10th Day - Term Segesta

Today I treated myself to a very relaxed start to the day. The weather is warm but cloudy... a great opportunity to continue my current embroidery:

Because this is going to be something beautiful for my little granddaughter, Ida - but don't tell anyone :-)

Eventually, the wooden chairs without cushions became a bit too hard for me, and I felt like going on a little outing. Castellammare is not far away, and maybe I could take a stroll through the town and then look for a nice beach? So, I set off and parked on the outskirts of the town. After many 100m downhill, I arrived in the pedestrian zone.

Hmm... mercoledi chiuso... stood at all the shops... what bad luck. But a few years ago, we also had many shops that were closed on Wednesdays.

On the way back, I passed the church again, which I already knew from the way there. What a crowd... and everyone so solemnly dressed... I had the feeling that something was not right here. Could it be that November 1st is also a public holiday in Catholic Sicily? I had to google that later... (which is, of course, true).

I returned via a wonderful little road.

But wait! Yesterday, I had an idea to explore. On a very detailed map of the area, I saw that there is a back way from Castellammare to the terme in Segesta. I was curious about the terme anyway... was it a normal swimming pool, maybe with thermal water? Or something else? At least it is signposted at the highway exit... although that is not always significant...

Through a small road that led over a picturesque ridge, accompanied by a few raindrops, I finally arrived at the terme. It is located directly in front of a large rock, and I was even more curious. A small and steep access road led to the parking lot.

Unfortunately, the sign at the entrance said that it is only open until 1 pm and then again from 4:30 pm. And it was 12:45 pm... hmm, not my lucky day today.

But I still wanted to see it for myself. Besides, the opening hours on public holidays could be different.

So, I bravely went in.

It is very small and manageable. And there were only a few people there.

And the lady at the entrance gave very friendly information. It is only 20 minutes away from Balestrate... and my afternoon and evening program was decided.

So today, I will bathe in 37 degrees warm thermal water and, if possible, enjoy a massage or mud pack. In addition to the regular swimming pool, there are also caves fed by the hot river. That's something! 

And the sulfurous water is good for everything, from arthritis to skin diseases. It can only do good! And it doesn't smell as strong as expected :-)

I am very excited and will report back tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the sky is clear again, and I am currently taking a lunch break in my courtyard. 

By the way, it's not a problem that the beach didn't work out, I forgot the towels in the accommodation anyway, as I noticed when I returned home :-)

Best regards from Sicily and see you tomorrow!