Ogliastra is a land of rare beauty and it always strikes anyone with its white sand beaches, wild and mysterious mountainside and with its warm welcome.

Whoever had the chance to be there for their vacations knows it well, there are infinite options in terms of places to explore and dishes to taste. Wearing just a pair of flip flops and a swimming suit, we wake up in the morning with just one goal: having an unforgettable day and choosing a menu that will make it even more special. Roaming the streets of Tortolì we spot M’Ama Poke sign, which can’t go unnoticed because of its vivid colors. It’s the only place in Ogliastra where you can find the Poke bowl, an Hawaiian recipe with rice or salad, fish, vegetables, fruit and other dressings. A tasty, complete and healthy dish.

Here’s the solution for our inflatable raft trip: an alternative to the classic sandwich, easy to take with us and suitable for all the members of the crew, from children to adults!

In front of the counter there is an infinite selection of ingredients. Tasty chicken morsels and salmon or tuna filet, local vegetables, exotic beans (edamame in particular), sweet or spicy dressings to mix and taste together with rice or salad. We order our bowl, which is the dish that typically contains the poke, guided by the staff’s advice, that helps us make our “creation”.

Adding some protein source, carbs and topping, our order is quickly filled in and in the blink of an eye the bowl is ready. We add some crunch to the dish with pistachio crumbs, almond chips and kataifi pastry. Too much? Absolutely not, with the thousands of options that M’Ama Poke offers, it’s impossible not to yield and try every ingredient, and the best part of it, it’s doing it lightheartedly because they’re all extra fresh and zero food miles.

While we pack our meal in the cooling bag, we find out that M’Ama Poke, other than serving customers in Tortolì, delivers everywhere. If you book the service the night before, you can receive your Poke, accompanied by a fresh fruit salad or a dessert, directly to the harbor, just before starting a trip on a motor vessel or on an inflatable raft, or you can have it delivered under your beach umbrella, in nearly every beach in Ogliastra.

We finish our experience saying bye to Kevin, Sara and all the staff at M’ama Poke, who are ready to welcome you everyday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.!

Sant’Antonio Abate, celebrato il 17 gennaio, è il santo patrono degli animali domestici e simbolo delle tradizioni contadine. I fuochi accesi in tutta l’Ogliastra servono a simboleggiare la purificazione e la protezione dei raccolti e del bestiame.

Villagrande Strisaili lo celebra anche quest’anno. Poco fa, nella piazza della chiesa, è stato acceso il fuoco al termine della processione e della Santa Messa celebrata da Don Giuliano Pilia: un rito che coinvolge ogni gennaio tutta la comunità.

La festa, organizzata dalla Parrocchia San Gabriele Arcangelo e dalla leva 1982, ha visto un Triduo di messe nei giorni 14, 15 e 16 gennaio. I villagrandesi, con grande impegno, hanno preparato la legna, allestito la piazza e curato ogni dettaglio, dimostrando la dedizione con cui custodiscono questa tradizione.

Durante la celebrazione in piazza, la messa è stata seguita dalla benedizione degli animali e del fuoco. A breve la distribuzione de “sa paniscedda”, dolce tipico offerto dai fedeli come gesto di gratitudine.

La festa proseguirà con musica e balli sardi.

Fuoco S.Antonio, Villagrande PH Luca Casari

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