Sicily

 It seems like our travel this year is involving islands.  First, Tasmania, and now Sicily.  While we have been to Italy several times we have never made it to this lovely island.  American has a direct flight to Rome and then it’s just a short hop over to Palermo which is the first stop on our trip. We arrived mid-day which gave us time to have our first pasta of the trip at a cute little restaurant very close to our hotel, Grand Hotel et des Palmes .  The restaurant was definitely a family run operation with family members taking turns serving the patrons while the others enjoyed their lunch.  David is easing in slowly by having a hamburger for his first meal while I endulged with pasta with artichokes and mushrooms.  I think it’s impossible to have a bad meal here. We returned to our hotel for a shower and nap to help us ease into our new time zone which is 7 hours ahead of home.  The hotel is lovely with large, modern rooms.  For example,...