The Search for the Elusive Etruscans!: Nous Sommes en Corse!

Bonjour!

Up this morning very, very early as we weren’t exactly sure how long it would take us to get to the ferry terminal in Livorno. Everything packed up and moved into the hallway, and we started packing the car about 5:15 am. On the road by 5:30 am and actually got to the ferry terminal about 6 am. We had detoured to Livornoyesterday on our way back from Artimino, but still weren’t sure exactly what we’d be dealing with.

In line for the ferry, which is in the middle of photo

Passing an island on our way to Corsica

Corsica in the background!

On the ferry!

Getting closer to Bastia, where we landed

Our ship!

Stunning mountains!

And LOTS of grapes!

Liquid refreshment!

My Cesar salad!

More liquid at dinner!

Got to the boat with no problems and were fairly close to the beginning of the line. Around 6:45 am they started loading the boat – and seriously, folks, we were on the top layer which meant that we were driving up metal ramps and curving around and around. I seriously did not enjoy that experience, but we were parked in a very good place. Locked up the car and headed upstairs to the lounge area. This is a very big boat! Turns out there is a cafeteria, a bar, a lounge, a café, a boutique and even cabins for those who want a bit of privacy (for a fee, of course). There was WiFi available (for sale) but we basically just read our books on-line and enjoyed the scenery!

We decided on breakfast first, with freshly squeezed O.J. Rhad potatoes and bacon, and I had a pain au chocolat. It is SOhard to remember, after more than a month in Italy, that suddenly, we are in FRANCE! I keep saying graziewhen I should be saying merciand sias opposed to oui! I’ll probably finally get used to it just the time we head back to Rome to fly home! Oh well!

The crossing was very, very smooth, and took about 4 hours. Then it took about another half an hour for us to get off the ship. Once off the boat in Bastia, we headed straight south down the coast to Aleria, about an hour’s drive, where we are tonight. The hotel, l’Empereur, is very nice – air conditioning and hot water and TV!

(Just want to mention that our week in Montepulcianowas TV-less, although there was a TV in the apartment; just didn’t feel the need. But then this past week in Pisa, there was no TV at all – even if we had wanted to watch! So, the first thing I did this afternoon when we checked in was look for sports on TV! Actually, watching grass court tennis from Nottingham in German at the moment! Just nice to have the option!)

We checked in the hotel but as we hadn’t had lunch, and it was after 2 pm, we were starving. And naturally, our hotel stops serving lunch at 2 pm…asked for a recommendation, and we were sent to the beach, a couple of kilometers away. Passed the Post Office on the way there. Found a lovely sandy beach and Restaurant XX202. Robert had spicy mussels, a lotof them – and he very much enjoyed them. I ordered their Cesar salad, which was also good. Battered chicken pieces with good lettuce, parmesan, cherry tomatoes and regular tomatoes. Also had a half bottle of a Corsican white wine. Not quite as good as the whites we have been getting in Italy, but it’s probably too soon to judge!

Back to the hotel, and, as we know where the Post Office is, we decided to take our ever-growing pile of papers, Italian maps and guides there and see if we could get them shipped home. YES!!! SUCCESS!! (Although I probably shouldn’t say that, as they’re not there yet!) We just had so many maps (9) and books/guides (8) and miscellaneous papers, we were never going to be able to get them all home. Fortunately, the French post, which is really excellent, has boxes with the “if it fits, it ships” attitude. On its way to the U.S. tonight!

Back to the hotel for a nap. Decided as our day started really early, we would do that and do Aleria’sarchaeological museum in the morning. Problem discovered is that the internet access here at the hotel is REALLY,REALLYslow, and Robert doesn’t think I am going to be able to post tonight. So, folks, you may actually have a day without me! What a concept!! We are heading to Sartene tomorrow and will be at the same hotel for four nights. Hopefully they will have faster service, as Robert tells me that Corsica is totally McDonald’s free, so we can’t use their free WiFi!