Bit of a blog - Spirit of Adventure - Treasures of the Adriatic - Oct 2023

[NorbertsNiece]

If the convicted survive their prison sentence they may be released or sent for execution when this is their last view of the outside world.

 

We now head back through the courtyard spotting the St Mark Lion at the top of the staircase.

 

High tide has struck St Mark’s Square and in order to enter the Basilica we have to circumnavigate wide puddles and then climb over protective barriers that have been specially placed at the perimeter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Received a disembarkation information letter this evening. Regarding my luggage tag number, when to put my cases out, shared car etc. Geoff didn't get one. Just me. Myself. 

 

To be fair some of the neighbours have letters too.

 

But seriously. I have to get off? At all? 

 

/throws a hissy fit

 

@Saga Cruises

 

[NorbertsNiece]

A stroll around the inside of St Mark’s Cathedral.

 

It's stunning inside. But very confusing in its styles. Over the centuries it has been altered and added to with a confusing array of styles e.g Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic. 

 

Many of the columns, reliefs, and sculptures were spoils stripped from the churches, palaces, and public monuments of Constantinople as a result of the Venetian participation in the Fourth Crusade. Among the plundered artefacts brought back to Venice were the four ancient bronze horses that were placed prominently over the entry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Those stairs.... quite an achievement to reach the upper level.

 

The horses that currently adorn the exterior of the Cathedral are replicas. These are the original; their age and origin uncertain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Out on the terrace the view of St Mark’s Square and to the sea is quite spectacular especially as you stand with the horses.

 

Then the battery dies on my phone camera, and I've used up my battery pack! Had a lovely walk through the streets parallel with the way I had come from the ferry. The canals' water level is very high.... there are traffic jams of gondolas unable to get under the bridges!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 17 Cagliari (pronounced K-eye-ah-ri)

 

Buongiorno e grazie per seguirci.

 

Arrive 0800. Depart 1600.

 

Centuries-old Cagliari is a memorable sight to behold – especially when approaching by sea. Grand churches, watchtowers and shuttered townhouses that rise over the capital’s seven hills will be revealed on an included panoramic excursion. The cityscape is crowned by Il Castello, the medieval hilltop old town which is penned in by Pisan and Aragonese ramparts. Don’t miss the 13th-century cathedral and the five-mile-long sands of Poetto, a prime example of a Sardinian beach.

 

I shall go walkabout up to the cathedral. I've been here on a cruise before but don't remember it at all!

 

Geoff is on a Saga excursion :

 

WINERY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Leaving the port area you’ll reach the viewpoint of Bonaria, dominated by the 

majesty of the Basilica of Bonaria (viewed from the bus). Carry on to Monte Urpinu, a hill with 

an impressive panoramic terrace facing the Gulf of Angels on one side and the modern-old 

town on the other. You will then drive past the Naturalistic Park of Molentagius. These salt flats provide a paradise for several bird species, including flamingos. Leaving the Town area, you then head towards the 

nearby countryside of the Campidano, 

featuring painted hills in which you will be welcome at a local winery. Enjoy a tasting of 

wine accompanied by Sardinian products, 

overlooking the vineyard.

Please note: There is up to approximately 

550 yards of essential walking at the venue 

with 20 steps. Any other walking is at your 

discretion.

 

------

 

Geoff is on his tour bus, he says two ambulances have pulled up at the ship. 😢

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shuttle bus departing, walking not allowed in port area

Edited October 25, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[JoJo1947]

Wonderful photographs. Thank you for sharing 

[NorbertsNiece]

Sailaway from Cagliari delayed by over an hour and a half already. Problem with a lifeboat engine. I'd seen a couple of lifeboats swung out when I left the Grill at lunchtime.

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

My post about the start of my morning ashore has gone adrift somewhere. Was all about the town hall, a tree lined avenue, cannoli, a monument to King Charles Felix and a piazza, but it's gone. Here it is again with less info. 🤦‍♀️

 

 

 

 

 

 

WiFi is now playing games with uploading pics. 😭

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Portplush]

Linda, thank you so much for this very interesting blog.   I am thoroughly enjoying your journey.    Have you any other saga cruises booked?  

[NorbertsNiece]

3 hours ago, Portplush said:

Linda, thank you so much for this very interesting blog.   I am thoroughly enjoying your journey.    Have you any other saga cruises booked?  

Thank you! Not as yet. I know there's a long cruise over to Panama at the start of 2025; will take a look at the itinerary first before deciding.

[NorbertsNiece]

Back to my walk about..... there are steps, many, many steps. I'm heading up and up following the satnav, mostly, if not entirely successfully!

 

The Torre dell'Elefante, elephant tower, built in 1307, was part of the city's fortifications in view of the imminent Aragonese invasion of the island, but was damaged in 1708 by English bombing, in 1717 by Spanish cannons, and finally lost its top part in 1793 during a French attack. The building was also used as a prison, and its doors would show the severed heads of the prisoners who had undergone the death penalty in the nearby plazuela (the current Piazza Carlo Alberto). As part of this phenomenon, in the second half of the 17th century, the head of Marquis Cea was hung for several years, as he had been involved in the homicide of the vice-king Camarassa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 25, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 18 Sea day

 

Good morning and thanks for following 

 

Next stop Lisbon, Portugal the day after tomorrow. 

 

Bom dia e obrigado por acompanhar

 

Forgot to mention, though you may have noticed yesterday, that afternoon tea was served in the Grill according to 'Today' as a Sailaway special!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breakfast of choice, smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, cereal and herb tea ❤️

 

Edited October 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Back to Cagliari.

There's a few more steps but now I'm in the Cathedral area. The building with the blue banners is a restored historic palace-turned-museum featuring temporary exhibitions of contemporary artwork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

The Cathedral is a haven of peace and tranquility. It is the seat of the archbishop of Cagliari. The church was built in the 13th century in Pisan-Romanesque style, obtaining cathedral status in 1258. In the 17th and 18th centuries it was renovated along Baroque lines. In the 1930s it finally received the current façade, in Neo-Romanesque style, inspired by Pisa Cathedral.

 

There are four marble lions, once supporting the Ambo of Guglielmo, now located at the feet of the presbytery balustrade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Under the marble floors of the cathedral, carved out of rock, there are various underground rooms, most of which cannot be visited, intended over the centuries for the burials of various figures, including archbishops, nobles and viceroys.

 

The best-known part of the crypt, the only one currently open to visitors, is the sanctuary of the Martyrs, made up of three rooms, excavated under the presbytery by order of Archbishop de Esquivel at the beginning of the 17th century.

 

 It contains a total of 179 niches arranged in the walls of the three chapels. Above each niche there is a marble tile in bas-relief of the saint with his name and the symbols of martyrdom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I follow signs to a coffee shop but don't find it. 

 

The Pisan portal of the right transept, 13th/14th century, blocked by a tuk tuk.

 

Heading downhill I make a 'live from' video, link here ..... and see a lift.

 

A lift.

 

There's a lift. Who knew? Not me for sure! Don't believe it was mentioned in the port talk.

 

Below I can see a very wide open space and what I now know to be the Bastione di San Remy, gateway from the Villanova quarter to the fortifications of Castello in the heart of the old city, the bastion that owes its name to the Baron of San Remy, the first Viceroy of Piedmont, looks out over Piazza Costituzione where the two streets that have historically been havens of leisurely strolls and shopping merge. It was built in a Classic style between 1896 and 1902 on the old city’s medieval bastions. The San Remy Bastion is the result of the levelling and reuse of the old Sperone and Zecca bastions that had been built by the Spaniards in the late XVI century.

 

The lift has a stop on the way down to street level on what is frequently used as an exhibition space.

 

From the furthest wall it's easy to see the lift and Cathedral with stair less access.

 

Something for the port talk people to be aware of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I make my way back to the ship. It's a different route but easy walking.

 

At lunch we spot an extremely expensive yacht in the harbour. Google 'Coral Ocean'!!

 

Have spotted a life raft hanging on the port side coming out from lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I want to be up top for sailaway as we're a couple of hours late when given clearance from the Port Authorities to leave. Sadly there's a full downpour of rain which scuppered my plans.

 

We ate in the Supper Club and enjoyed a wonderful meal with excellent company. Each meal we've met such wonderful people it's been such a privilege to hear their stories.

 

The first song the band played was 'Stormy Weather' lol

 

For non Saga cruisers following Specialty Restaurant dining is included in the fare price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[lincslady]

Looks delicious, and great to have some music (maybe jazz?) and all included in the cruise price.

[NorbertsNiece]

Thought you'd like to see what's in the cupboard. There's a basket inside of which there's a laundry list; we had 2 linen laundry bags, a shoe horn, clothes brush, hairdryer and binoculars. The umbrella doesn't fit in the basket 🤣 There are also 2 pairs of slippers good for use in the spa. Bathrobes are provided. You can get larger ones. Many, many hangers. There's a small blanket (for use on the balcony?) Two towels for taking ashore.

 

 

[Windsurfboy]

You are very busy, admire your energy

 

When we went because the ship was relatively empty,  you didn't share in supper club. Booths felt empty.  In other speciality restaurants didn't share, but easy to talk to neighbours. Nice to talk to someone each night.

 

We didn't find the lift in Calagari either

[NorbertsNiece]

That's a Yorkshire Mess dessert made with rhubarb not strawberries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[Banjo an]

Thank you Norbert’s Niece. We’ve followed your blog daily.

[NorbertsNiece]

Good grief! My morning post has disappeared!!

 

Day 19 Sea day

 

Good afternoon and thanks for following!

 

There's a cough going around and it visited with me. Missed breakfast.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 27, 2023 by NorbertsNiece