S1.17 - Sailing Adventures in Italy: From Quiet Anchorages to Unexpected Raves
Aug 10 - Tranquility
Prior to setting sail in the morning, Jalapeño bids farewell, leaving behind a quirky memory.
We quickly acknowledge the culinary challenges of Port of Santa Teresa and yet appreciate the tranquility of our current spot.
Aug 11-12: Snorkels and Piña Coladas!
After a restful night, we seek out a picturesque anchorage at Punta Falcone with a sandy shore and several exploring options.
Sunset at Punta Falcone
Lovely night indeed followed by a delightful day.
We indulged in relaxation and adventure, diving into the sea for a long snorkeling session.
Ryan then whipped up our inaugural Boat Piña Colada, while I debuted our Boat Pizza. As evening fell, we retired early, each indulging in personal entertainment.
Aug 13 - Celestial Wonders
An unexpected wake-up call at 3:30 am jolts us from slumber as our anchor alarm signals trouble—our anchor was dragging! Swiftly, we pulled anchor and ventured into the tranquil expanse of the Tyrrhenian Sea, where we silenced our engines and drifted, surrendering to the gentle sway of the waves until the break of dawn. Enveloped by the ethereal glow of countless stars, Ryan, Byron, and I laid out on the patio mesmerized by a celestial spectacle—the awe-inspiring dance of a meteor shower.
With the first light, we sought refuge in a nearby bay, its allure tainted by the promise of a bustling resort scene. Weary from the night's ordeal, we succumbed to exhaustion, only to be rudely awakened by the cacophony of an ill-fated DJ beach party at 11:00 am—a disheartening contrast to the serenity we craved.
A Not-so-Peaceful Anchorage
Seeking solace, we relocated to a secluded dive site, where Ryan, Byron, and Michelle dawned their scuba gear and immersed themselves in the underwater realm while I remained onboard, content in the solitude aboard Lucky Enough.
Journeying further, we discovered the enchanting allure of Cala Lunga—a sanctuary of peace nestled amidst towering boulders. With Ryan venturing into the crystalline waters to secure our anchor, we forged connections with fellow sailors (Katja and Jim on their monohaul Gemini), sharing the tranquil beauty of our surroundings.
Cala Lunga
Yet, sleep eluded us amidst the silent apprehension of the possibility of our anchor entwining itself within the rugged terrain.
Contemplating our next move, we weighed the allure of exploration against the specter of impending crowds, navigating the delicate balance between adventure and tranquility.
Aug 14 - Entanglements, SuperYachts and Raves
Sure enough, morning brought a daring endeavor as we disentangle our anchor wrapped around a stubborn boulder. Then we bid farewell to newfound friends and began navigating through a sea of luxury vessels such as extravagant sailboats:
… and this
146 meter Superyacht Opera
According to SuperYacht Times, “In the world rankings for largest yachts, the superyacht, Opera, is listed at number 10.”
We marveled at the Monday-Madness of non-stop boats coming from all directions, lamenting the lack of courtesy among fellow seafarers.
We finally arrive at Moys Marina, Olbia, relieved to secure a stress-free berth.
Nearing Marina in Olbia
We got settled in no time, had our celebratory docking beer, then went out for dinner. Little did we know, we had arrived (yet once again) at a marina just in time for another Stat Holiday – so as peaceful and beautiful our slot seemed to be when we had our wine on the patio, our respite was short-lived as a nearby concert ensues, disrupting our peace until the early hours. At least we were able to admire more gorgeous vessels coming into the marina as well.
This Feadship MIRAGE is a 53m luxury motor super yacht available for charter built in 1979, refitted in 2015. Charter up to 12 guests in 8 cabins.
Ryan ventured out in the wee hours of the night due to his insomnia and reported about 35-40 thousand people at the nearby rave.
Aug 15-16: Regrouping
Efficiently sprucing up Lucky Enough, we ventured ashore for provisions amid the holiday closures. Despite another night of relentless thuds of nearby festivities, we opted for one more night at the marina.
The following day, Ryan found a sail maker shop who replaced our batten (a primary structure on our mainsail) that had somehow got broken, and then we gratefully indulged in massages. Finally savoring in a tranquil evening of pizza, wine, and the absence of raucous revelry.