Easy on the Tourist Trek !

Even a day of ‘rest’…and the alarm still went off at 5-30 a.m., ready for me to shower and change, and walk down to the beach ready for the 6-55 a.m. bus into Bastia.. as you can imagine not many were around, however still quite a few, and the sun still coming up over the sea.. the bus arrived bang on time, I paid my $3 and was soon zipping along the winding coast road, it was nice not having to ride it, and I could look out over the rugged coast as I went along

I was in Bastia before 7-30 a.m., and into the main square, Place St Nicolas, where all around Restaurants were busy service Petit Dejeuner (breakfast) to people, but I din’t stop, I had places to go…although the first couple of places I went to (churches) weren’t yet opened, as I followed a trail given me by the Tourist information, passing into the older part of Bastia, with a nice water feature to see . I was then at the biggest church on the island of Corsiac, St John the Baptist ,who’s doors were open, although I was the only one inside, and from there around the old streets of the old port area, and around the harbour section

It was then a tramp up to La Citadelle, the original fort for the island (bastide) , and from which Bastia took it’s name , the views from there out over the island were pretty good , with the ferries docked below

I then had allok round the Cathedral of Sainte Marie, and the smaller Sainte Croix church at the back of it, containing a miraculous black statue of Christ …. then it was back into the town, visiting the churches I’d missed, and finding myself a barbers…Domeniques ! a rather quant old boy, who’s hands were a bit shaky, and at first as he started on my hair I wondered what I’d end up like !, however by the end of it..and the new razor cut he done to hair and neck, all for the princely sum of $17 I was well pleased –although he did warn me about the bald patches on top !!

I wandered around looking for a camera shop, even after guidance from the tourist office, none could be found, and I ended up back on the 12 noon bus back to Pietrocorbara, by which time it was very hot and sticky (and I’d put my cap on !)

I wandered back up to the campsite, had lunch, and a deserved afternoon nap, before heading down to the beach for an early evening swim and sunbathe…and then returned to my promised..Chicken Curry,Rice and Naan bread..delicious and filled me ready for the next day..

Another early night, Bonne Nuit !