22 September Salt

This morning we drive along the shores of the lagoon to catch a boat out to the island of Mozia, once a heavily-fortified Carthaginian city. Today it is windswept ruins and a museum. In the museum Lyn insisted I pose next to the Greek statue found here. (It was probably looted by the Carthaginians when they captured either Acragus or Selinus. Anyway, what goes around comes around, and Mozia was destroyed by the Greeks.

We were called outside because a local folk group had chosen this Sunday to dance the tarantella. It was wonderful. 

All around us were the salt pans which made this region important in the past and picturesque now. 

In the local museum we learned a lot about salt and I realised I'd left my hat back on the boat.

We stopped back in Marsala for lunch at a trattoria just inside the historic gate. We ate cous cous (the local dish). 

Next stop was the museum at the remains of Carthaginian Lilybaeum. This is mainly known for the remains of both a Roman and a Carthaginian boat. These exhibits proved that what remains of a wooden boat after a couple of thousand years is not very inspiring. 

Afterwards we visited the westernmost point of Sicily. In the distance were the Aegates Islands where Rome finally shattered Carthaginian naval power.

Aperitivo was, of course, marsala and biscotti in the historic centre.

Dinner was in a huge function centre which was hosting two enormously expensive weddings while serving us fish dishes. We were both more interested in the weddings than the fish.