Day 11, Agrigento

Bus dropped us off at the far eastern end so that we don't have to backtrack.
This is Temple of Hera, built around 5th century BC.

Temple of Hera. The woman in black was our local guide, Giovanni.

Everyone was absorbed by the story Giovanni was telling.

Along this walkway we could see the Temple of Concord ahead on the right.

Still at Temple of Hera. The city in the right background is Agrigento.

From Temple of Hear one could see Mediterranean Sea toward south-west.

cactuses along the walk way.

These plant looked like giant asparagus (Agave?)

Many almond trees along the walk way.

Temple of Concord, the best preserved temple on this ridge, built around 430 BC

See the (dividing walls and columns for) rooms inside the temple?
Giovanni said there are only two other Doric temples as well preserved as Temple of Concord,
one is Parthenon of Athens, and the other is in Paestum in southern Italy.
Mei-Ching asked why the temple at Segesta is not counted as one of the best preserved,
Giovanni said because the temple at Segesta only has columns and a roof, it does not have rooms inside,
therefore does not count as a Doric temple.
( Not certain if this definition of a "Doric temple" is widely adopted. )

Temple of Hercules, or whatever remains of it, dating from 6 BC.

An ancient tree near the Temple of Zeus.

The crumbled remains of Temple of Zeus. It was so huge in scale that it would
have been the largest Doric temple ever built had it been completed.

We used a 22-seater bus today because only 21 persons signed up for the excursion.

These flowers look similarly to flowers in Taiwan.

Lunch at a restaurant next to the Valley of the Temples archeological site.

Our appetizers, served family style.

Sicilian pizza made on the premise. They were piping hot and very good!

We did not take a picture of our pasta, but this was our second course, turkey.

Dessert was chilled fruits in syrup.

A band came to play. They were hired by the group next to our table,
but they entertained the whole lunch crowd.
Vincent sang "Santa Lucia" in Italian with the band.