Sardinia, 4 (and final)

Did you know that Sardinia produces the greatest number of centenarians in Europe? True.
Those in the mountainous region known as the Barbágia, with it's forested slopes, lush meadows and a scattering of villages, say it's the unique and unspoiled environment that offers their quality of life and longevity. They see themselves as the custodians of a treasure of inestimable value. Theirs are authentic villages with hidden inner beauty. We visited one of these places, Dorgali, the day before we left the Island to discover what they call "the Heart of Sardinia".

They were hosting an annual autumn festival where people open their homes to display traditional local costumes, crafts handed down from parent to child over the centuries, art, music, dance and food prepared and wine made according to ancient recipes. All this happens in various towns of the Barbágia, including Dorgali, from September to December.

I came across this grandmother helping a young woman with her costume:

And these three cuties! Notice their hair fixed like the older woman's:

Just a small sample of the numerous crafts:

The people were proud of their heritage, generous with their food and wine and did indeed offer a unique slice of life to savor. We came away full.


A view on the way back, where the mountains reached the sea:

I felt happy to take in and be taken in by this beautiful place.

Signing off from Sardinia with memories to treasure.

Sardinia, 3

Of doors, domes and bonsais.

We're staying in Cannigione, a fishing village in the northeast corner of Sardinia. It's near the rich and famous Costa Smeralda (where we're not staying!) and offers unspoiled beaches, uncrowded conditions, 70-72 degree sunny days (still) and delicious seafood, especially their specialty lobster grilled over open fires. Also delightful are the little cafes by the marina, the beach which I showed in my first Sardinia post and the walking path all along the sea. What a way to take a morning run!

Sheep are everywhere and the local cheese is pecorino sardo made from ewe's milk - yummy. Each day we explore local towns (Santa Teresa di Galluria, Porto Cervo, Palau, Alghero, Arzachena and Dorgali), eat local food (think grilled tuna, seafood paella, fish stew, parchment like bread and pastries flavored with lemon, almond and orange) and drink local wine ( I don't know their names but they're reds and whites and very good).  We're having a great time!

It's hard to decide which photos to share so I decided to pick a random assortment of doors:

Domes:

And 300 year old bonsais:

I hope you enjoy some of what this beautiful corner of the world has to offer. 

Sardinia, 2

Sardinia is quite diverse in it's geography but the rocks are amazing and ever present. Here are some photos to share.

Hills of rocks are everywhere.

I call this cool rocks.

There are shore rocks.

Jagged peaks on this side of the Island.

And my favorite photo from yesterday (also with jagged peaks in the distance).

I'll give more information in my next post about this wonderful place.

Sardinia

I'm in Sardinia for a week with my Honey for a relaxing vacation before the hectic schedules we then jump into. We're in the northeast section of the island and finding it so very different from the part of Italy where we live. I wanted to share some photos of what I'm discovering in this lovely place.

This is the view out our back door.

And the beach across the street from our place.

And the photo I liked the best of those I took yesterday.

More to come, so stay tuned.