愛我乃瑋

Ródos, Malta & Sicily ~ 09

Modica was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. Just open it !

Being one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto,

Modica exceeds its fame with crumbly chocolates rather than its ravish beauty, however.

The reception of our hotel is within the shop nearby named Cioccolato di Modica Sabadì.

Valentina, the elegant clerk, introduced us bizarre flavours, such as Ginger & Chili pepper.

Yes, one cannot reveal the veil of Modica without mentioning its age-old chocolate culture.

Preseving the ancient Aztec method of chocolate making, it's quite different while chewing.

As the delicate Baroque artwork on the façade, Modica chocolate is full of dazzling variety.

We stayed at Le Stanze del Cioccolato for 2 nights, € 188 with breakfast, city tax included.

The magnificent Duomo of San Giorgio stands epically as our companion, as you can see.

Overlooking the dreamy splendors of Modica Bassa from our balcony, is an easy privilege.

Embraced by glamorus buildings all around, where time flows backwards in perfect silence.

Duomo of San Giorgio, like a phoenix reborn from the ashes of earthquake, is breathtaking.

The Cathedral is dedicated to St. George, an image presented slaughtering an evil dragon.

Having breakfast at Bar del Duomo was unforgettable, because of the gentle owner, Fabio.

He served us with coffee, olives, sausages, hand-made chocolate, and best of all, Cannoli.

It's interesting that the locals all stood sipping cups of espresso with sugar pack pouring in.

Shrouded in a peaceful atmosphere, Modica Alta has been shining like a gem for centuries.

Some even insisted that the church be listed in The Seven Wonders of the Baroque World.

Let's get down to the valley, to explore why and how the poetic town is so highly esteemed.

Teatro Garibaldi, an old theater located on Corso Umberto I, was built in Neoclassical style.

Those block-like, dusty, Khaki houses heaped up over the hill, became a spectacular sight.

But nothing was more important than visiting The Pasticceria Di Lorenzo for the time being.

Chocolate Cream Puff, the most outstanding above all, was really amazing and impressive.

Heartily touched by sincere smiles of the family, how could one not fall in love with Modica?

Along Corso Umberto I, the main street of Modica, daily lives drifted slowly as if in the vein.

Skip over Museo del Cioccolato di Modica, we came to the famed Antica Dolceria Bonajuto.

Since cinnamon chocolate was the best seller for tourists, we also bought one as souvenir.

Another masterpiece of Baroque church, Duomo di San Pietro Apostolo, echoes in eternity.

Those statues of Twelve Apostles are arrayed on both sides, featuring dignified refinement.

Sicily is no doubt a Treasury. The more you seek, the deeper you are lost in its abundance.

Just as Isaac Newton said, "I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore,"

"Finding a prettier shell... Whilst the great ocean of Beauty lay all undiscovered before me."

Chiesa di San Domenico, for instance, lies hidden behind the roundabout of War Memorial.

How can I take eyes off the Sicilian baroque balcony of Palazzo Tommasi Rosso-Tedeschi?

Wandering back the valley, I was again astonished by the mighty but exquiste sight of city.

In low season, we were welcomed to be the only two customers of the Trattoria Da Ignazio.

When a bowl as large as a washbasin of full Mussels was sent to us, so did the happiness.

On the way home, Scalinata Di San Giorgio were the stairs must be stepped up with effort.

With all my gratitude to the kind people of Modica, especially clerks of supermarket COOP.

The reason Modica was beyond our expectation, was mostly derived from its Friendliness.

Everywhere we went, even a diner as the Ci Vulia, we encountered enthusiastic hospitality.

Despite ordering only two Arancini, we were treated by this nice shopkeeper as old friends.

The paint of Chiesa di Santa Maria del Soccorso was faded, my memories would never be.

Noto Cathedral, constructed by limestone, is another great symbol of Baroque architecture.

Declared as UNESCO World Heritage, Noto is also the filming scene of The White Lotus 2.

We spent one night in Noto, reaching almost soaked in rain, at the end of Journey in Sicily.

I knew Sicily would never let me down, for there was always a pasticceria offering comfort.

Stuffing Pistachios Granita into Brioche con Gelato, we had a great time at Candiano Noto.

There was a storm coming. Nevertheless, Palazzo Ducezio was glittering, come what may.