Three Little Bears Abroad: July 2011

I was so excited about Corsica. It is somewhere I had always hoped to visit, but actually thought there was a good chance that it would never happen, as it is quite off the beaten track. Some of my ancestors were originally from Corsica, which is why I was so keen to see it. I was so happy that one of the ports on the cruise was Corsica, and it was probably the deciding reason for why we chose the Western European cruise and not the Eastern European one (the Greek isles were VERY tempting!!). The Ship only docked in Corsica for half a day, as it is still quite a hike back to Mallorca (where some passengers would be departing and some more boarding). I was a bit disappointed that it was only half a day, so I decided to do one of the organised tours to get the most out of our time there. I had decided to do the tour of the capital city (Ajaccio) but just before we arrived they announced that it was a public holiday and that nearly everything would be closed, so I decided to do the countryside instead. Papa Bear took the boys to walk around Ajaccio instead, to take photos for me :)

As well as only half a day, and it being a public holiday, it was also wet. It turned out to be the only wet day on the cruise, but it was a bit disappointing for me to have the rain on that day.

I don't think I really had expectations about what it would be like, but it defintely wasn't what I was expecting anyway. The countryside was truly spectacular and reminded me a little of the Southern Highlands and of Kangaroo Valley, but mostly of the Australian Alps. Apparently Corsica has a three-tiered structure of Vegetation which is unique to Corsica with the exception of 1 country - this same structure is also seen in Australia! No wonder I felt at home. It was a really beautiful day depsite everything, and it would have been lovely to have been able to stay longer, but at least I have been there now, which I wasn't sure if I would ever have the opportunity to.

Ajaccio is like many of the close in European cities. The old city is around the harbour area and is built close in like many old European cities, making them difficult to attack. Many of the old stone buildings are very beautiful, with a lovely main square near the main buildings. It also also the city that Napolean was banished to after he was defeated by the English.

Many of the lower levels are built strongly to help ward off attacks.

The Palace area hard stunning gardens. Unfortunately it was closed for the public holiday

The cities main square near the new casino the parliment vuildings and overlooking one of their many pebble beaches.

The boys loved the fountains, though this multi level one was quite interesting.

One of the many memorials in memory of the many wars that the people of the city were involved in.

The beachside view from the end of the town square. Pity the beach below the promenade wall is a pebble beach rather than a nice sandy one.

One of the nicer pebble beaches on the island looking back towards the fort and the harbour.

This part of the beach around the bottom of the military fort was actually very sandy, though I think we missed the signs heading down saying it was a military area and you should keep out.

As intrigued as I was by the old fort, it is still a current military base, so we didn't really get a much better look at it other than the outside and the former moat area.

This is the actual building where Napolean was housed during his exile. It is a three floor apartment with a little garden opposite where Napolean spent time outdoors.

The roundabout heading back to the ship had many cool fountains and sculpted trees. Unfortunately it was not easy to get a better look because of all the cars driving around.

Then we noticed you could see it better from the other side.

On our way back we came across the local markets set out in a harbourside carpark. Fortunately England's importation rules are not so strict of food, so we bought a tin of delicious traditional cookies.