About in Olbia

Our guests arrived, so it was time to bunker the boat and make the crossing to Sardinia. We picked our weather window, but nevertheless, it was a hard crossing. 28 hours with the wind peaking at about 25 knots. We managed to sail most of the night, dropping a bit lower to keep the boat moving. The early morning hours were the hardest, as we had to reef down and the wind came right on the nose. After a day recovering in Brandinchi, we headed into the major Sardinian port of Olbia.

Enroute to Olbia

Our anchorage in Brandinchi

Lighthouse coming into Olbia

Meagan and Tony

Our guest, Julia

Olbia was a great entry port for Sardinia with that most rare of conveniences, a free town quay. We tied up at this dock, well sheltered from the blustery Sardinian winds. We were surprised that we were allowed to stay on the dock after learning from the Coast  Guardia that Symphony was docking next to us. Symphony is a 101m super yacht owned by the Bernard Arnault, director of Lois Vuitton and Europe's wealthiest person. Symphony featured a glass bottomed contra-flow pool with waterfall, certified for helicopter operations, and valued at E150,000,000.

Symphony docking next to us

Pavlov's neighbourhood just improved

Olbia proved to be a great base for Pavlov. The dock was secure enough that we hired a car for two days for a trip around Sardinia.

Main square in Porto Olbia

Yet another religious procession

Taking the virgin for a walk again.

We drove to first to Dogali, which is a town featuring numerous handworked crafts. We couldn't resist the local leatherwork and bought a number of bags. We passed by an impressive mountain with a large river/lake system  'Largo del Cedrino', on the way to Nuero, where we had a memorable traditional Sardinian meal and spent the night. Next day, it was on to Alghero on the western coast, then back to Olbia.

Exploring Sardinia with Julia and Tony

Largo del Cendrino

Artwork of traditional Sard attire

Gourd handicrafts in Dogali

Small cute villages

Main promenade of Nuero

Old fortifications at Alghero

A great meal at Monteblu Ristorantia in Nuero

Cafe societies rule!

Back to Olbia, we prepped the boat to head off to the Costa Smeralda, playground of the rich and famous. After rubbing shoulders with Symphony, we felt prepared for a tour of duty as paparazzi. Arrivederci!

Coastal tower in Alghero

Alghero coast line

Who's chasing who?