Saved the Best for Last!

Porto Vecchio on Corsica (La Corse) was the last stop on our cruise before we reached Nice.  It turned out, for me at least, to be one of the best.  From the research I’d done before the cruise it seemed the best place to visit from our port was the town of Bonifacio. I'd posted something on one of the Azamara Facebook sites to see if anyone wanted to go there with me and I connected with a couple from Ontario named Laura and Bob.  Over the ensuing weeks, Laura and I worked out a plan so we could do it.

Bonifacio is on the southern tip of Corsica. It’s known for its lively marina and medieval clifftop citadel.  The 13th-century Bastion de l’Etendard houses a small museum with exhibits on the town’s history.  L’Escalier du Roi d’Aragon is 187 ancient steps carved into the cliff face.  It is possible walk down and up these steps for a fee but you have to wear a helmet if you do as it is easy to hit your head on the projecting rocks.  Needless to say, I wouldn't be any doing that.  To the southeast, the uninhabited Lavezzi Islands, a nature reserve, have granite boulders and sandy beaches. 

Laura, Bob and I had decided we wanted to visit this part of the island rather than just wander around Porto Vecchio.  However, it was clear from comments I’d read online that you couldn’t rely on public transportation to get there.  So, I booked a taxi in advance for €75 each way.  Sharing that with Bob and Laura was perfect.  Our driver was great and I spoke French with her most of the way.  The drive only took 30 minutes and we’d left at 8:30 so we had lots of time to wander around the harbour before our boat trip at 10:30.  The boat trip cost 34 euros.  What was interesting is that a similar ship shore excursion to Bonifacio which may or may not have included a two-hour boat ride was something like $165 USD which is around $250 CAD.  Our trip including the transportation to and from Porto Vecchio, the boat ride, and the ticket for the train up to the town cost 90 euros or about $130 CAD.  Good reason to do independent tours when you can!

The harbour in Bonifacio is really pretty and self-contained with the fortress overlooking it.  There were lots of sailors there and, later when we saw all the sailboats lining up during our boat tours, we found out there was a regatta.

After taking lots of pictures, I headed for the boat and it was a good thing as they were boarding early. I managed to get us a row of seats at the back for us which was perfect.  Sailing out of the harbour and along the coastline was absolutely stunning.  First, after we went through the narrow exit from the harbour, we went by some caves carved into the cliffs by the waves over thousands of years.  The striated rocks were amazing and I couldn't take enough pictures as we went along the coast.

Then, we reached the famous white cliffs that Bonifacio sits on the top of.  We got a great view of the stairs of King Aragon - and the photo shows how incredibly steep and narrow they are.  

From there we continued on to more amazing scenery.  I have never seen rock formations like the ones that surrounded us in the Lavezzi Islands that are a nature reserve.  We also saw San Bainzo Island and Cavalo Island, the latter is inhabited and on it, there is a hotel, restaurants, an aerodrome and numerous villas.  It is nicknamed “Reserve of the Billionaires”. The trip was fantastic but the most frustrating thing was my iPhone battery was nearly drained so I couldn’t take as many photos as I wanted.  Also, it meant that I got no photos of Cavalo Island.  However, Bob and Laura were taking lots and they promised to send me theirs.  Fingers crossed that happens.  

Back in Bonifacio, we took “Le Petit Train” for €6 up to the town.  I was tired so I sat in a bar and had a glass of wine while Bob and Laura explored it.  They said it was okay but that I hadn’t missed much.  By then, it was close to 2 pm so we headed to the pick-up point by the carousel.  Ikrim, the driver we’d had in the morning, was waiting for us.  

We were back at the dock about 2:30 and boarded the ship for the last time.  Back on the ship, it was time to pack and get organized.  I did take some photos of the ship's public areas along with some of the crew who were so good to me - Bargo (no idea how to spell his name) and Jeffrey, the waiter in the dining room.  Last photo with me in it is Martin, the Cruise Director, Abby, the Assistant Cruise Director, and Elle (can't remember her title).  The cruise had been great and it was going to be a bit bittersweet to disembark in Nice the next day.