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Scorching Corsica
we docked at around 12 noon in Ajaccio the capital city of Corsica. The late start gave us time for a lay in but also meant that the temperatures had risen to an incredible 35-36 degrees. It was gorgeous (well I thought so!)
Blue skies with hardly any clouds and a really lovely harbour filled with the most opulent looking yachts I have ever seen in my life. There was one which must have been worth several million, it was called "golden waves" and was painted gold and black....it was huge and, as we sauntered past, there was what looked like a family on board preparing for a day trip. The city itself is very close to where we port and it does not take long to walk from the ship and then be amongst the main shops and market type stalls. Both David and I said that the scenery and the vibe reminded us of a Caribbean town.
The buildings were colourful and the shutters on the windows added to the colonial feel of the place.
Ajaccio,
Corsica is a French island but the overriding influence seemed to be Italian in my opinion. Whilst the locals all spoke French, the food and architecture seemed more in keeping with a quaint Italian sea-side town than a French city.
Whatever the influence, we all fell in love with the place almost instantly. I think Barcelona had been a slight disappointment because of how late everything seemed to open but Corsica was bustling and vibrant right from the moment we set foot on shore to the moment we returned to the ship.
We did go on a short tour today which involved a, thankfully, air conditioned coach ride along the coastal road and up to a statue of Napoleon who is Corsica's most famous son. They moan about him a lot and many do not like talking about him....but most Corsican people accept that it is old Napoleon who brings in a lot of the tourists!! The coast line of this Mediterranean island moved seamlessly from powder like white sand beached round to rugged rocks and deep turquoise seas.
The island is covered in huge mountains which overlook the city and many of these mountains were in view as we toured around the coast on the coach. The last part of this journey was on foot and up quite a steep hill but everyone made it despite the heat! David, Gary and I even managed to climb the fifty or so steep steps which lead from the ground up to the statue. The view from the top was stunning but I do not blame Barbara for wanting to sit that particular part of the trip out! The heat was sapping and the sun relentless but with the coastal breeze, I found that it was more bearable than Barcelona. (not sure the others agreed with me!!)
Once the coach trip was over we headed out on foot into the city again. Some of the streets were built on deep slopes which added to the quaint appeal of this place. It was nice to slip off into one of the more shaded side streets to escape the sun and also to explore some of the local merchandise. David and Gary both found Corsican Whisky which they bought. Barbara found a nice shawl and I bought a new .......dress!!! yes a dress!!
We stopped for two beers during the rest of the afternoon and then headed on back to the ship for a well earned break. I would recommend Corsica as a simply gorgeous place to visit. I would come back here in a heart beat.
I learned today that my grasp of French is not as good as the locals seemed to think it was. Whilst looking at shawls for Barbara on a market stall....I asked, in French of course, how much the item was. The seller looked ecstatic as he then asked "aaaaah tu parlez francais??!" I hurriedly told him that I only spoke a little but it was too late....he was off, chattering away, holding up the shawl sideways and pointing to it and then turning it over, still chatting away and pointing. I still don't have a clue what he was saying but still....we bought the shawl. O-o
I think my accent is what causes the locals to believe I speak more French than I actually can. Whilst I have the accent nailed, my comprehension and vocabulary is waaaay behind. I can just about manage:- "i speak a little French, my dad is French, slow down....and 4 beers please." We got by though and I did teach and insist that Barbara used "Merci" instead of thankyou. she did try!
we have another early start tomorrow and so will sign off until tomorrow evening.Corsica...... Tres Tres bien. Beautiful!
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