After three weeks in Corsica it is with mixed feelings that we find ourselves in a big busy city. After the relaxed mediterranean lifestyle Paris seems difficult to take.
Not to recap too much about the last three weeks about the'Island of Beauty' but here are a few themes on our journey through Corsica:
The GR20
It is difficult to describe those 9 days of gruelling hiking - well some parts are difficult to call hiking! I've put a few shots of the scenery and the terrain to help describe it. Ultimately, Julie and I came out of it without too many injuries (except a blister or two and a sore knee or two). I use the injury reference because it was a bit surprising to see how many folks on this trail were banged-up with head, knee, foot injuries... Julie gave several treatments along the way.
If I drew a elevation gain/loss profile of each days hike it would simply look like a sharp wave going up in the morning anywhere from 700 to 1200 meters and usually back down the summits or saddles in the afternoon (another 700 to 1200) to the next gite (valley). Most of the time the trails were obvious on scree, boulders, or (our preference) hard slab rock - they called it 'dales'. Threeor four of the days were somewhat technical with one (the Cirque de la Solitude) being particularly knarly! Most of the Cirque is protected with chains and one ladder - well protected is used generously because it is exposed and the risk is high - so by protected I mean 'hold on' when you need to.
Many different facets will linger for a while about the GR. Mainly the exceptional views, pride in accomplishing a serious goal, meeting and experiencing this trail with very nice folks from all over the globe, and also the local people with their very envious way of living.The cities of Corsica
We came out of the GR with the intent to visit a few coastal and mountain cities (villages) and we did. All were spectacular but two will be etched permanently; Bonifacio and Calenzana. Calenzana because we had to spend three days waiting to enter the massif of the GR20 at the start - we got to know it and walked to pretty much every corner of this beautiful town. The people were friendly and the restaurants fabulous (they offer awesome food in these very small towns). Bonifacio becauce it is the nicest city I've ever seen (Julie is nodding beside me). The setting, landscape, wind, and the history - fabulous!
I should not forget about some of the other cities as they add another dimension. such as Occio, the ghost town built in 1750 and abandonned soon after because of the dried-up well. Or Calvi, Corte with their incredible Citadels dating back to the XIII century. Pics to come later... in the meantime goolge 'Pictures Bonifacio' - you will be impressed.The Mediterrenean
OK, you can not speak of this area without spending a bit of time trying to describe the shoreline, the water and the underwater scenery. The shorelines are peppered with 90 XIII Century watchtowers built to protect the Genoise population from barbaric tribes, these towers were upgraded/maintained through time (depending who was in power) and are ever present. The water is pure turquoise and as clear as glass. We swam and snorkled whenever possible (which was often) and I always had the feeling of being in an aquarium - clear, colourful and pristine. Although the tourists and locals love to flock to their amazing beaches and they can (and do) get busy, we always found a little corner of heaven for us like the one in the picture...
I will leave it at that for now, Julie and I are off to visit another area of Paris today. Flying to Ottawa tomorrow and back to Victoria on Friday (23rd)... ciau!
