Julie

After nearly four days of peace at sea, arriving in Poetto felt quite overwhelming. We really should have known better. Anchoring in an Italian bay over the weekend is rarely a good idea. Poetto is, after all, the main beach destination for the people of Cagliari. It is a popular getaway for the locals, so naturally, it was lively and crowded. On the very first day, we had to step in when a few small boats came nearby. Some were anchored too close, while others simply didn’t have a secure hold. Instead of taking action, the owners just stared at us blankly until they, sometimes literally, drifted into our boat. It was a strange experience. And that’s not even mentioning the windsurfers who made no effort to steer clear of us. Poetto definitely wasn’t the highlight of our trip. What made the stay enjoyable, however, was meeting up with Thomas from New Hope. We had spent almost six weeks anchored in the same bay in Mallorca, so it was really nice to run into him again here in Sardinia. That same evening we invited him over to share some tuna. The catch, as mentioned in a previous post, was far too much for the two of us to finish. And sharing a meal is always more enjoyable with good company. One of my favorite pizzerias, Gusteau, is also located here, so of course we went out for a pizza night together. Still, I knew pretty quickly that I didn’t want to stay much longer. The bay was just too busy for my taste. From a practical standpoint, it made sense to be there. We were waiting for a package to be delivered, and the Superpan, a large Italian supermarket, was nearby which made it easy to stock up on delicious Italian products. Poetto itself has a distinct retro vibe. I noticed it the last time we were here, but this time it stood out even more. It feels like time has stood still. The place has a certain charm, though it also appears a bit run-down. It is not really ideal for walking, although the hike to the tower on the hill, past the military area, turned out to be fairly pleasant. Unfortunately, the intense heat and steep slopes made me question my decision more than once along the way. After a few days, we had enough. We were both in need of some peace and quiet. On top of that, the forecast predicted unfavorable swells in the bay. So we decided, along with Thomas, to lift anchor and head for a quieter spot. That is one of the great things about traveling by boat. If you no longer enjoy a place, you can simply move on.