Tuesday August first, I was up early trying to utilize the marina wi-fi for some research on bus schedules as I planned to bus in to Cagliari the next day. I got my one job done (vacuum floors )and took trash/recycling up to the recycling area. In France we only ever found recycling for glass but here in Sardinia, as in Spain, there was cardboard, plastic, bottles and cans, and organic waste. This was also evident with the curbside pickup.
It looked like there was a one-bus option that would take about an hour, and it ran 3 times a day or so. I figured I’d check in with the marina staff the next morning to find out the fare price and bus stop specifics. It was a good thing I did, as you actually have to call and “book” that bus, 20 minutes before you want to catch it, which Rosalia, one of the staff did for me. Apparently you could purchase the ticket from the driver for 2 euros, or you could get one from a Tabacherie for 1.30 euro.
The schedule said 12.22 but the bus arrived at 12.09 and I was charged 1.90 euro. It was nice to relax and watch the scenery go by. The route loosely followed the coast, with a few side tracks into little towns, then crossed the Stagno (coastal lagoon where I saw flamingo’s!), and followed Poetta beach, which was a several-miles-long strip of sand packed with beach clubs and individual umbrellas. All the young folks got off at the west end where I could see beach volleyball courts set up.
The outskirts of Cagliari looked like it had suffered from rapid development with unimaginative concrete apartment buildings everywhere.
There were still nice little Cafe’s, Taverna’s and Ristorante’s though, and some of the streets were lined with tall shade tree’s or familiar olive tree’s. It looked like a place that people lived, and there were farmers selling fresh produce every few miles on the way in.
Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia, and was a busy city with an active Port district. I didn’t have any lofty goals for my first excursion, and decided to just have a wander and find a place for lunch. The main road “Viale Roma” ran parallel to the port, and there were many narrow streets packed with clothing and jewelry stores, Ristorantes, Tabacheries, and tourist shops, running up hill from there. The buildings in this area were well maintained and sporting colorful facades.
I found a nice spot in the shade at a little Ristorante, where I could pass the time people watching, and sipping a local white wine which was delicious! (It came in a half bottle for 6.50 euro which seemed like a bargain for a place within walking distance from the cruise ship terminal!). Lunch was a treat with an octopus and fresh tomato salad, then a white fish stuffed ravioli, and for dessert Tiramisu, my favorite!
I stopped for an espresso on the way back to the bus stop. There was a ticket machine where I was able to get my ticket for the return trip which was only 1.30 euro, so a good day out all around!
That is so awesome!!! Mark’s mouth is watering ??