Sicily 2021 #12 - Success At The Valle Dei Templi!

We have been tracking the weather forecast for days and it has looked sucky. As I noted in the account of our move from Siracusa to Agrigento on Sunday, we were blessed by good weather until the moment we finally got into our hotel, when the storm blew in and hit. We were quite concerned that our day of visiting the Valle Dei Templi was going to be washed out. Wife was concerned that even if it wasn't raining the ground would be so muddy that our shoes (we only bring one pair) would be ruined.

But when we woke up, the sky was pure blue, not a cloud in it. We decided to get to the park as soon as we good. We ate quickly and using our trusty GPS to navigate us to the incorrect entrance did our (now normal, daily) wandering around through maze like narrow streets until we found the correct entrance. Then on to our day.

The Valle Dei Templi (Valley of the Temples) is one of the best preserved Greater Greet Ancient World (Magna Graecia) temple complexes. I was looking forward to it as an ideal photo-op. But without a good blue sky, it was going to be very difficult. So you can imagine, especially after believing we were going to be rained out, I was very pumped. As it turned out, the shooting was every bit as good as I hoped.

Before we start on the pictures, I expect everyone to do their homework on the standard Greek column capitals! Doric, Ionian, Corinthian. Which are these?

Is there anything better for photographic studies that temple columns? These temples date from the 500-400 BCE period, the height of Magna Graecia influence pre-Carthage and pre-Rome.

Study of a Temple

A Temple and a Master Commune

The Master Approaches

Silently they share their wisdom with each other

And go back on their separate paths

Study of Columns by themselves

Reflections

de-I looks at the Eye of Sauron while the Eye of Sauron looks at de-I

Greatest Of All Time

Or just a goat

Reliving History

We stand on the walls that defending the ancient city for there was always danger to come from the sea in those days

But as of old, we spot the enemy! Those who will come and plunder.

The Cruise Shipeans

Other Stuff

Gastronomic Interlude

From the prior day, incredible roasted whole fish and grilled vegetables

Contemplaions

The Master senses a disturbance in the Force

Who would disturb my contemplation?

Ah it is only my beloved Acolyte (and narrow, steep, crazy Euro road driver).

And now...

SIGNS OF THE WORLD

Everything has its place...

Except toilets which evidently are everywhere

If you are vaccinated and have the Green Card, you can evacuate here.

Think I am kidding? Look vaccinated people get to escape. Non-vaccinated have to stay and fight the fire. Europe is getting tough.