2015-06-27 Marina Di Cale Del Sole, Licata to Porto Empedocle, Sicily

This morning we have an early departure at 5.30am from Licata
This morning we have an early departure at 5.30 am from Licata
Starting our 3 hour journey early ensures less wind for us as it is forecasted to pick up mid morning coming from the west
Starting our 3 hour journey early ensures less wind for us as it is forecasted to pick up mid morning coming from the west
As we continue west, the coastline looks fertile although dried from the summer conditions
As we continue west, the coastline looks fertile however dried from the early hot summer conditions
We try to radio in to enter the San Leone port without response so we continue to the larger port nearby
We try to radio in to enter the San Leone port without response so we continue to the larger port nearby
Ric prepares all the fenders before entering into Porto Empedocle
Ric prepares all the fenders before entering into Porto Empedocle
As we approach the port the 2 chimney stacks and the tall buildings in the town come into view
As we approach the port the 2 chimney stacks and the tall buildings in the town come into view
As we enter the Porto Empedocle we see it is reasonable sized commercial port
Porto Empedocle is a reasonably sized commercial port
In our Rod Heikell bible it states that a few spaces are available for visiting yachts along a small pontoon in the harbour
In our Rod Heikell bible it states that a few spaces are available for visiting yachts along a small pontoon in the harbour
Our luck is good this morning as there is a space available on the pontoon and we were waved to come in by an attendant
Our luck is with us this morning as there is just one space available on the pontoon and nearing the area we were waved to come in and berth by an attendant
We are pleased with our position in the port which is close to all the facilities,shops and restaurants
We are pleased with our position in the port which is close to all the facilities, shops and restaurants
Once settled and the Tangaroa is securely tied up, we organise a taxi to take us to the famous archaeological site at Agrigento which is close to the town
Once settled and the Tangaroa is securely tied up, we organise a taxi to take us to the famous archaeological site at Agrigento, which is close to the town
We hire multilingual Sebastiano (not a lot of english, however luckily good german) for around 4 hours
We hire multilingual Sebastiano (not a lot of english, however luckily good german) to take us around for approximately 4 hours
As we drive to the site the first of the temples come into view perched high on a ridge
As we drive to the famous site, the first of the temples perched high on a ridge
comes into view 
Our first stop is Tempio Di Giunone (Temple of Juno or Hera) which dates back to 450BC
Our first stop is Tempio Di Giunone (Temple of Juno) which dates back to 450 BC
25 of the 34 columns are still standing including all of them on the north side with their architrave
25 of the 34 columns of this temple are still standing, including all of them on the north side with their architrave
Sebastiano dropped us off at the entrance to the 'Valley of the Temples' and will collect us at the other end of the site when we have visited all the site
Sebastiano dropped us off at the entrance to the ‘Valley of the Temples’ and will collect us at the other end of the site when we have seen as much as desired
Burial tombs cut into the ancient city wall
Burial tombs cut into the ancient city wall
The stunning view through the Valley of the Temples
The stunning view through the Valley of the Temples
The Valley of the Temples is very popular with tourists from all over the world
The Valley of the Temples is very popular with tourists from all over the world
Tempio Della Cordia (Temple of Concord)
Tempio Della Cordia (Temple of Concord)
The Temple of Concord with it's elegant lines is one of the perfect examples of Greek architecture in Sicily
The Temple of Concord with it’s elegant lines is one of the perfect examples of Greek architecture in Sicily
A massive bronze sculpture by sculptor Igor Mitoraj lies beneath the 5th Century BC Temple
A massive bronze sculpture by sculptor Igor Mitoraj lies beneath the 5th Century BC Temple
A photo of us together in front of the 5th Century BC Temple of Concord
A photo of us together in front of the Temple of Concord
This beautifully preserved temple built around 430BC was converted into a Christian church in the 4th Century AD which when constructed between the columns supported the frame and thus saved it from destruction
This beautifully preserved temple built around 430 BC was converted into a Christian church in the 4th Century AD which when constructed between the columns supported the frame and thus saved it from destruction
Villa Urea and the statue of it's original owner Alexander Hardcastle who in the early 1900's funded many excavations in the Valley of Temples
Villa Urea is situated in the middle of the Valley of Temples, with it’s fine building and beautiful garden and statue of it’s original owner Alexander Hardcastle.  In the early 1900’s he funded many successful excavations in the Valley of Temples
Ric in front Tempio De Ercole (Temple of Hercules) which is the oldest of the Agrigento's Doric temples built in the late 6th Century BC
Ric in front Tempio De Ercole (Temple of Hercules) which is the oldest of the Agrigento’s Doric temples which was built in the late 6th Century BC
The ancient site of Agrigento is quite substantial and is one of the largest and well preserved sites we have visited of late
The ancient site of Agrigento is quite substantial and is one of the largest and well preserved sites we have visited of late

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The remains of a statue from the Temple of the Olympian Zeus
The remains of a statue from the Temple of the Olympian Zeus

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The remains of the Temple of Castor & Pollux built in the 5th Century BC
The remains of the Temple of Castor & Pollux built in the 5th Century BC
Agrigento's 11th Century Cathedral with shoes left by locals to make a statement re the funding of renovations of the old church
Agrigento’s 11th Century Cathedral with shoes left by locals to make a statement re the funding of renovations of the old church
Walking through the old town we come across this artistic narrow stairway
Walking through the old town we come across this narrow stairway with it’s ‘street art’
Another fine church in the town
Another fine church in the town
Empedocle quiet in the afternoon during siesta time
Empedocle shops are closed and the town is quiet in the afternoon during siesta time
This tower was converted into a prison and now is a social and cultural centre
This tower was converted into a prison and now is a social and cultural centre
Sebastiano takes us for a drive to see the amazing white cliffs of Scala Dei Turchei
Sebastiano takes us for a drive nearby to see the amazing white limestone cliffs of Scala Dei Turchei

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Back to theTangaroa in Porto Empedocle
Back to the Tangaroa in Porto Empedocle after our interesting sightseeing expedition

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In the evening the streets become busy as the locals and visitors come out
In the evening the streets become busy as the locals and visitors come out
Dinner tonight for us at the Salmoriglio Restaurant
Dinner tonight for us at the Salmoriglio Restaurant
We try some of the delightful Sicilan reds with our delicious dinner
We try a delightful Sicilan red with our delicious dinner
A popular Italian singer from Milan, his very attractive pregnant wife and a few others were dining in the restaurant at a table nearby
A popular Italian singer from Milan, his very attractive pregnant wife and a few others were dining in the restaurant at a table nearby

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