Monday, September 14, 2009 in Marseille
is that we will embark on the Jean Nicoli, the SNCM.
port of Marseille is immense. Fortunately, after time to visit the Canebière, climb up to Notre Dame de la Garde and enjoy a good couscous restaurant Kahena the Old Port, we arrived early. After the rally in a parking lot SCNM, we followed a stream of cars headed for Corsica and we arrived at the foot of John Nicoli. As soon as we entered by car in the hold of Ferrie, Elias said:''It's like being in a large underground car park, but not in a boat.'' That was exactly it.
Each passenger may descend from his vehicle, took his belongings for the night and headed to the receipt of Ferrie. A hostess distributes the keys of the cabins. Ours is on the bridge number 8. IT is 4:30 p.m. ET we wait to discover. We also look forward to see the outside decks and different parts of this big boat. This is the first time we leave, not France, but his continent and a kind of excitement, we win. Around four o'clock we took our little stamp mercalm''''which is aptly named. Thanks to him and the sea calm, everything will be fine.
arrived in the heights of the ship, we discover our cabin. The opening of the door made a push to Eliane ''Hou-la-la''admiration. This is luxury. The space is large, the coating quality and the view takes in the skyline. It's too good for us!
Ravis, we leave to the discovery of Nicoli and stay on the bridge where we perceive as far Marseille. It is nice and the time will soon come to photograph the sunset blush. We musardons a bridge to the other and until lunchtime at the restaurant Nicoli, we take our brands within the vessel. Passing the bar and lounge area with video games and shop, we better measure the importance This floating hotel ...
About 22 hours after a final pass over the bridge, we return to our cabin. The night will be like the sea: Quiet.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009, 6:30.
The day has not yet risen. The way the captain announces that we are approaching the port of Porto-Vecchio. We need to be docked at 7:30. The shower made quickly, we put our bags and go out on deck to enjoy our first images of Corsica. The port of Porto-Vecchio, is not comparable with that of Marseille. IT is a human scale. The landing is done quickly. We are among the first out and decide to have breakfast in the city. Coffee Pmu welcomes us. The closure of a class to Ajaccio for suspected H1N1, is the topic of conversation amongst customers. History
to stretch their legs and take the height, we will begin our visit with a hike on the prehistoric site of Castellu Araghju, north of Porto-Vecchio. In the hamlet of Araghju, a trail crosses a brook, now dry and becomes a steep path lined with stone walls and paved in the bush. From the ruins of the fortress that dominates the village, we have a beautiful view of the coastline and Porto-Vecchio.
Revenues from our point of departure, we decided to see the most beautiful beaches (that Saying this prospectus) Corsica: Palombaggia and Santa Giulia. Two things to remember: They are difficult to find and the pink granite contrasts nicely with the turquoise water. We also perceive our first straw ... The walk
hungry. Fortunately between Palombaggia and Santa Giulia on the heights, restaurant pizzeria, we seem sympathetic. On our menu: Plates of charcuterie and cheeses Corsican Corsican. The terrace bordered by pine trees, overlooking the sea, the waitresses are friendly (a rarity at other times) and we feasted. All is well!
After a stroll on the beach of Santa Giulia, we take the direction of Bonifacio where we'll spend two nights at the hotel and Sole Mare. From the road that rises above Santa Giulia, we have beautiful views and large properties. At the same houses''stars''that can be seen in celebrity magazines. Here, in these people, I do not know if we talk of crisis ...
way, we arrive at Bonifacio. Our hotel is on the harbor, opposite the imposing citadel. Wonderful!
16 hours
The sky is overcast but the temperature remains pleasant. After the discovery of port and shops and day-trippers from the sea, next to a boat trip around Bonifacio, we climb the stairs (ugh, not bare hands) the cliffs of Bonifacio. Top, good show: On one side the old town of Bonifacio and its citadel overlooking the sea, on the other cliffs which mark the lowest point in Corsica and France ...
7:30 p.m.
We are looking for a restaurant when the storm makes us turn back. Two hours later, when rain and lightning have ended, we cross the harbor walk and choose to dine beside the dock at Bonifacio.
Wednesday, September 16 8:30
After the rain of the night, the sun is up. We lunch on the terrace bar of the dock'',''just below the citadel. In Bonifacio, the price / quality ratio is good. Promptly given the uncertain weather the coming days, we're looking for a star who can show us Bonifacio from the sea, but also visit the caves, cliffs and coves. San Miguel will be this one. His reel customers we moved out at 15 euros instead of 17.5. Stamp''''mercalm taken (you never know ...) we climb board for an output of an hour.
We leave the harbor overlooking the ramparts and after passing the lighthouse Madonetta, the star enters the cave Sdragonato. A cave whose roof lets see the sky in a cutout in the shape of Corsica.
We then make a detour through the creeks Fazzio, where divers practice their passion. No wonder when you see the transparency and color of the water.
The star then returns to Bonifacio, past the beach Paraguana (where you can clearly see the edge of the limestone and pink granite rocks which border on the coast), then along the cliffs that bear'''' Bonifacio. It can be seen on the stairs of King Aragon (diagonal path into the cliff) and the spectacular site of the old city perched on the cliff Bonifacio.
This boat trip that we had much recommended, let us have very good memories and beautiful images in memory.
11 hours
The late morning approach, we decided to climb the ramp leading to the upper town (ouch calves). Following the plan provided by the tourist office, we perform a detailed inspection of the old city and the seaside cemetery and take our meals at Rustic before reaching our hotel at about 14:30.
Hardly time to recharge the batteries and so we left to explore the beaches of the area. Those of Cala di Tonnara and Paragnano are very difficult to find. They are beautiful to the eye, but too deep for swimmers who we are. So we return to the hotel and we swim in the pool ...!
Tonight we dine in the canteen grill. This is the name of a restaurant recommended by the backpacker. You eat soup Corsican, fish and cheeses. Before going to bed,''we''Badon fine and large boats are on display on the banks of Bonifacio. A bit like St. Tropez. The day was busy. Lights out after watching Night 3.
Thursday, September 17 8:00
The Corsican food and wine last night have left marks. This morning at dawn, I bar (front). After the breakfast in the bar of the dock, we loaded our bags and take the direction of Ajaccio. The route passes through Sartene. We visited this town in''good character''Corsica, where the old line the benches of the square. If you dare (but dare not) one would like to invite to sit down on a bench and stop time, such as those here seem to know it. After
Sartene, which is located inland, we return to the coast and before Propriano, we turn away a little of our way to reach the tower site of Campo Moro. We park the car and hike up the tower and do the tour .... The color of the water, the rocks and the beauty of the site and all it takes for us to fall in love with the place.
It is 14 o'clock, when our tour ends and it has given us hungry!
It's Gull, a brasserie on the seafront, Campo Moro, we make a salad from the sea, before dashing back to the car suits and towels to enjoy the beach which makes us the eye and its water at 25 °. Here too, many divers because the water is extremely pure. Eliane, despite the fear of non-compliance with sufficient time for digestion, it also drains the water and swim (yes, you read correctly) breaststroke. After drying for our tired old bodies (Gérard speak for yourself) we leave for Propriano and Ajaccio. In the road sector, the straight line does not exist! But the landscape is beautiful!
17 hours
arrived in Ajaccio, we cross the city without stopping, because it is very nice and we want to see Sanguinaires under the sun. For that, we go to the tip of Parata. To get there we drive along the northern Gulf coast, where lie the residential districts. Among other things, we pass the ownership of Tino Rossi. An observation: Tino tasted good! Parata
Tower is a magnificent view of Ajaccio and Sanguinaires. Of course, the tower has no elevator, but the climb is worth the look. The contours of a steep and very dark red, contrasting with the blue sea and sky. Only regret, that unable to wait for the sunset which, as stated in the Green Guide,''the barrier islands with a warm tan color red.''
7:30 p.m.
We here at the hotel Albyon in the center of Ajaccio, near the old city. After a brief passage in the shower, we leave in the old Ajaccio. Restaurant Gulf seduces us on the port. In reality it is the perfect restaurant for tourists. Too bad, it is mild, the air is good and it is! Before returning to the hotel, the turning lanes of the old town (and guide in hand), we pass the birthplace of Napoleon.
10:30 p.m.
Before lights out, we prepare the next day's stage, which should be plentiful ...
Friday, September 18 7:30
Lever and breakfast at the hotel Albyon. Then start to Calvi, through Cargese Sagone, Porto and Piana ... An endless road, despite the (only) 162 miles that separate Ajaccio Calvi. Fortunately every turn offers a new enchanting. This even despite the mist and light drizzle of the day. The Calanques of Piana taversée amazes us. Rather said the head of a dog, windbreakers threaded through a path staircase, carved into the rocks, we climbed through the maze to the platform of the castle. The view of the Cove and the Gulf of Girolata is great, but we must continue our road to Calvi.
14 hours
Col de la Croix, we make a new stop because despite the good breakfast in the morning, the hunger is there! Given time, the water is put in the car .... History digest and see new horizons, we walk up to a 360 degree panorama, which is located at the top of the neck. An orientation table allows us to situate the Scandola Reserve, which stretches out before us. The red of its rocks that emerges from the mist, seems to invite us to visit. We would love to, but information taken from the hotel located near the aquarium Porto, time does not lend itself. Too bad, but when we get back to Corsica (Yes, yes, it is viewed!) The discovery of the Scandola reserve boat will be in the program.
It remains only forty miles before coming to Calvi, but we see no end. Laces in the highest road, the fog appears and forces us to ride code ...
16 hours
Finally arrived at the Hotel St. Christopher where we will spend 3 nights!
's good luck! Hotel Saint Christophe is in the city of Calvi next to the citadel. Our room overlooking the sea is at the same level as the pool, which we access directly from our terrace. It's great. We're not used to such luxury. Without this birthday, we would never have dared to stay in Saint Christopher ...
Happy, but exhausted by the trip, we decided to take our dinner at the hotel restaurant. It is a Logis de France. We will not regret it ... The setting, service and food are perfect. We particularly pleased that during our dinner, a thunderstorm raged over Calvi, repeatedly cutting the lights of the city.
Before we sleep, we decide that tomorrow will be a day''cool. In the evening we find Mary and Philip Delpey, a couple of nice-Basque-Aude Toulouse, who start their holiday in Corsica.
Saturday, December 19 8:00
The night was restorative. Missed the flight Ajaccio - Calvi of yesterday. The day starts well: The breakfast is gourmet. A treat!
For now, the goal is to identify the restaurant evening where we will dine with Mary and Philip. Lawrence Recarte butcher friend, good mushroom collector, taught us the Sugar Loaf, a straw hut at the output of Calvi, on the beach, on the road Loumio. The hotel receptionist advised us on his side two restaurants in Calvi, For good friends, and U Minellu rue Clemenceau, the church square. We first go to the Sugar Loaf. The place is extra and the beach too, but the hut is booked for the day for a wedding. No luck!
The other two restaurants we seem to agree, but we'll see tonight with Mary and Philip. From
Back at the hotel, we descend on the rocks, right outside our room, we bathe. A swimmer neighbor, is burned by a jellyfish. Shortly after, we take the height, direction the hotel pool where there should not be a jellyfish. You've probably already noticed, but we're not warriors! A short time
rain threatens, we return to the room and nibble on the terrace.
15 hours
After a little rest, we start to attack the citadel of Calvi. We visit all the monuments and take the pleasure of enjoying a coffee in the tearoom located opposite the cathedral. The owner is friendly (which is rare in Corsica) and the place is cozy. Since the living room window, the view that it was on the port is a real vivid picture. Two lanes
lowest we enter into the oratory where a concert is held polyphonic singing. The Corsican songs mingle with Sardinian, the Bulgarian and Siberia. It's special, but very pleasing to the ear and the exercise must be particularly difficult. The phone rings. Mary gives us visit the tourist office is just time to move on to the hotel for refurbishment and 19:15, we find Friends at the tourist office. Together, we choose the U Minellu for dinner. It is a typical Corsican restaurant. The dishes are well prepared and friendly atmosphere. Suddenly, when the restaurant serves the lights go out. Elias believes a new power failure, as before, and exclaimed:''That's it, go again!''. The servers are approaching, cake and candle in hand, singing''Happy Birthday''. Thus
Eliane celebrated his birthday in Calvi!
The evening ends by strolling through the streets of Calvi. We give an appointment to Philip and Mary the next morning at 9:30 at their campsite Beaver, then to go hiking near Saint Florent.
Sunday, September 20 9:30
After an early breakfast overlooking the rocks and fishing, we go to meet Philip and Mary Beaver at the campsite. Then, along the sea towards St. Florent, 70 miles north of Calvi and the foot of Cap Corse. The road
always a little winding through the desert Agriates, where not a soul seems to live and where the rock dominates.
At the entrance of Saint-Florent, we leave the main road to borrow a bumpy logging road. We access to parking, the starting point of the coastal path, a path along the sea towards the south.
Despite a billboard ban which is supposed to forget last week, backpack securely, we attack the trail.
Around 12:45 pm we came out on a beach, nestled in a cove where water and sand invite us to put our bags and trade our shorts and swimwear splash ... And, here we are in the big blue, which does has never worn that name as well. The bath has given us hungry. This is great, because it's time to eat. A granite rock will act. Philippe fate sausage, salads, chips, cheese and bread (no wine for the effort). We enjoy chatting merrily in the head in the sun and feet in water.
After the picnic, we do not push further hike the coastal path. It should keep for another time! And, we take the way back to Saint Florent. A stop at a bar in the port and then we come to the beach Lozari, hoping to find the hut-blue Mobi dick, taught by Lawrence's friend butcher Cross Bream. We find it, but it also pulled the curtain. So here we are again in a road car to climb which will lead us in San Antonino.
This old village is built on the rock at the top of the mountain. It seems seclusion. A bit like the passage of time had no effect on the promontory. We would like to be able to stroll a bit more, but Elias notes that''must leave before the night.'' She's right, with the Corsicans you never know ...
After a stint in the hut of the Sugarloaf, still closed, but very attractive, so we are heading towards Calvi and decide to have dinner with Mary and Philip, the Good Friends, Clemenceau Street. The time for the hotel, change us and give us a comb (not me), arrived at Good Friends, there is only one free table. Phew! It was time. The evening was very enjoyable. Only downside for Philip: A German seated overlooking our plates, a little irritated Philip! After having escorted to the hotel, Philip and Mary, we want a good return to Toulouse. In exchange, we predict their one week ... sunny
Tired but happy with our day spent with Philip and Mary, we return to the hotel. Along the way, we realize that tomorrow is closed!
Monday, September 21, 2009 7:30
Third and last breakfast at the Hotel Saint Christophe. We savor contemplating the sea and then looped bags loaded into the trunk of Picasso, we head to Red Island, instead of boarding a ship to Corsica Ferries to rally the continent in Toulon. Incidentally, in Calvi, we post the last postcard. It was time!
The road to Ile Rousse is always enjoyable to go. And Ile Rousse is aptly named. Under the sun, its ocher rocks plunging into the sea and appear to engulf them. After finding a spot in a parking lot near the point boarding, we climb to the lighthouse at the tip of the Ile Rousse. From there, the view over the city, but also towards Calvi and coastal islands.
12 hours
Shortly before noon, we tour the covered market (very expensive). A little later, a wine cellar attracts us. We penetrate to buy wine for our myrtle two young couples and Corsican wine that we have discovered and appreciated during this stay. Before joining the board, we make a last dip on the beach of Ile Rousse. The wind begins to strength and we can imagine a stormy sea ..
We start at 15 o'clock, but at 13:45 we're already at the pier. Shortly after, our ship docked. In the small port of Ile Rousse, it seems giant. We board. After a few minutes late, the Ferris cast off at 15.15.
We must come to Toulon at 21:30. As one way, once the boarding formalities completed, we visit the ship from starboard to port side and bottom. And yes,''''mercalm was the foot and the verb sailor!
Knowing that we have planned not to sleep at Toulon, but to rally to Narbonne Plage to get our foot-to-earth and spend the night, we decided to ask in our cabin for a nap. To 19 hours, we rise and go to self pick up a small meal included in the travel package. At 19:30 on our right, we see the foothills of the coast, we'll follow up Toulon. From 21 hours, we are ready to land and are only waiting for orders to reach our car. They will arrive on time. At 21:30, the deer (that's the impression it gives) will be released in the port of Toulon. Tom Tom Scheduled, Narbonne Plage, I keep an eye on the road and the other on him. I also have an ear for Paulette (voiced by Tom Tom), and one for Elias, my other radio guide!
Tuesday, September 22
1 hour
... We reach the port of Narbonne-Plage.
Honestly, it was a great trip, we're really glad to be gone. I think we'll come back!
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