12-Dec-2024
Having arrived in Olbia on Tuesday, after what felt like a fairly gruelling 48 hours, we were very happy to go flopbot yesterday. Especially as the sore throat I'd been lugging around with my backpack for a couple of days had finally emerged as some sort of nose-running malady.
We've probably not given Olbia our best, under the circumstances. But everyone we've met has been helpful, and it is a very charming little place:
A nice seaside position
An interesting line in sculpture
It's always nice to come across Borneo on our travels
Fine buildings
The remains of Punic walls. In case, like me, you don't know what Punic means: "The term Punic typically refers to those areas that were controlled and culturally influenced by Carthage." And indeed, as the signboard said, around BC 510, Olbia and the rest of Sardinia came under Carthaginian rule...
What it might have been like around BC 330 when the Carthaginians founded a colony here
We loved this little cafe. Latte e Miele (Milk and Honey). Two excellent cappuccini (Italy is the ONLY place I ever consider ordering a cappuccino) and two plump filled croissants cost EUR 6
The Basilica of San Semplicio
The Church of St Paul
So, Olbia was a pleasant little respite.
Today was transition day, and it was all made much easier by being able to leave luggage at our apartment hotel until it was time to catch the bus.
Yes, bus... When we'd originally devised this itinerary, we would have been coming down from Santa Teresa di Gallura on the bus, and swapping to the train here in Olbia. But in the space of time between planning and actualizing, railway upgrading broke out, and now you have to get the substitute bus as far as Ozieri-Chilivani. Only then can you catch a train.
We walked to the station in Olbia (the spanking new one, all ready for the time when the upgrading is complete):
It was drizzling by now. So when the bus rolled up, there was a bit of a clamour to get on it. "I can't let you on. We're not going for 20 minutes," says the driver. "But it's raining," say the assembled passengers. "Oh, all right then, but remember: No eating or drinking."
It was a scenic ride, the granite elements of the countryside reminiscent of Corsica, but buses are pretty impossible to take pictures from. This is the best I could do:
And finally, we're back on the train for the stretch from Ozieri-Chilivani to Sassari. First train since our day trip to Corte...
It really hadn't been a bad day's travel. Much easier than other transition days this week. But by the time we'd arrived at our new abode, it was raining again, and my head was banging, and I was very ready to stop. So it was nice to encounter the welcoming fairy-lights (see the pic at the top), and think the comforting thoughts that the sight of a nice bed and fresh towels engender.
The view from the window
Our downstairs
Fortunately, there's a little supermarket very close by, and once we'd figured out how to work the gas stove (not easy), it didn't take long to make tea.
This place is spacious; what we've seen of Sassari on our walk from the station promises well; and -- best of all -- we're here for eight glorious nights. No transition days for ages...