Sardinia (Sardegna)

Trip Undertaken by Alexander D`Agata and Geraldine Camilleri on sailing schooner Sang Royal. Covering 1210 Nautical miles in 26 days. 03-12-2012 Basic information

• After Sicily Sardinia is the second largest Island in the mediterranean. • It`s population is 1.5 million. • Land Mass is 9300 Square miles. • Located 100 nautical miles from the north to Italy. • 7 nautical miles to Corsica. • 150 nautical miles to Sicily. • Having a coast-line 1834 miles. Information on the Occupants

– There are five different kind of people occupying the land. – A. The indigenous native ( recognized by their Sard language. – B. Main land rich Italians to the north and less privileged to the south. – C. Russians. – D. Ex-soviet north Europeans ( seeking work). – E. Clandestine individuals from India- Pakistan- Sri Lanka and North Africa ( these individuals mix well and work for the community; the quieter and most productive are the Indians and Sri Lankans )

The Indiginous Sardinians.

• Speak their own language, there are about four types of dialects. These are noticeable as they speak ‘Sard’ amongst themselves. • The Sards are normally short, having dark beautiful healthy hair. • They are quiet like our northern European neighbors. • They tend to be suspicious by nature. • They are Roman Catholic ( however on the most part, they are non- practicing unlike our Sicilian neighbors). Religion is mainly a cultural heritage. • Their patron saint is Saint Efisus. • They work closely with the land and own much of it. • They are extremely family orientated and rear their children well. • The education standard is high and many want to travel to the main land to seek employment. • The Sards in particular do not speak English.

Who are the real Sards

• Their roots are nomadic. • A large proportion of the Sards live off the land. • They appear tough when first meeting them, and they do not open up easily ad are not the most approachable of people, however they welcome foreigners being the main source of income. • Females tend to wear the trousers and rule the family with an iron fist, whilst the men are woven into their fabric. When married, there is an interesting battle for supremacy, in which the female uses her seductive powers to gain autonomy - and does a very good job of it. • Sards live on a similar system to the Sicilians, that of hierarchy within the family structure. • They see themselves as Sards first and foremost and secondly, Italians. For the large part, Sards were communist during the second word war, disliking the fascists. This is still felt in the mountains but the tendency is now Socialism. • The Sards till recently, lived an extremely hard life, one could say harder than the Maltese and this is what makes them so different to us.

History

• Sardinia was always occupied but never really ruled. This is because the terrain is harsh, mountainous and inhospitable. • Through the ages, Sardinia was mainly occupied by the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Moors, some Jewish communities, the House of Aragon and Spain. • In 1720 in the treaty of London, Sardinia came under house of Savoy and is still as such today. • Nelson never set foot on the island as he didn’t want to violate the treaty set up in London. He always insisted that Sardinia was extremely important to the British Sovereignty, even greater than Malta at the time. • Nelson on the most part kept his fleet to the North at the Madalena protective Islands and shores. This was a short distance to Corsica and French waters. Planning the trip

• Service equipment. • Service engine. • Purchase minimal spares for the main engine, i.e. engine belt, transmission - engine oil, distilled water, impellor, spare batteries for torch etc. • Check expiry dates on safety equipment. • Take the vessel on sea trials.

The following equipment is necessary.

• Life Raft. • EPIRB. • SART ( Optional). • Radar. • Life Jackets. • VHF ( obvious). • AIS System ( Optional but important). • Lap top with internet Key. • Good quality torch x2. • GPS Plotter. Before leaving

• Fill fuel tanks. • Fill water tanks. • Check batteries. • Start to study the weather patterns. Log on to U Grib or wind finder and view five day forecast. • Plan your trip. Decide where you intend your final destination is. • Decide to leave when the weather is there to help you achieve your goal.

First leg from Malta to Mazara del Vallo - 140 nautical miles

Second leg from Mazara del Vallo to South Sardinia covering 176 nautical miles Sang Royal on arrival in south Sardinia

Golfo di Carbonara Cagliari Peninsula Carbonara Bay – South Cagliari

Central East Coast of Sardinia. Marina di Gairo - East Sardinia

Coccorrocci East Sardinia

L`azzurro di Porto Frailis Torre di San Gemiliano in Capo Bella Vista. Third night stop was at Arbatax – 52 nautical miles north of Villasimius peninsula Arbatax Harbour

• A. Perfect for shelter. • B. Fuelling Up. • C. Food and other Provisions. • D. Car Hire Our approach to Arbatax Orosei Obol Arbatax Lido at Arbatax Sandy beach at Orri at Arbatax Arrival at destination: Olbia: 60 nautical miles north of Arbatax Olbia Light House in the distance Entrance to Olbia Harbor Light House

Olbia is ideal as a home base.

• A. Good for provisions. • B. Staying on anchorage. • C. Entertaining. • D. Receiving friends arriving from the airport of Costa Smeralda. • E. Having friends come from the mainland of Italy by ferry. • Car Hire Cause way into Olbia Harbour. Olbia Port

Entrance to Porto Antico

Olbia Port Oyster Farm In Olbia Port Olbia at night Anchorage at Olbia Entering Harbor at Olbia

Morning shadow from Olbia looking out to Tavolara Tavolara off Olbia On Anchorage in Tavolara Geraldine Tavolara Marshland In Olbia where one may find Flamingos

Cala Brandinchi Tavolara

Night Anchorage Night Anchorage Typical sea . Cala Girgolu

Great for Canoe Adventure The small island of Figarolo off Olbia: quiet and romantic

Golf Aranci Ariel View when approaching Olbia Night Anchorage Night Anchorage

Clouds floating on top of Tavolara indicate bad weather is on the way. Porto Rotondo

View from Porto Rotondo

Porto Rotondo Porto Cervo Charge band per day for yacht up to 12 mts. • Band 1 no charge • Porto Cervo 6+ • Band 2 - Euro 25. • Marina di Portisca 6+ • Band 3 - Euro25-40. • Porto Rotondo 6+ • Band 4 - Euro 41- 55. • Punta Marana 5 • Band 5 - Euro 55- 70. • Golfo Aranci 1/3 • Band 6 - Euro70-100. • Olbia 6+ • Band 6+ - Euro 100 + • La Calletts 4 • Arbatax 4 Porto Cervo Cala Grano Porto Cervo

Typical Architecture Port Cervo II Typical houses on the beach where one can moor their boats

Typical architecture expressing different styles and talent

Approaching the island of Maddalena. The town of La Maddalena La Maddalena

The ferry that travels from the main land to Maddalena.

Upmarket Shopping centre

Maddalena clear water

View from the shore

Car trip from Palau to Stintino – approx 160 km

Stintino beach

Stintino Harbour, friendly and good to dine out and very reasonable.

Limits of Stintino Return trip from Tavolara, near Olbia, to Favignana – 216 nautical miles Favignana

Trip From Favignana to Sciacca. 45 Nautical miles

Second stop in Sciacca Sciacca

Cantiere Navale

Last leg to Malta from Sciacca is 118 nautical miles Returned back on the 29th October 2012, after spending 26 wonderful days at sea. Please feel free to ask any questions you like  Together with the Malta Cruising Club, I would like to thank all of you for attending this presentation and hope that some day in the coming future, you will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful island of Sardinia and experience it for yourselves.

Happy sailing. Alexander D`Agata