The one and only MAP you need when sightseeing

Friday 22 Aug, the start of a two and three quarter day adventure with the world's best mumma bear and the one and only MAP, my dear friend from uni who now calls London home.

After a pretty standard, somewhat uneventful drive to the Olbia airport in the wee Panda to pick up MAP...

- a lengthy 9km or so bumper to bumper traffic jam
- a four car pile up
- driving in the dark for the first time to an airport I've only ever been drive to/from

...we made it.

Note to future "tourists", don't follow the first lot of airport signs to Olbia airport - it's the "tourist" way to the airport.  Anyhoo, as I said we made it....eventually!!

So fab to be hanging out with the world's best mumma bear and the one and only MAP here in Italy. Yet another delicious dinner - thank you Mum and another very late night by Australian standards. 

Saturday morning post our yum brekkie, some yoga, a run, we team of three were up and off to see the many sights and sounds. To Palau and the surrounding areas we ventured and explored. Palau, a gorgeous seaside town, is bustling with locals and tourists. Post a caffe and espresso we continued exploring and taking numerous happy snaps along the way. 

We basically missed lunch but found the restaurant we dined at four years ago when visiting for the Bum Gummer's 30th birthday.  Grazie tanto to Leonardo for shining some light on the parking situation for us.  I now know the trick for the next visit. We enjoyed some people watching time while on the little beach adjacent to the restaurant. 

On our way home, the world's best mumma bear finally took a step into a proper supermarket - mum had been suffering withdrawals. We stocked up on provisions and headed home for a scrumptious apperitivo. Salute!

Ciao ciao for now x 

Mercato madness

Thursday or "Giovedi" in Italian is Market Day in San Pantaleo. The somewhat sleepy, tranquil village of San Pantaleo goes from having some hustle and bustle around the Piazza of a morning and evening to outright madness in no time at all every Thursday. This is especially so during the peak months of summer. Put simply, it is sheer chaos. 

It seems like every man, woman, child, dog, cat, even rabbit within a 50km radius (mostly from around the Costa Smeralda, Olbia and Tempio) descend on San Pantaleo until approx 2pm every Thursday.  From fresh fruit and vegetables to cheeses and cured meats to sweets and biscuits, to clothing, accessories and art, this famous market has something for everyone and animal.  I heart SP. 

Ciao ciao for now x 

  

  

Ticking a bucket list box

I'm driving in Italy!! The hire car (will just add in here it's a manual Fiat Panda) was dropped to home this morning thanks to The Bum Gummer. Not long after, the world's best Mumma Bear and I were following The Bum Gummer and RaRa along the narrow, tight and twisting roads of Sardinia down to the Costa Smeralda.  It was fantastic!

I drove the world's best Mumma Bear and myself to Porto Cervo and checked out the outlandish wealth and excess before driving back to San Pantaleo for lunch.  And for the record aka blog, what a great lunch - fresh paninis and beer.  Not quite beer and pizza but right up there. 

Ciao ciao for now x 

Life in the not so fast lane...

The sole is shining, the sky is crystal blue, the church bells peal on the hour. The days thus far include a leisurely yoga session and walk, a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt and cereal, a walk to the Piazza for the world's best Mumma Bear caffe, time spent enjoying the sights and sounds of San Pantaleo, a walk back home, quality chill time, a walk to lunch or lunch at home, a siesta for the world's best Mumma Bear, a walk to the Piazza and supermarket, a walk back to the apartment, an aperitivo, a delicious dinner, a walk to the Piazza, more time spent enjoying the sights and sounds of San Pantaleo, a walk back home, more quality chill time, bed. Yep, it's pretty hectic here. 

Ciao ciao for now x 

I heart SP

During our first walk around the Centro in just over four years, we noticed a stall selling "I Heart SP" merchandise. The slogan was first made famous in New York City - I heart NYC - and is now reproduced in various forms around the world.  The SP is of course an abbreviation for San Pantaleo however it made me think of all the other things it could stand for to describe this beautiful part of the world. 

Spectacular Panorama 
Slower Pace
Stunning Position
Spiritual People
Supreme Pizzas  
Summer Perfection 
Sublime Prosecco
Super Pesce 
Social Piazza 
Salute Peeps   
Siesta Pronto
Special Place  
Sun-kissed Paradise 
Sweet Pomodoros
Sub-standard Parking

 Ciao ciao for now x 

Beer and pizza - the perfect match?

There is nothing quite like a traditional pizza and a local beer to quench one's thirst and satisfy one's appetite at lunchtime...or dinner for that matter.  

Not once but twice now, the world's best Mumma Bear and I have ventured to the local San Pantaleo Pizzeria Trattoria, Ichnos, for lunch.  Yes peeps, it's that good.  Our first visit this trip was lunch day one with The Bum Gummer.  Ice cold Ichnusa, a local brew, complete with a mouth-watering Quarto Stagioni pizza really does hit the spot and make you wonder for a second or two..is there anything else better in the world at that particular moment in time?! The answer is no. 

Ciao ciao for now x 

Benvenuti in San Pantaleo

The muted colours of the quaint Sardinian township San Pantaleo, glow ever so warmly as the sun shines brightly and the sky provides a crystal blue blanket.

San Pantaleo is a mountain top village, located between Olbia and Porto Cervo near the picture perfect Costa Smeralda.  This is a spectacular part of the world. Enchanting vistas, a place unlike no other, one you remember for a life time.

The world's best Mumma Bear and I are having a wonderful time thus far.  The Bum Gummer met us at the airport and ensured a safe trip back to San Pantaleo.  RaRa is currently away for work, returning later in the week. The Bum Gummer and RaRa have acquired a little piece of magic here in Sardinia. It's so very cool being able to experience it first hand and share in their happiness.  Even more so at the moment because I'm thrilled to share, they announced their engagement 15/16 August (depending on whether you're based in the northern or southern hemisphere).

Dinner first night was a delicious BBQ fish and vegies - just what was needed after nearly 33 hours of travel.  Fresh food, water, a shower, a bed and quality time with beloved family...how good are the little things in life.  

Ciao ciao for now x 

CTRL, ALT, DELETE...let the defrag begin

The world's best Mumma bear and I are on our way north for the end of the European summer.  Our purpose, to visit one son/brother, the ever cheeky yet astute Bum Gummer and his lovely fiancee, the super stylish and creative RaRa at their new pad in San Pantaleo, Sardinia.  Both the world's best Mumma Bear and I are so looking forward to this holiday, an opportunity to "defrag", spend quality time with family and just be...a need so strong after so many significant happenings since late 2013 and into 2014 thus far.   

With little fan fare but town car comfort, the world's best Mumma bear and I arrived at the airport for the first of three flights.  Many thanks to Emirates and their on-board bar, Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon for ensuring two very relaxing and enjoyable flights to Milano via Dubai...Turbulence? What turbulence?

Not quite the same can be said on our Easy Jet flight Milano to Olbia but uneventful is always preferred over eventful and the cabin crew were very friendly and welcoming.  A little heads up to anyone travelling Easy Jet from Milano, the bag drop system takes time....

Ciao ciao for now x