Bonifacio/Corsica, France

Bridge has been so weird as far as this cruise goes. This is the first cruise we have been on that had bridge games on port days.  It is mostly a useless pursuit in trying to get a sanctioned game, because many passengers are on tours. I am doing more directing now, and that gives Michael a break; he can go on a full day excursion or play if the opportunity comes up.  And, it's not everyday that you can sit here and play bridge looking at Mt. Vesuvius!  Today is a bridge day, but after our tour.

Corsicans march to their own drummer.  They are known as rugged, and revered for their courage and conviction to all they call their own -- their land, their family, their island, their history and heritage.  Corsu is the Corsican language and is taught in school, and is similar to Italian.  French is the official language of the island.  I can see a bit of an identity crisis as it is French and Italian.  

Today we visited Bonifacio, a town that dates back to 825AD.  This old medieval town is perched high upon the the limestone cliffs with a maze of narrow and crooked streets.  Citadel walls from the 9th century that surrounded the town from attack are still visable.  The old town and the sea are connected by a 187 step stairway that was cut directly into the stone and is still in use today.  They sure don't build things like that today that can last centuries.  And then there is the part of town built in the lowlands by the natural harbor known as "la marine."  Beaches, marinas, shops and waterfront eateries  are located here.  Napolean Bonaparte was born on Corsica in the town of Ajaccio.

Our tour today was short, but exhausting.  Modern Americans are used to driving, not using their feet to get around.  More about that later.  Both Michael and I were escorts on this excursion.  The ship anchored outside the harbor so we tendered in and immediately transferred to a 38' boat for a sea-going adventure to explore the white cliffs and grottos.

Woo hoo, with wind in my hair and bugs in my teeth, I sat on the open bow of the boat feeling the breeze and saltwater spray on my face.  I had the premo seat as everyone else was sitting in the protection of the aft cabin.  It felt soooo good to be free out on the sea, reminding me of my days on the Water Walker.  Oh how I miss my own boat, but I don't miss the work it entailed.  So enjoying myself, I saw Michael's boat coming abeam of ours.  I waved to him and he waved back, and our skipper took the wake from Michael's boat, flying in the air, and me feeling the joy.  

We saw a boat coming out of a small cave -- impossible to go in there!  But out it came and in we went!  Awesome!  Here is a video of it.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYUD7qyeHs4   We entered the Grotte Sdragonatu, a large cave with hues of amethyst, indigo and gold.  Clear waters and rock walls were adorned with stalactites and impressive arches.  All too soon our sea adventure was over.  

Cruising back to the head of this impressive harbor, we left our boat and got on a wheel-train that climbed the steep hillside to take us to the old town up on the cliffside.  Getting off the train and walking uphill, our guide sat us around a statue telling us stories about Corsica (with no microphone, making it difficult to hear her) -- sitting in the hot sun. Why can't these guides find shade????  Why is everything uphill????  

Now starts the walking tour -- uphill (groan).  We saw a cemetery dedicated to mariners, with massive mausoleums, a church built in 1270, a bunch of old structures, and an incredible view.  Buildings were four or five stories tall with the steepest steps to reach the upper apartments.  I do not know how they would be able to get anything larger than a suitcase up those steep stairs.  There were shops of all kinds on the ground floor.  It was quite charming of a place, but you better know your way around if you want to leave as the narrow and crooked streets go in every direction.

After the tour was over, we had our choice of walking down a steep path or walking to get the train that takes you back to the head of the bay.  I thought the steep path would be a killer on my knees, even though it would put me closer to the tender.  So I opted for the train.  WRONG DECISION!  I wound up having to walk at least a mile to get to the tender carrying the ship's HEAVY USELESS backpack that all escorts have to take, in the heat with no shade.  Needless to say, I was dragging fanny by the time I arrived at the tender.  

After a cool shower and rest, I was ready to direct today's bridge game.  After dinner, I went to bed in order to recuperate, for tomorrow was more touring.