2016-07-16 Esaom Cesa Marina, Portoferraio, Isola d’Elba to Porto Capraia, Isola Capraia

Goodbye to the captain from the motor boat on our starboard side
Goodbye to the friendly non English speaking captain from the motor boat on our starboard side. It is amazing the conversations we had regardless!!
Time to leave the marina and continue our journey
Time to leave the marina and continue our journey
Looking back to Easom Cesa Marina with Monte Capanne in the background
Looking back to Easom Cesa Marina with Monte Capanne in the background
Goodbye to the lovely port of Portoferraio
Goodbye to the lovely port of Portoferraio

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We finally leave Isola d'Elba and head north west towards the island of Capraia which will take us about 3 hours of motoring
We finally leave Isola d’Elba and head north west towards the island of Capraia which will take us about 3 hours of motoring
Looking back to Isola d'Elba where we have spent over 2 weeks this year, not to mention around 10 days last year
Looking back to the wonderful Isola d’Elba where we have spent over 2 weeks this year, not to mention around 10 days last year
Finally we approach the small island of Capraia which is also one of the Islands adjacent to the Tuscan coast
Finally we approach the small island of Capraia which is also one of the Islands adjacent to the Tuscan coast, situated around 32 kms from Elba, 30 kms to Corsica and 62 kms to Livorno
As we approach Capo Ferraione the fort, the white square lighthouse and the old tower stand out
As we approach Capo Ferraione the Genoese fort, the white square lighthouse and the old Genoese watch tower stand out clearly on the cape
The conspicuous fort which is called the Fortress of St George was apparently built by the Genoese in 1540
The conspicuous fort which is called the Fortress of St George was apparently built by the Genoese in 1540
As there were no spaces available in the port, with the assistance of port staff, we moored fore and aft in the bay on their permanent moorings
As there were no spaces available in the port, with the assistance of port staff, we moored fore and aft in the bay on their permanent moorings
This is the first time we have seen this system of mooring while cruising the Med
This is the first time we have seen this system of mooring while cruising the Med
We take the dinghy and do a little tour up a small river where the locals keep their runabouts and dingies
We take our dinghy and do a little tour up a small river by the port where the locals keep their small boats, runabouts and dinghies
Back towards the Tangaroa and then we go into the main port
Back towards the Tangaroa and then we go into the main port

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Pretty pastel coloured houses line the foreshore of Porto Capraia
Pretty pastel coloured houses line the foreshore of Porto Capraia
Church of the Assunta is situated close to the port
Church of the Assunta is situated close to the port
The simple interior of the Church of the Assunta
The simple interior of the Church of the Assunta
We caught the bus to the town above the port and got off in the main town square
We caught the bus to the town above the port and got off in the main town square
Church of St Nicola in the main square in the upper town
Church of St Nicola in the main square in the upper town
The fortress is built on a huge solid rock outcrop overlooking the water
The fortress is built on a huge solid rock outcrop overlooking the water
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From the walls of the fortress graduating down and joined by channels are large deep rectangular and square troughs carved into the rock. Perhaps created for water runoff from the walls for collection and storage or even used for bathing or washing in past times
Great views of the sea from here
Great views of the sea from here

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We pass a very upmarket hotel with guests very relaxed overlooking the sea
We pass a very upmarket hotel with guests very relaxed overlooking the sea

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The blue and white colour theme certainly stands out!!
The blue and white colour theme certainly stands out!!
Chiesa del Carcere di Capraia
The facade of the Chiesa del Carcere di Capraia appears to have recently been restored
A great corner store that sells everything from vegetables to oven mittens!!
A great mini market that sells everything from vegetables to oven mittens!!

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When we came back down to the port we noticed the boats were starting to fill up the port
When we came back down to the port we noticed the boats were starting to fill up the berths
We head back to the Tangaroa to freshen up for dinner at La Garitta at 9 pm
We head back to the Tangaroa to freshen up for dinner at La Garitta at 9 pm
The harbour is tightly packed tonight with visiting yachts
The harbour is tightly packed tonight with visiting yachts

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On recommendation from an Italian boat owner who spends a lot of time around Capraia, we book a table at La Garitta
On recommendation from an Italian boat owner who spends a lot of time around Capraia, we book a table at La Garitta
An interesting mural on the staircase leading to the restaurant
An interesting mural on the staircase leading to the restaurant
What a pleasant surprise it was to be lead to a table in the restaurant which was again up another level, outside in open air and with a wonderful view of the surrounding bay
What a pleasant surprise it was to be led to a table in the restaurant which was again up another level, outside in the open air and with a wonderful view of the surrounding bay
A fabulous view of the bay from our table, including a glimpse of the Tangaroa
A fabulous view of the bay from our table, including a glimpse of the Tangaroa
Again Ric chooses a nice vino rosso to have with our dinner tonight
Again Ric chooses a nice vino rosso to have with our dinner tonight
Our share entree was a combination of steamed mussels, prawns and calamari which we all delicious
Our share entree was a combination of freshly steamed mussels, prawns and calamari which were all delicious
Tonight we have the swordfish cooked in the oven with potatoes and tomatoes
Tonight we have the swordfish cooked in the oven with potatoes and tomatoes
The panna cotta dessert we shared was amazing with the melted dark chocolate on top
The panna cotta dessert we shared was amazing with the melted dark chocolate on top
We were pleased with this delightful restaurant which was recommended to us. The food was fresh and good, the staff were efficient and friendly and the venue was certainly wonderful
We were pleased with this delightful restaurant which was recommended to us. The food was fresh and good, the staff were efficient and friendly and the venue was certainly wonderful
Back in the dinghy carefully for our trip to the Tangaroa moored in the bay
Back in the dinghy carefully for our trip to the Tangaroa moored in the bay

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