Sardinia

We docked in Cagliari - Sardinia's Capital City - in the south of the Island on a lovely day, she was a lovely harbour, relatively uncommercialised with a backdrop of mountains.

Overlooking Cagliari from Mont Urpino

And on the other side are the salt lagoons, absolutely crowded with Flamingos - apparently these beautiful birds are not affected by the salt - can live in fresh and salt. Cropped this to try and get closer to the Flamingos, but that is still another little thing I have to learn on the Mac - it just cropped the size of the photo - oh well.

We then headed for Nora - the waters were just so clear.

A couple of days ago I suggested to the Brig that he choose one or two of the tours - he did this for both Cagliari and Alghero - Archaeology - BC - on both days!!

Nora was a commercial port founded by the merchant Pheonicians, and featured a double harbour, one side was sheltered from the Mistral, and the other from the west wind- subsequently a Carthaginian and then a Roman town - the 'colonisers'.

Mosaics are still there

Sardinia has guard towers around the island - all "line of sight visible" to one another, created by the order of the King of Spain during its dominion.

Tunnels for royalty to enter the Theatre

Still in magic condition, and now Jazz concerts are held there annually.

Tonight's dinner was "hot rocks" on the Pool Deck - cool it definitely was!

Above are Valerie and Tom, California, and Graham and Lyn, Sydney.

The Brig and Ann - her husband Boyd is at the Bar, and I am behind the lens. We cooked our salmon and steak on the hot rocks, very good - then went south on the Wind to where there was heat - our cabins.

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ALGHERO - SARDINIA

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It was a dull, rather wet greeting into Alghero Harbour - north side of the Island, and we were off again on one of the Brig's BC archaeology choices - evidence of Sardinia's earliest inhabitants can be found in its numerous prehistoric remains. Among the most notable are the Nuraghi - where we were off to. These towers below are characteristic of the island's culture of the Bronze and Iron ages.

Ancient writers called them the "nuraghi" people, naming them after their dwellings the "nuraghi" . These remains date back to a civilisation that existed here about 1300 - 1200 BC. These structures are unique to Sardinia, just as the Aztec pyramids are to Mexico.

Then back to Alghero, and yes another church

with 14th Century Cloister

Alghero's Church of San Francesco located in its Spanish section

Alghero's "slingshot" used for disabling enemy ships, or soldiers - has the Silver Wind lined up today!

Alghero's medieval watch towers

and walls where a few cats had set up home - being fed by locals

And pre dinner drinks in the Piano Bar while listening to Ramon.

Lovely music and evening - Archaeology tours are now over!!!!