Thursday, 10 October 2019

Italy 2019 - Palau, Olbia, Fiumicino then Vancouver

We head across the north end of the island and after a quick look around in downtown St. Theresa Gallura - Capo Testa and Spiaggia Rena Bianca, we head for Palau so that Jess can get some work done. Linda and I wander around town a bit then we all enjoy some great pizza. Before we go to the airport in Olbia, we stop at the beach Spiaggia Liscia Ruja. I know, enough of the beach brag! Once we are in Olbia we drop the car off and settle in for a quiet night - the ladies take in a turkish bath and I veg out......next day, when we get over to Fiumicino (Rome Airport), we manage a great sunset and meal from the roof of Jess' hotel then try to sleep......shuttle leaves at 7am and we will be travelling for another 18 hours after that.....we are excited to be coming home and look forward to seeing Jarrett!

Jess is rocking the sun freckles - getting all native on us!

the ladies pose in front of a prickly pear cactus on the road to Palau

and in front of this beautifully coloured house in St. Therese Gallura

the St. Therese harbour is used for one of the Magdelena Island ferry services...using my local tour guide voice.....


Capo Testa with the islands in the distance.....

rocks.......

the road into Spiaggia Liscia Ruja is quite beautiful.....

Liscia Ruja is practically empty when we arrive - temperature about 27 C



last dip in the Mediterranean - I could cry a salty tear!

last beach pose for a while.....

last bag of Sardo snacks - not sure exactly what they are but man are they good!

 Linda and I find this old hobbit like house in a park near the hotel.....Sardinian hobbits - just makes me really happy!!


 Linda climbs to the high point for inspiration & perspiration.......

Palau in the distance....

I think that we should make an offer........

I mean the garden is beautiful........


we might need to get rid of some of our stuff - like the bed, couch, TV - just the big stuff!

can't beat the view though!


I know - more great wine and pizza.....what a country!

return to Rome airport marks the last night in Italy.....we will stay in Fiumicino which is within 10 minutes of the airport......

the river in Fiumicino runs into the Mediterranean and is lined with fishing boats and fishing gear...

 one last amazing sunset from the hotel rooftop.....

for all to enjoy!!!!......tomorrow will be a long day but we are excited about seeing Jarrett!

Saturday, 5 October 2019

Italy 2019 - Alghero

Alghero is simply amazing....we are here for 7 days and whatever travel stress we are still carrying is quickly lifted......Jess has taken an incredible little apartment near the sea wall and within a 5 minute walk of our lovely hotel.....we settle in and relax.....lots of beach, a bit of wandering and exploring and some shopping.....the food and wine are excellent and the beaches are even better.....the crowds are smaller and much more laid back.......there are signs of the Aragonian influence everywhere but today Alghero is very much a place of Sardinia.....once again, we got lucky!!!.....but the ultimate special treat is courtesy of Jess and her love of connecting with people....after consulting with an Italian friend, she meets up with a man from Torino who spends a couple of months each year in Alghero....his name is Rulof and he speaks excellent English (also a couple of other languages)....he is an inventor/entrepreneur whose ideas and contagious personality have spawned a successful TV show and YouTube channel with a half million subscribers..........you can check him out at......     https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBIK7f8kt8U5DUdRdhSCNBQ
....the channel is in Italian but apparently you can find an English version.....for us he is a gracious host, fantastic company and he shows us around to many great spots in the greater Alghero area....I cook pasta for us all at Jess' place one night and Rulof provides the cantaloupe draped in prosciutto and we eat on Jessica's terrace....... Alghero has a very special place in our hearts and Rulof has very much been a part of that.....we will all be sad when it is time to move on and hope to be able to return the kindness and generosity that Rulof has extended to us.......my new word for paradise on earth - - - Alghero!.....

view from our hotel room in Alghero...1st night - - good start!

we meet up with Rulof at the beach in Porto Ferro......amazing spot - great day...


sunsets keep on rolling....


the wonderful beach - Spiaggia della Pelosa.....

last one in has to kiss Donald Trump!!




pucker up Dad!

Sardinia has hundreds of these ancient nuraghes - old stone farm buildings, etc.....


the town of Capo Caccia (think that is right) in the distance taken from near the top of the cape...

waiting for another sunset.....

the cape looking a bit like a sleeping giant.....

c'mon sunset!!!!!






a little cootchy cootchy coo action going on!!


meanwhile back in the old town......

anchor caught in coral......

the wall in the centre backs onto Jess' terrace - the road on this side is the sea wall....great spot!

Alghero is well protected by vigilant soldiers with sensitive ears........

modern weaponry can be found everywhere.....

lovely entrance to this home.....

the place in the middle with the white curtains is occupied by a former girlfriend of George Clooney - -

don't drink the water though!

in the old city, bird cages are a popular theme....


the Alghero cathedral........


bird cages by night in the square in front of Jess' apartment.....

lots of huge hibiscus flowers everywhere......

and tons of ratty looking beach tourists!

Sardinian tree hugger........

Sardinian lane photographer.....

heading out for a bite and a beer!


or two........

and, of course, another sunset........


the old town is busy on a Saturday night - kids, grandmas and tourists fill the streets.....


welcome to my pad Dad.....avante!

more evening entertainment.....


 breakfasts on the rooftop terrace included this lovely view......


 last Alghero beach for us was Spiaggia Maria Pia......sums up our time there nicely....


this is how I would love to waken every morning!!........Alghero - molto bene!