David's Diary: Saturday, May 1, 2004

Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy

We woke up on our first full day in Cagliari to the sounds of a big festival. All through Europe, May 1st is the Labour Day holiday. In Cagliari, it is also the festival of Sant Efisio, the saint that is credited with saving the city more than four hundred years ago.

Figurehead of the S. Mircea

Parade for Sant Efisio

Elaborate costumes

Big hats

Crowds take in the parade

Horses are dressed too

Trotting down the main street

Crowds throng the sidewalk

Candy for sale...

Along with lots of other sweets

Personal service

Bright balloons reach for the sky

Food vendor

Liens and carpets for sale (carpets look Tunisian)

You want sausages?

Jewellery stall

Pottery (looks more Tunisian than Italian)

Bruce, Marian, and David enjoy lunch next to the main square

An old man dozes in the sunshine

Elephant Gate...

Towers over the street

Cars parked next to the old fortified wall

Roof top garden in the centre of the city

Cathedral di Santa Maria

Cagliari Harbour with war ships

Basketball Court

Athletic centre

Roof of Cathedral di Santa Maria

Ceiling details

Side chapel in the cathedral