The Temple of Concordia and Juno are walking distance from where we sip our Aperol spritz in the shade of spreading Fig and Pine trees. Such a relaxing setting in the cool, until the arugula arrives as a garnish on my appetizer . . . and the bees come buzzing.
The hotel menu suggests that ‘the Terrace is therefore a tribute to the Gods who want to give La Terrazza Degli Dei, (the place where we are dining), a show that is renewed every day and where it is possible to sublimate the food and wine flavors of the territory’.
I search out places like this in preference to confronting endless hours in the heat. Simple meals in pleasant locations with good company are what lasting memories are made of.
It’s difficult to imagine that one of the temples we’re viewing in the distance was built in the middle of the fifth century BC, and in period and in style belongs to the Archaic Doric period. It’s known as Temple of Hera Lacinia, or Juno Lacinia.
We’re about half an hour away from the ship near Agrigento in Sicily. It’s the end of summer, and the pink of oleanders, olive trees, pines and cactus add touches of colour to the parched ground. That smell of oleander in the summer sun is something that I associate always with Italy.
It’s good to be back! If only for a day.
Now, to face the chore of packing, and leaving the ship in Malta tomorrow morning, after three weeks on the cruise from Dublin.