Blogs from Sicily, Italy, Europe - page 5

Advertisement

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Palermo July 7th 2021

Along the palm path there were examples of Phoénix dactylífera (the date palm), Chamaerops humilis (the Mediterranean dwarf palm) indigenous to Europe, Howèa Forsteriana an elegant palm originally from Australia known as Kéntia, and Rhapis excelsa, a small palm originally from China known as Bamboo - palm because its growth is similar to that of bamboo. THEMES ■palm ■bamboo... read more
Howea Forsteriana - leaf
Rhapis Excelsa - whole tree
Rhapis Excelsa : leaf

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Palermo July 7th 2021

The Dragon Tree (Dracaena draco) originates from the Canary Islands. Its indigenous population believe that this tree has magical properties. This belief is partly due to the fact that when the bark is cut, and reddish resin known as 'dragon's blood' is secreted which oxidises in the open air and then crystallizes. Dragon's blood was already known to the Romans, who used it as a colourant. In the Middle Ages it was sought over by wizards and alchemists who believed it had therapeutic properties. In the eighteenth century, it was used as a colourant by painters Today, it is used in the preparation of varnishes for musical string instruments, and more rarely in cosmetics. REFERENCES APP: ■coopculture.it The Botanical Garden of Palermo ... read more

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Palermo July 7th 2021

It is a deciduous tree. It is originally from China and Japan, and is considered to be a living fossil. The generic name Ginkgo comes from Chinese, yin meaning 'silver' and 'xing' meaning apricot. Silver apricot refers to the appearance of the seeds. The Ginkgo is well known for its medicinal properties. Recent clinical studies have highlighted the positive effects in the treatment of various artery and neuro degenerative diseases. THEMES ■Gingko TERMS ■deciduous trees - trees which shed leaves in autumn REFERENCES APP: ■coopculture.it The Botanical Garden of Palermo ... read more
20210711_140211

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Palermo July 7th 2021

Cyperus Papyrus was originally from Syria, Palestine and Africa, but it also grew along the banks of the rivers Anapo and Ciane. It is an elegant swamp plant that grows close to abundant water and in hot climates. The ancient Egyptians used the internal part of the stems to make the famous Papyrus that they used as paper. The techniques the Egyptians used to make sheets of Papyrus was the only cut the stems into narrow strips, which were then immersed in water. After a certain number of days, during which the strips turn into a brownish colour, they are laid out in horizontal and vertical layers and then pressed. The natural substances found in the stems allow the strips to slowly stick together firmly as they dry. The result after several days is a very ... read more

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Palermo July 7th 2021

The blooms of the Nelúmbo Nucifera, the famous Lotus flower are spectacular with scented pink and white flowers measuring at least 20 centimetres. The long leaves are totally water-repellent thanks to a thin waxy outer layer. The Lotus flower is a sacred plant in Hindu and Buddhist culture, where it is a symbol of purity. In the aquarium there was also an interesting species of South African succulent plant, Aloe saponaria, which today is used to treat psoriasis. THEMES ■The Lotus Flower ■Aloe ■Water Lilies REFERENCES APP: ■coopculture.it The Botanical Garden of Palermo ... read more
Water Lilies
Lotus Flower
The pond containing the three plants

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Palermo July 7th 2021

Soap tree (Sapíndus mukorossi) is originally from Asia. It produces roundish fruits that contain saponin in their pulp which are still used today for washing clothes in a natural way. This can be done by rubbing a drupe (the fleshy fruit that contains a single seed) in one's hands to obtain an immediate cleansing effect. Just 5 to 6 fruits put into a cloth bag and placed directly into a washing machine gives an absolutely clean wash. Each drape contains a shiny black seed. These can be used for the manufacture of necklaces, bracelets and various objects. REFERENCES APP: ■coopculture.it The Botanical Garden of Palermo ▪written up and sent to travelblog.org ... read more

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Lipari October 3rd 2019

Lipari was one of our favourite places when we visited in 2005. I am glad to say that we still love it as much as we did back then. We booked a place with a nice pool, so we could relax in between sight seeing activities. We also did a lot of the things that we did back in 2005, but this time we showed Nathan and Craig what we loved about the Aeolian Islands so much. Lipari is in the middle of the chain of islands, which Craig noted looked like the Hawaiian Islands on a map. That is because they are also volcanic in origin. Two of the islands have active volcanoes on them too. Stromboli is the most active and in 2005 we were able to climb to the top to see the ... read more
Stromboli with its smoke cloud
Close up to Stromboli
Stromboli Beach

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Trapani September 28th 2019

I can’t remember if I said anything about it in the last entry, but the food in Italy is quite good. And it was by pure chance that we ended up at the Cous Cous Fest in San Vito Del Capo one evening. The food and drink were plentiful and tasty. We found a tuna supplier handing out free samples. We also found a wine maker giving out free tastings. Then there was another tuna tasting for free; this time dried and saltier tuna. We loved it and actually bought some to take away with us. So, we wandered from tent to tent in the main street trying everything we could (some we had to pay for) until we found an all you can eat smorgasbord for 8 euro and that included any drink with it. ... read more
Bonagia Pool
Giuseppe's restaurant
From the harbour across the bay

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Ragusa September 23rd 2019

If you’re planning a health retreat, Italy shouldn’t be at the top of your list. They just live far too well here. That is what we have found on the first few days of our Sicilian escape. There is the food and wine … and well … I guess it’s mainly the food and wine. But who cares about waist lines when there is gelati, pizza and vino? From Malta we caught a flight to Catania. Just 40 minutes they said. I’ve never caught such a short flight. It left on time and I was confident that I’d be swimming in our pool that evening. Well, no, the hire car company put an end to that. Two hours of delay because we had to wait in line and negotiate about insurance and excesses because they wanted ... read more
Ragusa Gardens
Overlooking our valley
Ragusa

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Enna September 16th 2019

A great start to the day we left our apartment at 6.45am...all is quiet in Palermo! Good seats on the train leaving 7.27am on our way to Catania via Enna set high in the hills of mid Sicily. An absolutely amazing train ride through Sicily. Very hazy early morning. We were in the first carriage & were entertained by the 3 staff in the drivers compartment up front....a constant banter & the toot & hurrahs to the friends passed along the way. Everyone knows everyone so there was alot of it!! To hear the laughter & the exchange at beyond normal decibel range of most we appreciated they enjoy their life/job! The countryside looking very dry now at the end of their summer. Most crops have been turned over getting ready for the next. Burning of ... read more
20190916_080412
20190916_081024
20190916_083739




Tot: 0.106s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 10; qc: 63; dbt: 0.0573s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.3mb