I survived the crossing...
Driving to Marseille through one of Provence's spectacular storms made for a dramatic start to my Corsican journey. The Gods did take pity on me and while the heavens might have been lashing out the seas remained calm and friendly. The Napolean Bonaparte is a means to an end; she is a way to travel to Corsica with your own car. The Napolean Bonaparte is not part of the Cunard line of luxury boats and she is no Queen Mary 2.....Having said that, sleeping overnight on this massive people mover was kind of fun...
The embarquement was long...lots of waiting as hundreds of cars snaked their way into the cavernous hull. Once on board and with the car parked we found our cabin - a navigational challenge as cabins and levels were many. Bunk beds, our own little bathroom and a porthole...meant that our home away from home was perfectly comfortable for a night on the seas. First off I wanted to explore, I attempted to discover the bateau and figure out what was happening where and when. I like to know all the possibilities. ....This inquisitive and child like side of my nature has never really changed.
As luck would have it the calm seas meant my night was not spent propping up the bar in the Galaxie room. After a good dinner and a couple of glasses of delicious Corsican vino I was happy to put my head on the pillow, listen to the hum of the engines and drift off to sleep. The next thing I knew we were there, just off the coast of Corsica and ready to dock in Ajaccio....xv
image - vicki archer
I am green with envy, Corsica is my favourite place on the planet, in my opinion the most beautiful Island in the world, I especially love the way the scenery changes every 20 kilometres or so.
ReplyDeleteXXX
You write such a vivid picture! It sounds exotic!
ReplyDeleteDear Vicki,
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to find out what happens next on your Corsican adventure.
Lucky you Vicky! how wonderful...I love cruises and have crossed the Atlantic on the just retired QE2...have fun!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting. I didn't realize you were taking a sleeping ferry boat. (Does that make sense?) Enjoy your time.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, Vicki! Thank you for taking us with you on your island adventure! I am a sea girl, whose dad was a Master Mariner, Captain of the largest ships in the World, and I am contemplating a voyage. I can't wait to hear and see more of from Corsica!
ReplyDeleteOh you were lucky rough skies but not seas.
ReplyDeleteI am off to close to your neck of the woods tomorrow. Grenoble and the alpe de hues at first and then saint Remy, I can't wait.
Enjoy your time in Corsica
X
Suzi
This is exciting. Feel like I am with you!
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki.....what an exciting trip for you and your sweet soul mate. Traveling by car ferry is always an exciting adventure. I have done it a few times while traveling the Greek islands....and remember it fondly.
ReplyDeletexo
Jo
i am excited for you....
ReplyDeleteand eagerly wait for your next post
with pictures of your adventure.
xxx be safe
Oooohh lucky one ! Go to le golfe de Sagone, Cargèse, in the center closed to Corte the fishes (truites) péchées dans le torrent ont un goût de noisette, et l'odeur de la forêt de pins est inoubliable ! Corsica is a paradise ! Blue lagons, wildness, I am sure you will enjoy a lot ! Sunny Side
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting in such vivid detail, its like reading a good book. I can almost feel the gentle rocking of the ship and the inhale the fresh sea air. You leaving me wanting to read the next page. I love exploring new locations, its so exciting. So on to your new adventure........
ReplyDelete~Emily
The French Hutch
Sounds like an adventure! Can't wait to see more. Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Vicki; Count me too as another one of your readers that is excited to follow your next adventure. The trip across sounded quite fun despite the queues. Bunk beds would bring back days of camp and other great adventures as a child; all in all, sounds like a fabulous time to me. Safe travels Vicki!
ReplyDeletexx Deb
I love adventures--keep us posted. Mary
ReplyDeleteAs we sit in our chairs, we're travelling with you. So happy you made it and felt OK all the way. Have a lovely time with your husband. xo's
ReplyDeleteLove this post! We just returned from France. Had a exciting time.
ReplyDeleteYou have taken me on a trip to Corsica and I did not have to pack..hurray! terrific post + great images. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteI am green with envy and glad to hear that you weren't green with...well, you know. ;) Oh my, I have been wanting to get to Corsica for the past few years and can't wait to discover it through your eyes.
ReplyDeleteMerci pour le super post! And happy trails...
How lovely, being rocked by those waves! Looking forward to hearing all about your adventure.
ReplyDeleteThought about you and the crossing as in the Var we had one of the most violent storms...beaucoup eclair...I have ever experienced anywhere. Hope the Corsican weather was better than I have seen forecasted on TF1..
ReplyDeleteSounds so enchanting and peaceful too! Hope you are having the loveliest of vacations!
ReplyDeletexo Mary Jo
Sounds wonderful Vicki and so exciting....I am a wanderer too and with camera how can one resist? Best wishes for a lovely trip.
ReplyDeleteJeanne xxx
That's wonderful news, Vicki! I smiled at your *propping up the bar* description ~ I can see you perched there elegantly, yes, but propping it up? Somehow, I can't envisage that. Enjoy the next phase of your adventure...
ReplyDeleteOh Vicki,
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time. Love Corsica! And send pictures! ;~>
So pleased that the crossing was calm for you Vicki. Well worth it, I imagine and I, too, look forward to images and text of your Corsican adventure.
ReplyDeleteHave fun. XXXX
Corsica seems such a mythical place, with all the violence and history! The Bonaparte history is very intriguing!
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