IF IT'S TUESDAY, IT MUST BE SICILY!

We docked this morning at Catania, Sicily. It is Sicily’s second largest city, and is the capital of the province with the same name. We've been so many places that it's hard to keep up with where we've been and where we're going!

Frank was waiting patiently for our tour to begin.

The city is located between the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, the largest active European volcano. It is possibly the second most active volcano on earth we were told. Little did we know when we docked and saw this skyline that we would be visiting the Cathedral today as we went on one of our infamous Panoramic bus tours. The Duomo of Catania is dedicated to St. Agatha (Agata), and houses her relics. Her festival is by far the most important civic event in the city, as well as one of the biggest and most elaborate Catholic saint's festivals in the entire world.

The interior was exquisite and the dome dominated the skyline.

The University was one of our stops. In 1434 the king, of Spain and Sicily, Alfonso of Aragon and Pope Eugene IV authorised the foundation of a university in Catania. Prior to this, the main education centres had been Palermo, Messina and Trapani but none of them could grant degrees; a right which could only be given by the Pope. It was not until 1444, however, that the first four faculties were established in Medicine. Philosophy, Law and Theology & Arts.

We drove by the Opera House but didn't stop. Our guide told us that the Teatro Massimo Bellini was named after the local-born composer Vincenzo Bellini and it was inaugurated on 31 May 1890 with a performance of the composer's masterwork, Norma. It seats 1,200.

We went to what is our equivalent of the farmer's market and we also went where they were preparing the meat which would be sold to restaurants. The vegetables were beautiful and I'm sure would be very tasty. Pity that I didn't bring my stove along!

Catania’s cuisine is among the best on the island. Being next to the sea, the freshest fish is brought on dry land every day. A visit to the fish market showed us the different varieties of fresh fish that are caught every day.

We had a great view of Mt. Etna from our ship but decided not to take the tour there as it took most of the day. A bus tour of the town was enough for us.

We returned in time for lunch (we never seem to miss a meal!) and opted for a hamburger rather than fish today. The ones that they serve are delicious. They even make their own buns right here on board the ship!!

As you can see, some of the crew enjoys the food as well as each other's company.

We had an uninvited little visitor during lunch so I decided to share my fries with him. I'm not too fond of bees, so I wouldn't want to make him angry!

After lunch Frank decided to play chess. The ship was fairly empty since a lot of people were still on tour so we had the place to ourselves. I acted like I knew how to play the game since there was no one to watch me faking it.

Before dinner we went to the show. Our entertainment tonight was an Oboe player which didn't sound like it would be very good, but she was not only lovely, she was also very talented. I wish I had taken her photograph. I did, however, get a photograph of one of the waiters whose name was Booz-E because he would go through the showroom taking orders for drinks and saying boozy, boozy and then laughing with a very deep laugh. He was most entertaining and a real hoot. He really kept things livened up. and sold more drinks than all the other waiters put together.

The Durante's were the only ones besides us who showed up at the table for dinner tonight. She has exquisite clothes and also has a collection of Judith Leiber handbags. The one she was carrying tonight was a soccer ball. She has one that goes with each of her evening gowns and they are unbelieveably beautiful.

If you are not familiar with this line, each Judith Leiber creation is a timeless and elegant evening bag which is embellished with hand applied Swarovski crystals.

Ms. Leiber was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary where she studied the craft of making handbags during WW II. She immigrated to the US with her husband in 1947 and now her company is celebrating 46 years of successful business.

Cathy even has a special suitcase to hold all of her precious handbags such as this one.

We had a wonderful meal of lamb chops that were cooked to perfection

and we finished our meal with this delicious chocolate pie for dessert.

The ship was starting to really rock and roll, so we decided that it was time to head for bed and take our seasick pills. I had to get up once during the night and take another pill, but after that I slept like a baby.

XOXO, Pcasso