Sicily, a land of crazy drivers

We arrived early and docked just before one of the big cruise ships pulled in. 

I checked; 3949 passengers! 😳

And we all had to use the same, one person wide, check point! So glad they separated Saga from that ship, at least transit took five minutes instead of ...... dread to think.

May I start out by saying English roads are better? There are less pot holes, more order and, well, less stupidity..... honest!

By the end of the trip I'd had enough and even wearing a collar, my neck was a mess.

So, what did I think of Palermo? Um..... give me time to think on that will you. 

The buildings are interesting, architecturally and having part of it pedestrianized is nice, but the scooters go everywhere and at speed.

The roads amaze me with undertaking, overtaking, driving on the pavements, weaving..... chaos to an outsider but one would presume, normal for them.

Our first stop was up a windy, narrow road suited more to goats and carts. I'd forgotten the 'thrill' of the bus taking a corner and everything in front of the wheels hanging over the edge!

Four coaches all arrived together successfully blocking the road to all but the most intrepid scooter rider.

We didn't stay long which was fortunate as the local bus was stuck waiting for us to clear the road. 

Next, we headed back down and into the town. Traffic was on a par with London but honestly, a lot more stupid. 

We weaved past many a building and then out to the nearest beach which would be heaving in summer.

How I wished we had more time. I scooted down to the water's edge and paddled. The water was cold but as you can see, beautifully clear, and yes, the sun shone giving us another lovely day.
Time to return to town and the nightmare traffic began as it was 3.30pm and heading towards end of day. 

Students on e-scooters, usually two up, streaked through traffic who's kamikaze attitude created two very near misses and several close ones. My hat off to the driver. 

We stopped by the famous opera house and I joined other pedestrians ....in the middle of the road. Quiet round here.

Would I come back?

No.

Too big, too busy and far too many pick pockets and bag snatches. You're warned not to ask too many questions about anything incase they think you're a Mafia spy,  not to take photographs of places if guards with guns are guarding them, not to talk about politics or religion.

Mm..... is this a holiday or is this attempting to get pick up or picked off?