Last scenes

I reached Olbia and had a nice black pasta with crayfish. Then I filled up the petrol tank and checked into the hotel within walking distance to the airport. I returned the car at the airport and walked back. I did little that afternoon but nap and have a dip in the hotel pool

In the evening I wandered over to the shopping centre across the road where I took a picture of this EV charger.

Among the things on sale in the Lidl supermarket was an Italian idiosyncrasy, votive candles with images of Catholic saints and popes.

I spent a restful and uneventful night at the hotel. In the morning there was enough time to partake of a buffet breakfast before walking in the cool morning air to the airport to catch a flight out. Thus ended my two weeks in Sardinia. The towns and cities were of less interest to me than nature, especially the beautiful boundaries between land and sea. That'll probably set the tone for my future travels.
 

Spiaggia Le Saline

Saline means salt evaporation ponds. This beach seemed quite popular. It felt warmer here or maybe the day was warming up.

Evidence of crowds in season. Smart dog, staying out of the sun.

Plants of the area.

One of the aforementioned evaporation ponds.

The standing woman was talking on her mobile while the seated tourist was viewing hers. A series of curvy panoramas where I managed to get the horizon level, which doesn't always happen:

Spiaggia di Porto San Paolo

Porto San Paolo is, if you like, on the northeastern corner of Sardinia. It's a small town so there are residential facilities nearby. The beach was so-so.

What was striking about this port is the dreamy appearance of what I think is Isola Piana in the distance.

There's a ferry passing in the distance, presumably headed for the Italian mainland.

Spiaggia di Lu Impostu

Last day of car rental. I decided to view a few eastern coast beaches. The first was Spiaggia di Lu Impostu. The name sounds strange for Italian. With the help of a Corsican translator, this turns out to mean beach of the tax. It seems Sardinian and Corsican are related languages.

There's a mountain in the hinterland.

Tidy lifeguard post.

The beach is backed by a small lagoon.

Apparently this beach is called Little Tahiti for the colour of the sea.

La Cinta beach

I had chosen to spend the penultimate night in the town of San Teodoro on the east coast, to get a feel of that part of Sardinia, and also to be within close driving distance to the airport to return the car the following afternoon.

I had waited a bit too late to walk to the beach and walking instead of driving was a mistake too as it was a bit further than I realised, so I got more exercise than I expected. I also started at a less attractive entrance where it was pebbly.

The photos are not outstanding due the murky dusk and no sunset being an east facing beach. However the location did have a soothing albeit sombre ambience.

It probably looks much better in bright sunshine.

 

Porto Cervo

My destination for the afternoon was Porto Cervo but first I had to get lunch. A couple of candidates on the way from Palau were closed because it was out of season. I found a roadside pizzeria and had their napoletana. I love anchovies but I had to drink a lot of water afterwards.

Porto Cervo is the seaside resort that started the development of this part of Sardinia, Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast), as a playground for the rich. I only wanted a squiz and maybe to splurge on an afternoon coffee.

As you can see it has been built up and is not longer in the wild state you saw in previous locations I visited.

The beaches are no great shakes but I suppose the rich would have their swimming pools.

There is a Mediterranean style shopping village where holidaymakers can buy their luxuries, er needs.

Further walking took me to a marina where pleasure craft can dock and refuel.

I suppose this would be a pleasant piazza on summer evenings to dine and to be seen.

So my curiosity was satisfied. I don't think I would hanker for a vacation here even if I could afford it. I was lucky to find a free car park for the price of a bit more walking.

Some panoramas: