Sardinien Roadtrip - Neptune's Cave - Tag 7

09/25/23

We have to hurry up a bit this morning. We have tickets for a visit to a stalactite cave, but somehow we were too relaxed to leave in time. But luckily the Italians don't care at all. So after Jan drove us through the traffic and parking chaos here again, we tackle the 654 steps of the Escala del Cabirol. The stairs wind down the rock face to bring us to lake level. When you get to the bottom, your legs are shaking quite a bit, and the high steps aren't particularly knee-friendly either (there it is again, we're getting old).

A queue of tourists stretches through the Grotta di Nettuno. We line up and are definitely looking for treasure chests and old pirate ships, because it looks like a perfect hiding place for the sea crooks.

The cave is warmer than expected and the 654 steps back up are definitely a weekly exercise session in themselves. Accordingly, we look for the next bay, climb down a small steep wall like real adventurers and go for a swim. But because it's getting darker and noticeably windier, we go shopping and head back to the campsite.

Philipp and Steffi decide to visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. You walk through a pine forest to fine, white sand and shallow, shimmering turquoise water. Jan and I prefer to take a cold shower and make ourselves comfortable under the trees by the tent with a beer from the island (Ichnusa).

After the bathing beauties come back, we set off to explore Alghero - also called little Barcelona. We visit the Santa Maria Cathedral (the altar is made of really beautiful red and black granite), stroll through the small streets and stop at two different ice cream parlors. Philipp has to fulfill his ice cream quota.

With dinner today we somehow end up hitting the toilet. We agree that the tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms could just as easily have been from the Maggie bag.

On the way back we can walk along the city wall and admire a beautiful sunset.

Shortly before the campsite we go to a beach bar. Jan insists on rinsing the taste of Maggie out of his mouth, preferably with cocktails. And because we are in Italy there is also ham, salami, pecorino and bread. So we go to bed happy after all.