Cagliari, Sardinia: As mentioned previously, we had an all-day sailing trip scheduled for today, as there wasn't much we wanted to see in Cagliari (fort, church), but it was cancelled due to high winds... which, of course, were nowhere to be seen when we docked in Sardinia. This was Dave's most-desired excursion too. Bummer of a birthday vacay, DT. All other excursions were booked or required hours on a bus. But we are in Italy now, and Italy is one of our most favorite places to visit - and eat. So, off we trudged.
Again, the ship provided a shuttle to the center of town, but today it was "mandatory" instead of just provided if you didn't want to walk. The bus only went to the end of the pier, so I think this was a safety issue, not an old fat cruiser issue. There was a tourist office at the end of the pier and they sold us (what turned out to be) a very bad "artistic" map of the city, and off we went.
Cagliari itself is a pretty little town, rising up from the sea. Lots of colorful buildings. Nearly everything seems ancient and there is a lot of graffiti and wires (electrical, cable, who knows) sprouting out of walls and windows everywhere.
We just walked uphill until we reached the top. At this square is a church (Good Friday services) and an archaeological museum. It seems the city was built on top of itself several times, and the excavation continues.
The streets near the top of the hill are one-car wide and the cars don't seem to slow down for pedestrians. Honestly, the cars are so small, I don't think they want to slow or stop for fear they may lose their uphill momentum!
The body of water in the back of this photo is a saline lake that houses thousands of pink flamingos in the summer, where they come to lay eggs and raise their chicks (called pulli). Pink flamingo stuffed animals, keychains, etc., are in all the tourist shops.
Pink flamingos or not, the "symbol" of Cagliari is an elephant due to the little elephants jutting-out (about half-way up) from this tower. This was once one of the entrance gates to the city.
Also at the top of the hill, but overlooking the port is the huge Terrazza Umberto I, on top of the Bastione di Saint Remy.
By 1p, I needed a rest and I needed food (we had fruit and coffee in our room at 8a), so we found a little cafe in a little square. It does seem so many of the restaurants in Italy have the similar menus, but this one offered a few Sardinian dishes. I ordered one of the best things I have consumed in a while - Pappardelle al Ragu Bianco (Pappardelle with white sauce). The sauce was made with lean beef, a lot of carrots, onions, garlic and pesto - simmered forever - and finished with a little cream. Wow, was this ever good and I can't wait to learn and perfect the recipe. Dave had grilled cuttlefish.
ASIDE: As we approached the pier, we saw our room attendant heading into town with another guy. (Crew can go into town on their off time.) They were headed to a Chinese restaurant (we saw the restaurant while in town today) because they wanted some spicy food. When we saw Rudolph later this evening, he said the restaurant didn't open until 7p, so they went to the mall instead.
We just continued to walk down hill until we reached the port, hopped back on the shuttle bus and we at the ship about 3:30p. A very long day and already over 14,000 steps and not one of the steps were on a level surface. Ouch! Before heading back to our cabin, we stopped to the coffee bar above the lobby for some caffeine.
We went to the Explora Lounge (11th deck, fore) at 7p for cocktails. The staff already know how I like my martini and never fail. Dinner tonight was at the Mediterranean Yacht Club (such a pretentious name?). We split the special-tonight appetizers: Dave had the smoked haddock and I had the brie with caramelized onions. One bruschetta each. Perfect. Then we split the vegan falafel starter. I ordered the vegetarian mushroom risotto for my main, while Dave ordered the Dover Sole Puttanesca. Did I forget you can order appetizer-portions of most meals? It was too dark for decent photos, but everything was brilliantly presented. Just too much food.
Tomorrow: Tunisia!
Pedometer: 15,408 steps (as I said, mostly up or down hill). Over six miles.
Until my next update, I remain, your Italian correspondent.
LINKS:
Cagliari Tourist Office
Explora II
Current Ship Location