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April 19, 2025

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Tag: backpacking

The Essentials !

I want but do I need…….. I want to shop at Straubs and Neiman Marcus but I need to shop at Aldis and JCPennys. I …

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Eat good, Live well, Enjoy Life!
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Check-out mornings have been a coin toss when it c

Check-out mornings have been a coin toss when it comes to destination and yesterday I headed for an ancient holy well with mythical healing properties… but then found something absolutely gorgeous next door!
The well temple called Predio Canopoli, in Perfugas from approx 1800BC is similar to most ancient sites in Sardinia, the original builders and function are unknown but they do know wells & temples such as this were a place of pilgrimage and ceremonies.
This site was only discovered in 1925 when a local man was digging in his garden. Over the last 100 years further excavations and removal of a couple medieval buildings uncovered even more that included artifacts from the well (see pic of bull statue) & a larger temple ruin. What’s truly remarkable about this well is the exact precision in which these original granite building blocks were cut and tightly positioned. It honestly looks like new construction! Finding it perched behind a locked gate in the middle of a medieval residential area of a small town, I had to enter the neighboring 16th century church to find a docent for access. (Because you can almost always be certain where there is an ancient/pagan site of worship, there will be a church!) BUT THEN that’s when I saw something really magnificent…..
(…CONTINUED in COMMENTS ⬇️)
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#retablodisangiorgio #perfugas #ancientwell #sacrocanopoliwell #saintgeorge #sangiorgio #sardegna #sardinia #altarpiece
#discoverytravel #sardiniaroadtrip
#eatgoodlivewellenjoylife

The celebration of Lunissanti is an ancient one in

The celebration of Lunissanti is an ancient one in the town of Castelsardo, the medieval town’s special confraternity the Brotherhood of the Oratory of the Holy Cross, conducting a long day of dramatic religious rites and ceremonies on Holy week Monday.
Nearly 700 years of tradition, evolving from the Spanish & catholic occupation of this northern region of Sardinia dating back to the 1400s.
Before dawn, the members of the Brotherhood gather at their Santa Croce chapel located within the medieval walled city perched atop a volcanic promitory overlooking the sea. The Brotherhood are keepers of holy items that represent the trials of Jesus, a “mystery” to the faithful as they believe they will never truly know the suffering. The Brothers traditionally dress in white tunics (the abbidu) & a white cap (lu cappùcciu), are local men who are very proud and respected amongst their neighbors. Each having a very specific roll to perform.
Some serve as Apostles confreres who carry the SOS Misterios (items representing the Mysteries) in the procession, while some are the Cantors three choirs of four voices each: the bogi (the tenor), lu bassu (the bass), lu contro (the alto) and lu falzittu (the falsetto). The songs performed are of pre-Gregorian origin and enchanting to witness being performed in such a place… To see them sing in their circles, each man preforming the songs of generations before them, remembering their very specific cadence and tonal changes, long segments of remarkable endurance was moving.
The day is a long one….
(CONTINUED in Comments Below…)
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#lunissanti #sosmisterios
#Confraternitadelloratoriodisantacroce
#castelsardo #castelsardoturismo
#sardegna #sardinia
#holyweek #sardiniantradition
#faithcomesinallforms
#tergu #italianromanesque

Easter in Sardinia is a very special time, today b

Easter in Sardinia is a very special time, today being Palm Sunday kicks off the Holy Week traditions. And here in Sardinia, like most parts of the old world, food is such a huge part of celebrating, their love of baked goodies comes alive at Easter time! Today at Palm Sunday events I found Italian Girl Scouts with bake sale tables set up selling fresh loaves of traditional of Pane Coccorroi locally by my friend’s mother. Sometimes referred to as Pane di Pasqua (Easter Bread)This is a traditional decorated Italian holiday yeast bread that usually contains hard boiled eggs—baked right into the bread. It’s often eaten as a snack with honey or jam.
It is believed that Pane di Pasqua was created as a way to celebrate the end of the Lenten fast, which traditionally forbids the consumption of rich and indulgent foods. Palm Sunday, based upon a story of celebration makes this lovely yeast bread with fresh local honey perfecto for Pasqua !
Part of this months journey is hoping to see even a few of the many beautiful and extremely special Easter traditions that can be found in nearly every small village and town across this island. This morning I made my way to the starting-church of the local Palm Sunday procession in Bosa, following the locals all carrying handfuls & bags of palms, laurel, wild flowers and various greenery from their homes, all to be blessed by the priest before following the procession through the medieval narrow streets.Seeing some of the lovely locals I’ve met over the past few days, smiling & nodding Buongiorno as they spotted me in the crowd.
The main men of the church decked out in their bright red cloaks leading the group to the Cathedralcarrying a large cross, a young man walking in the crowd singing ancient traditional hymns along the way with his handy modern blue tooth speakers projecting the holy songs to the furthest back of the procession. Locals sitting in cafes along the way standing in respect as the cross passed by.
For me, a peaceful morning of reverence for Boza’s traditions & lifestyle.
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#palmsunday #pasquale #holyweek #eastertraditions #pasqualetradizione #sardegnatradizioni #sardinia
#panedipasqua
#eatgoodlivewellenjoylife

Tonight was a night made for a documentary! Sittin

Tonight was a night made for a documentary! Sitting here listening to these men of the local organized choral club, practicing for the upcoming Holy Week… from the first note in that quiet piazza, emotions bubbled to the surface. The 4 part harmonies rattle the core, moved me though I had no clue what they were singing this tradition is special here in Bosa & how lucky for me to be in this moment! This entire trip has been me basically stumbling into new friendships that present amazing moments. Tonight was astounding!
My bnb host msg’d me to inform me of the locale Canto (local choir) practice that was happening tonight… I had plans to drive over the hill to a neighboring village to watch an Easter holiday procession , but those plans immediately changed. This choir,
Bosa Sardinia’s throat harmony singing (aka ‘cantu a tragiu’)is special. There is no written history of origin or reason or even of the songs about it, it’s a practice of life here in Bosa and has been passed on to generation after generation orally. Most of the music traces back to the 16th century, after the Council of Trent, when through Franciscan monks, Jesuits and others, the practice of falsobordone was brought to Sardinia. Tragiu singing as it is known, is a polyphonic practice based on four male voices: bassu (the lowest voice), contra, tenor and cuntraltu. Normally each part is given to a soloist but, during the rites of Holy Week, it is customary to sing with more than one person per part. And although most of the songs are religious, I was told that there are some that are story telling or love songs of every day life.
And it’s a bit renegade as well!! After the group practice my new friend Paolo, invited me to come along to a back alley/ guerrilla group practice (where there was a woman singing along!!! This is shocking actually) We wound ourselves through the back medieval alleys to one of many of Bosa’s private bars, hole in the walls that don’t exist 😉.What a night! A night that my head will hit the pillow after many mini glasses of vino, the rhythmic & melodic echos of the evenings voices lulling me to slumber. Dreams are meant to be of Bosa, I’m sure of it!
#bosasardegna

A quiet cup of late afternoon coffee turns into a

A quiet cup of late afternoon coffee turns into a “moment” … as I follow along a traditional Lenten procession called Procession of the Mysteries (Is Misterius),in Bosa Sardinia …. Follow the moments! .
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#sardegna #tradizionidellasardegna #sardiniantraditions #lententradition #lent #lentinsardinia #lentinitaly
#processionofthemysteries
#IsMisterius #followthemoments
#eatgoodlivewellenjoylife

The bad with the good- that is traveling aloof as

The bad with the good- that is traveling aloof as I do.
All the research in the world won’t prepare you for shitty over priced lasagna for lunch, how do you overcome it? You look around, for the positives … you realize - hey it’s shitty lasagna but in Sardinia! AND it comes with access to a private (and empty) beach on a 72 degree late spring afternoon - and your shitty-post-lunch nap is the most hypnotic nap on the sand youve ever experienced… 22€ for shitty lasagne and a beer -WORTH IT for the private beach nap in the sun.
Have I mentioned how amazing Sardinia is?!?!
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#worthit
#makingitwork #findingthegoodinthebad
#halffull #makinglemonade
#beachnap
#bosa #bosasardegna
#eatgoodlivewellenjoylife

I have been intrigued by the tiny medieval village

I have been intrigued by the tiny medieval village of Lollove in Sardinia since stumbling upon a 1950s British Pathé snippet on the web. Tucked back in the hills, a three mile drive up a typical small Sardinian road (curvy, over a mountain, rough with potholes & sheep). I arrived & parked at the bottom & made my way up the old stone path to the medieval church first. Sort of an ethereal moment: looking out from the church yard over the tops of the ancient stone roofs to the green hills capped with grey clouds, the soft ringing of sheep’s bells & the earth spinning was all I could hear.
Shutting the churchyard gate & the very first house I past I heard “Buongiorno!” coming from an upstairs window. An older gentleman, saying hello and welcome to the village. He immediately insisted I come in & have a coffee. As I entered he was descending the steps, warmly waving me into his massive stone kitchen & sitting room. Salvatore was his name. Asking away as he filled the Moka pot, me struggling but semi-succeeding in answering the questions.
I learned that he has a sort of bnb here & the rooms were charming looking. Definitely a stay in a “home”! While there, a lovely couple from a small winery about 20 miles way @cantina_antonio_mele , came to refill his jugs. A normal part of life here, wine delivery (heaven does exsist!!)
This tiny village of Lollove only has about 15 people currently. Lost to time, a dream like location, ancient stone houses most abandoned, neatly stacked along the couple of steep foot paths. The church sits perched at the top, its doors open upon my arrival. Evidence of centuries old worship as well as weekly community ongoings from the little stand by the side door.
The village’s origins are unknown but there is evidence of Nuraghi (1200BC+) nearby & it was/is a valuable water source location for shepherding.
And then there is the story of the curse….
(…CONTINUED IN COMMENTS…)
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#wheretofindmeifidisappear
#favoriteplaces #italianvillages
#sardinianvillage #sardegna
#leggendasarda
#friendlyneighbors
#sardinianhospitality
#eatgoodlivewellenjoylife

Good things come from the heart and the town of Ol

Good things come from the heart and the town of Oliena, in the heart of Sardinia, is overflowing with good things!
Surrounded by the breathtaking Supramonte mountain range and ensconced vast green valleys full of grape vines & olive trees, the natural beauty and farming traditions are as endless as the traditions of hospitality, food and drink and craftsmanship also found in this ancient town.
First mention goes to the wonderful people of this town. 🤍 How fortunate was I to end up at a family owned hotel with a wonderful local-loved cafe/bar below! Guiseppe & Donata were lovely hosts and their cast of regulars were so warm and welcoming to me. Them no english and me basically no Italian, we still enjoyed many laughs. Frenco, a local contractor specializing in church restoration, graciously drove me on an epic afternoon adventure up over the stone path mountain, into the massive & historically important Lanaitho valley where an amazing ancient 3000bc village was to be explored, also stopping by Su Gologone spring, one of the few natural spring sources on this island, beautiful & incredible at over 400 feet deep. Pictures of the jaw dropping beauty could not be captured!
Gianpiero, a local sheep farmer/commercial cheese & sausage maker/with a side business as an excavator, let me ride along on his evening check of the herd of sheep and then took me up his field where one of many Nuraghi exsist, ancient clay pot pieces scattered amongst the ruble and wild fennel.
So much hospitality here, endless coffees & glasses of wine! And so much pride in their home. ❤️ Numerous conversations with friendly locals who mentioned they could never be gone more than a week from their beloved Oliena.
And a good reason could be… THE WINES… specifically from this area are epic!
(… CONTINUED IN COMMENTS…)
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#oliena #olienasardegna #cannonau #vermentino #nepente #nepentedioliena #sheepcheese #carasau #formaggiodipecora #sardegna #pecora
#lanaitho #supramonte #supramontedioliena #sugologone
#heartofsardinia #sardinia
#eatgoodlivewellenjoylife

Across Sardinia’s vast countryside the first thi

Across Sardinia’s vast countryside the first things you notice are the melodic ringing of bells. Livestock is always near… sheep, goats, cows.
Bells in Sardinia are extremely important. Used for livestock as well as for ancient Sardinian religious rituals & although similar to bells in other cultures around the world, Sardinian bells are very special. Especially the bells found in the hilltop village of Tonara. Only 2 families here are still producing Sardinian bells and the Floris family of @campanacci_sardi_floris maybe the most special. On their 4th generation of craftsmen Marco, Salvatore & their father Ignazio are “forgers of sound”, along with their apprentice Luka. Creating bells with meticulous craftsmanship of generational knowledge, naturally mysterious processes & modern day efficiency. The origin of the bells arrival to Sardinian life & rituals is lost to history, but over time the Floris family have perfected and even improved upon their ancestor’s processes. Utilizing recycled materials (like brass empty shells from military shooting ranges) and a zero waste production (used coal/coke ash goes to concrete makers & metal scraps are sold off to a local guy). The number of steps taken to make such a small thing is astounding & the attention to detail with every step is so important to the final product. From the touch of the metal as it’s being shaped, to them digging local clay from a secret vein in the nearby mountains, to the careful packing of bells with sawdust in special graphite vessels, to identifying the correct temperature of the vessel’s firing simply by the behaviour and color of the flame! Astounding to consider that in one year over 25,000 bells are being made in this small forge shop. The patriarch Ignazio himself has likely made over 1.5 million bells since he started at this over 55 years ago. The really amazing final piece of the bell’s magic is… (continued in COMMENTS below!)

#tonara #sardinia #sardo #sardiniantradition #italiantraditions
#floris #blacksmith #forge #oldworldcraftsmanship
#campanaccifloris

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