2016-06-30 Erbalunga Bay to View Port, Bastia, Corsica

Early morning at Erbalunga
Early morning at Erbalunga
We make a start for our short trip to Bastia
With the conditions a little overcast we make a start for our short trip to Bastia
Approaching the town of Bastia with it's population of around 45,000
Approaching the town of Bastia with it’s population of around 45,000
Bastia is the principle port and commercial centre of the island of Corsica
Bastia is the principle port and commercial centre of the island of Corsica
We pass the old buildings (which look like they need a fresh coat of paint) on the foreshore by the well known row of restaurants
Passing the old row of buildings, which once were fine villas of the old port of Bastia. Today  the street is better known for a row of popular restaurants along the foreshore
We continue past the entrance to the port so we can have a quick swim at the beach nearby
As our berth in the old port was not available as yet, we decide to continue past the port to the nearby beach so we could have a swim
As we return from the beach ta couple of the large ferries start leaving the commercial port
As we return from the beach a couple of the large ferries start leaving the commercial port
It is not long before we enter the old port through the narrow entrance
It is not long before we enter the old port through the narrow entrance

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The Tangaroa was tied up along the old wall in the exact same position as during our last visit in mid September 2015
The Tangaroa was tied up along the old wall in the exact same position as during our last visit in mid September 2015
Around 2 pm we manage to hire a small car so we could go sightseeing inland in the direction of Corte, for a few hours
Around 2 pm we manage to hire a small car so we could go sightseeing inland in the direction of Corte, for a few hours
On our journey by car we pass some lovely scenery
On our journey by car we pass some lovely scenery

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We visit the small hilltop village of Soveria
We visit the small hilltop village of Soveria
The local church
The quite prominent local church of the town
Such wonderful scenery
Such wonderful scenery from the edge of the village

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Finally we arrive in Corte which today is a University town and cultural centre for all of Corsica
Finally we arrive in Corte which today is a University town and cultural centre for all of Corsica
The long main street of Corte which has many cafes, restaurants and shops for the tourists. At the top of the street is a statue of Pascal Paoli a famous leader of Corsica in the late 1700's
The long main street of Corte which has many cafes, restaurants and shops for the tourists. At the top of the street is a statue of Pascal Paoli a famous leader of Corsica in the late 1700’s and at that time Corte was the political capital
Who's favourite colour is orange??
Who’s favourite colour is orange?? Michele in front of a well photographed popular local produce store
Once we park the car and buy an icecream we head up towards the citadel
It is time to stretch our legs and head uphill towards the main tourist attraction of the town
The fortress perched on a rock high above the town attracts many tourists everyday
The fortress perched on a large rock high above the town, attracts many tourists everyday
From a wonderful lookout by the fortress you can see all around for many miles
From a wonderful lookout by the fortress you can see all around for many miles
Looking up to the fortress and citadel
Looking up to the fortress and citadel
We head back to the car so we can continue our drive
We head back to the main street to the car, so we can continue our drive
As we head out of town we look back at the lovely view of the fortress in Corte
As we head out of town we look back at the lovely view of the fortress in Corte
We stop by a very old church nearby
We stop by a very old church nearby
Finally a photo together for the family !!
Finally a photo together, for the family !!
We continue our travels and pass through a number of hillside villages
We continue our travels and pass through a number of hillside villages
Some friendly locals for Michele to test her French skills
Some friendly locals for Michele to test her French skills
We head back to the coast towards Bastia
We head back to the coast towards Bastia
Bastia is a well known wine growing region and along the coast we pass many vineyards
Bastia is a well known wine growing region and along the coast we pass many vineyards on our way back to the port
Finally we arrive back at View Port after several hours of driving around the countryside
Finally we arrive back at View Port after several hours of driving around the lovely Corsican countryside
Tonight is our last night with Michele so we have decided to go out for dinner
Tonight is our last night with Michele so we have decided to go out for dinner
During our wander through the lovely town we came across a group of dancers doing the foxtrot
During our wander through the lovely town we came across a group of dancers doing the foxtrot

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A wonderful old church in Bastia
A wonderful old church in Bastia
We decide to head up to the large citadel that overlooks the town
We decide to head up to the large citadel that overlooks the town
The huge solid walls of the citadel are in fairly good condition considering their age
The huge solid walls of the citadel are in fairly good condition considering their age
The entrance to the old walled town
The entrance to the old walled town
We decided to try Chez Vincent for dinner tonight
We decided to try Chez Vincent for dinner tonight
The view of the port from the restaurant was extraordinary
The view of the port from the restaurant was extraordinary
A zoomed in shot of the Tangaroa from above
A zoomed in shot of the Tangaroa from above
Michele and I order the prawns which were served with an amazing sauce and vegetables
Michele and I order the prawns which were served with an amazing sauce and vegetables
Ric chose the beef and again it was served with a different by very tasty sauce and vegetables
Ric chose the beef and again it was served with a different by very tasty sauce and vegetables
There was not any empty table in the restaurant tonight
There was not any empty table in the restaurant tonight
Michele and her healthy choice of dessert tonight
Michele and her healthy choice of dessert tonight
Ric went for a richer chocolate desset
Ric went for a richer chocolate and pear dessert
I was talked into ordering the profiteroles, however nobody told me they were giant ones!!! I did order a doggie bag for two of them!!
I was talked into ordering the profiteroles, however nobody told me they were giant ones……and all that cream and chocolate!!! I did manage to get a doggie bag for two of them!!

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