A Day at the Beach

We decided that we would just go to the beach here in Trapani rather than take a boat to an island. It just seems like it will be more relaxing and we are more prone at this point to enjoy days without transportation involved. This means we sleep in this morning and just relax. We still have leftovers from Agrigento and finish them off for breakfast.

Beautiful Waterfront

Then it is out the door and head for the beach. The one we choose to check out is in a different direction than we have explored so we walk down streets previously unexplored. We emerge by the sea and walk along the water front until we see a way down to the beach. We will swim in the Mediterranean Sea today. The beach itself is a mix of sand and fine gravel. Going in the water, you have to walk around some rocky areas but since it is crystal clear, this is not hard to do. We go out a little beyond where the waves are breaking and we can still stand up. We venture further still and are probably 75 to 100 feet from shore and the water is up to our chest. There are more waves than we expected but they are not overpowering and we have a lot of fun frolicking in them. The temperature of the water is very nice and it is pretty warm out so we stay in for quite a while. Then onto the beach for a little sunbathing and before we heat up again.

In the Thyrrenian Sea

By the time we go in again, the tide has come up quite a bit so the waves are not as powerful as they were earlier. This makes it easier to just float around and enjoy the sun and sea. When we dry off the second time, we have had enough and walk back towards the apartment. It is 1400 and most food places are closed, so we stop and order a pizza and arrancini to go. We bring it back to our apartment and enjoy it with some wine. This leads to siesta and writing time. One could get used to this type of life.
Dinner tonight is right around the corner in a small restaurant where we made reservations. You have to ring a bell for them to open the door, which is a little bit different. Last night we rang the bell and made our reservation which they set at 2000 (8 o’clock) even though I tried for a little earlier. We leave our place around 1900 so we can explore and enjoy an evening passagietta of our own. We find another place that had good reviews and I go in and try and reserve for tomorrow but the lady just gives me a card and tells me to call tomorrow. No one was in the place yet and it left me with a feeling as if they did not really want tourists here so we are thinking we will oblige that feeling and find somewhere else tomorrow.
After some further explorations, we show up at the secret door to the restaurant, ring the bell, give them the password of Pesce spada and are let inside. The waiter explains the whole menu in English and then leaves us to decide. We choose to get a mixed fish antipasto, a pasta with shrimp and a breaded swordfish. A bottle of the local white wine will accompany our meal.

Fish Antipasto

The antipasto has some very different items for us. There is smoked swordfish, tuna, mackerel, fried sardines, a caponata mix, cous cous, and what I think was a fried shrimp ball. Pretty adventurous for our palate but everything is quite good. About the only thing I would not get again is the sardines. They are palatable but not quite to our taste. I eat them, bones and all like the locals where Carol leaves a small skeleton behind.
We split the pasta with shrimp and the swordfish, both of which are very good. We are happy with the meal but overall it was a little pricey for the value and we both thought La Tramontana had food that was every bit as good at more reasonable prices and a great cheap house wine to boot. After dinner, we return the short distance back to our apartment and call it a very good day.
Expenses
Water at Market 1E
Pizza and Arrancini 8.8E
Dinner and Wine Il Vicoletto. 49E
San Pietro Casa Vacanze 52E
Walked 6 Miles