What a week, what a journey, what an adventure!
Time to buckle up … our next adventure was calling. We were heading to Sardinia to wiggle our toes in crystal clear waters and much, much more!
We arrived in Cagliari just as the sun was setting. Rang our guide (Mauro) who swept us up and gave us a voice over of the trip from the airport to the hotel. We were amazed to see pink flamingos. Apparently, they nest in the protected pond of Molentargius, very close to our hotel.
The day after we had breakfast at the hotel which pretty much ticked all the boxes. No hot food but the coffee gave us a kick and the service was efficient and friendly.
We ended up going on a hike which was definitely worth the wait. Mauro was so attentive and informative. We learned about the Sardinian culture, vegetation, minerals, and history. We even managed to get a closer look at the Devil’s Saddle. Food for the eyes and the brain. Wonderful
The morning after we entered a wood very quietly and happened upon a family of deer. Such a magical moment. The ‘family’ followed us for a while (at a distance). Got the feeling that they don’t see many humans.
The gentle walk led to a three-hour heavy-duty hike.
We lunched at a waterfall (minus the water as Sardinia hadn’t seen much rain). Had a shepherd’s lunch complete with Mauro’s personally pressed olive oil. What a treat. The route down the mountain was not for the faint-hearted. It was incredibly steep… like climbing without ropes. I totally loved it.
We then traced the river which was pretty dry but wet enough to be dangerous so we were super careful, under Mauro’s watchful eyes. We were able to admire the magnificent beauty which negotiating the tricky terrain. By the end, I was feeling a bit pooped and my feet were shouting “elevate me”. Soooo worth it though.
The next day, the mountain awaits – time to embrace Via Ferrata for the first time.
Still my beating heart! It doesn’t get much higher or more exhilarating than this. Our guides (Mauro, Mouritizo, and Frank) were unbelievable. They made us feel so confident. Their instructions were clear, their sense of fun was infectious, and the experience was breathtaking.
When the adrenaline rush was over, we needed to refuel and what could be better than wonderful Italian food cooked on an open fire? If that food is served with wine. And it was … hoorah!
On Wednesday the beach was calling …
The team at SubAquaDive Service - Villasimius, were there to greet us with big smiles. We were kitted out for our snorkelling experience and even given their personal towels as Olly and I had forgotten ours. The staff were totally lovely, providing snacks and very clear instructions on the sites, the marine life, and the best way to enter and exit the water. We snorkelled around the coast and explored Isola dei Cavoli. A nature reserve island and home to lots of wildlife and an impressive lighthouse. We were the only people there! We had a lot of fun and even did our bit for the environment by collecting rubbish from the coastline.
Mauro collected us mid-afternoon and stayed close coastline during the drive back to ensure we were able to enjoy the spectacular views.
The day after started with a lazy morning with a little retail therapy (bought some badass thigh-high boots).
Mauro was fast thinking and created a wonderful experience for the afternoon. He took us to Giuseppe Lecis Viticoltore a privately owned winery where Giuseppe introduced invited us to sample his wines, explained the process of moving the grapes from the vine to the bottle, and the naming history of the wines. We had a terrific afternoon. I am still reeling from the tantalising food, exceptional company, magnificent sunset, and awarding-winning wines,
The following day we started our journey from Ulassai and headed for the mountains.
There are two rules for e-biking:
1. Look ahead (do not look at your feet)
2. Keep peddling (momentum = balance)
Of course, there are no rules in Italy, just mild suggestions, and I have embraced that ethos. As a result, I took not one but two tumbles and have the grazes and bruises to prove it! I’m probably the only person who falls in slow motion. Thank goodness I had my saviour (Olly) on hand. He was brilliant at sweeping me up and my falls honestly didn’t overshadow the great runs, awesome scenery, chance encounters (cows and goats), and the glorious picnic in the woods. What FUN!
Following the e-biking, we visited the most impressive cave in Sardinia (Grotta Di Su Marmuri) where the congressions date back 10 million years. Four species of bats hibernate there during the winter… the original bat cave!
Our final adventure!! We did a fair bit of sitting down on the STAND-UP paddleboards. Actually, it was a real mix: Stand-up, kneel (played havoc with my wounds), sit down. An impressive trip. Outbound out was very tranquil, stopping in coves and exploring caves. The route back was more Hawaii 5-0. The wind had picked up and we were fighting the tide… very exciting (and rather exhausting).
Mauro very kindly took us for a whizz around the harbour and coast on his speed boat before heading back to the hotel. During the trip, we pointed out our SUP route and enjoyed the sky changing from day to night.
Homeward bound. Very proud of our adventure and the many memories we had accumulated during the week.
