later with her keys. Kath had apparently given them to him to mind. 🙄