James Gaston

Hiking in San Pantaleo

A brief stop in Genova

A rainy drive to Olbia 31 Oct 2019 A rainy drive to Olbia 31 Oct 2019 Olbia, Sardinia --

Sardinia to Venice

After waking up in our comfortable San Pantaleo apartment (photos below) we had a day to kill before boarding the overnight ferry to Genoa. So we toured a bit of countryside via a recommended scenic drive. Not a good day for a drive as it rained most of it, and at times it was a bit of a frog-strangler, but we saw some pretty mountain scenery and enjoyed ourselves.

Our route was west to Tempio Pausiano then south via the scenic mountain road SS392, the scenic-ness somewhat tempered by the heavy rain, then we headed back east where we stopped for lunch at a bar, it being siesta time and Berchidda being a small Italian town where everything but the bar was closed.

Later in the afternoon we dropped the car at the Olbia airport, collected a larger-than-expected bill from Avis, then took the number 2 bus to town where we discovered the connecting bus to the port required a 120 minute wait. Hmm. So we walked to a hotel where the friendly and ridiculously-talkative desk fellow called a cab but also talked a long time with the cab co. It brought to mind the takeout delivery guy in the Seinfeld where George bought the baldness cream. After a bit the cab lady arrived and, after more conversation, off we went to the port to catch the ferry to our next destination.

San Pantaleo stairs to roof patio

The San Pantaleo apartment was quite charming, with two windy stairs, much carved wood, colourful accents, attractive art, and entertaining details.

San Pantaleo stairs to roof patio

The San Pantaleo apartment was quite charming, with two windy stairs, much carved wood, colourful accents, attractive art, and entertaining details.

San Pantaleo stairs to roof patio

The San Pantaleo apartment was quite charming, with two windy stairs, much carved wood, colourful accents, attractive art, and entertaining details.

San Pantaleo apartment

Stairs to 2nd bedroom

The temp is dropping

A rainy and cool day, and it got cooler as we headed up into the mountains.

The temp is dropping

A rainy and cool day, and it got cooler as we headed up into the mountains.

The temp is dropping

A rainy and cool day, and it got cooler as we headed up into the mountains.

Scenic drive in pouring rain

Bridge over Lake Coghinas

Berchidda lunch stop on a rainy day

Berchidda

Tirrenia ferry Olbia to Genoa

Tirrenia features a Disney-theme exterior and a cheap-and-gaudy interior (the public spaces, the cabins are just cheap). I wouldn't take design cues from Tirrenia.

Tirrenia ferry Olbia to Genoa

Tirrenia features a Disney-theme exterior and a cheap-and-gaudy interior (the public spaces, the cabins are just cheap). I wouldn't take design cues from Tirrenia.

Tirrenia ferry Olbia to Genoa

Tirrenia features a Disney-theme exterior and a cheap-and-gaudy interior (the public spaces, the cabins are just cheap). I wouldn't take design cues from Tirrenia.

Tirrenia and Olbia

Another Tirrenia

The more I travel the more I appreciate BC Ferries.

Another Tirrenia

The more I travel the more I appreciate BC Ferries.

Another Tirrenia

The more I travel the more I appreciate BC Ferries.

Getting comfortable in our Tirrenia cabin

The cabins are small but adequate, with a window, two short beds, and an RV-sized bathroom. It's certainly more comfortable (though slower) than an airplane.

Getting comfortable in our Tirrenia cabin

The cabins are small but adequate, with a window, two short beds, and an RV-sized bathroom. It's certainly more comfortable (though slower) than an airplane.

Getting comfortable in our Tirrenia cabin

The cabins are small but adequate, with a window, two short beds, and an RV-sized bathroom. It's certainly more comfortable (though slower) than an airplane.

Hiking in San Pantaleo

A brief stop in Genova