Alcyon Porto-Vecchio

... amazing harbor to boast about too. Being from California, I’m sure to seaside property where the cliffs are endlessly encroaching further and further inland. It doesn’t appear that this town has that problem.

It was a relaxing morning for me as I was sitting on the sun deck chatting with friends on the Internet as we approached Bonifacio. The sun was up ...

... it was windy and we could not reach the Genoese Tower there. On restarting my most likely Chinese scooter, the ignition came out with the key. Once fixed we drove to Castellu d'Araghju where I had lunch. Feeling fully confident with the 2 wheels I took to the highway south to Plage de Rondinara, a more sheltered beach. Returning to the hotel at 5pm I sorted out my finaces and ate dinner followed by...Fromage au lait de Brebis 'U Montinu' et vin ...

... Florence, which one was Florence?" was the usual comment on the video....... We then went off to a French restaurant to continue Gillian's birthday celebrations. The next morning we decided to stay for another day so we could explore the town further. We walked up the hills to the old fortified town which is perched precariously on the cliff and explored the food shops and fortifications. Bought the usual cheese and salami type offerings although ...

... found Claudia & Wolfgang (who were wise not to try and complete the last stage) and went out for pizza. Pizziaiolo for me and vin rouge for all thanking them for getting me through the southern section of the GR20. After 4 bottles of red between 7 the Candians and English lady went back to the hotel. The Germans and I had one thing on our mind, Mojito's. And so it was, cocktails, beer and fusball.

Day 175. Pasta Man; trip to Rufuge de Paliri via Alpine Route 6/10/08 Stage 14, 6.5hrs, 13kms Sebastian had loaded up with pasta from the start, eating it every evening. The Candian girls called him pasta man and he promised on the last night he would cook up all his remaining pasta for everyone. This night would be it. Most walkers choose the alpine route as opposed to the official GR20 route ...

... My Corsician Lonely Planet book was getting some attention, I was glad to have something of use! Sleep would have been nice and it started of so well. Claudia gave me a hot water bottle for the cold night ahead. But after 4 hrs it was cold and all I could hear was the Italian whale next to me snoring. I got up at 5ish with 4 others also apparently struggling with sleep.

Day 173. Trip to Refuge d'Usciolu (1750m) 4/10/08 Stage 12, 5.5hrs, 9.5kms Freezing night. The Canadian girls were up early as usual thankfully worked out the problem with the fire. It was so windy the chimney outside bent over blocking the exit. They fixed it and got the fire going. Outside was only worse, now covered in frost and snow. The days walk involved clambering around exposed granite ...

... at Bocca di Verdi which has I quote, 'with an attractive terrace, it serves meals and has self-catering facilities......has a couple of hot showers'. Book said open till mid-oct, insider info said closed in 2 days. Reality CLOSED. Sheltered there from the rain I ate a tinned tuna salad and donations from the other. I contemplated leaving the GR20 and looked at exit routes. But the others, especially Claudia, would have nothing of it, "We started the south ...

... the highest peak of the bright sunny day, Bocca Palmente (1647m), it's time for a decent. Both Bergeries d'Alzeta & de Scarpaccedie (1450m) were closed, but we stopped at the latter for lunch, a pre-mixed salad. Passing a waterfall, a forest and Gite U Fugone (closed) we arrived at the warm PNRC refuge besides a snowless ski slope. The Canadian (Quebec) girls had already started the ...

... headed to the library for a book. We noticed a notice for a singles get-together and decided to see if anyone was there- We have seen single women on the ship. We ended up spending time with two delightful young gals, Leslie and Lu, who work on the ship. One was on a ship during a storm and the bow tipped 42% - a ship cannot recover from 45%! Next a visit to the ship gift/jewelry ...