Bonifacio 2009 – Part VIII

Posted on June 4, 2009 by Didier

There are no hotels on the Lavezzi Islands. No cafes, either. Not even a single toilet.

And that’s precisely why people come. Classified as a Natural Reserve by France in 1982, the islands, in the strait between Sardinia and Corsica, have been protected from development. But there hasn’t been any shelter from the wind. Without buildings to break them, gusts have whipped the islands’ granite into fantastic shapes. In the coves between the rocks are protected spots of empty, sandy white beach. The clear water is teeming with anemones and fish, particularly grouper (merou in French), which explains why divers know the islands as Merouville.

The winds also caused one of the Mediterranean’s worst shipwrecks. On the 160-acre main island (the only one that’s more than a pile of rocks), a hiking path leads to a 46-foot-tall pyramid-shaped memorial for the sinking of the Semillante in 1855. The disaster took the lives of 700 sailors and soldiers.

So, last pictures of our Corsican trip. Surely of our best experience there, the Lavezzi Islands!

Bonifacio 2009 – Part VII

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Didier

Now, some shots from the Bonifacio citadel and the fantastic limestone cliffs.

Some descriptions from Wikipedia:

The southern coast in the vicinity of Bonifacio is an outcrop of chalk-white limetone, precipitous and sculpted into unusual shapes by the ocean. Slightly further inland the limestone adjoins the granite of which the two islands, Sardinia and Corsica, are formed. […]

The city of Bonifacio is split into two sections. The vieille ville (old town), or la Haute Ville (the Upper city), on the site of a citadel, is located on the promontory overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The citadel was built in the 9th century with the foundation of the city. The Citadel has been reconstructed and renovated many times since its constructio and most recently was an administrative center for the French Foreign Legion. Today it is more of a museum. […]

The city and its fortifications also extend for some distance along the cliff-tops, which are at about 70 meters (230 ft) elevation. The cliffs have been undercut by the ocean so that the buildings, which have been placed on the very lip of the precipice, appear to overhang it. The appearance from the sea is of a white city gleaming in the sun and suspended over the rough waters below.

Bonifacio 2009 – Part VI

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Didier

Palombaggia!

The palette of colours you can see in Palombaggia is rare : reddish rocks, white sand, very brilliant “parasol” pins, etc… And all in front of a clear sea, from which emerge small uninhabited islands ( Cerbicale islands ).

This delightful setting ( and protected ) is not without any consequence : in summer, the tourists are taking to the beaches from the very near resort of Porto Vecchio. All the more since the road which lead to are very beautiful, and the restaurants of the beach very welcoming.

On the sand, to regain quiet, you have to walk as far as possible ( the beach is very long ) or come soon in the morning….

Two different days, with two different radiances ;-)

Home – summer?

Posted on May 25, 2009 by Didier

Last two days were a kind of summer-in-spring.

Very hot (34°C today) and some special lights in the garden.

Should change tomorrow…

My Google profile

Posted on May 21, 2009 by Didier

As a lot of people during the last weeks, I have created my Google profile.

What is a Google profile?

A Google profile is simply how you present yourself on Google products to other Google users. It allows you to control how you appear on Google and tell others a bit more about who you are. With a Google profile, you can easily share your web content on one central location. You can include, for example, links to your blog, online photos, and other profiles such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and more. You have control over what others see. Your profile won’t display any private information unless you’ve explicitly added it.

You can also allow people to find you more easily by enabling your profile to be searched by your name. Simply set your existing profile to show your full name publicly.

If you’ve been writing reviews on Google Maps, creating articles on Google Knol, sharing Google Reader items, or adding books to your Google Book Search library, you may already have a profile. See and customize your profile.

Quite easy. Let’s see with the time if it brings something new…

You can also find the profile of Laurent Kempé on Google profile.

Bonifacio 2009 – Part V

Posted on May 18, 2009 by Didier

Now have a look at these pictures from the Golf of Figari.

Very special with all these rocks, beautiful ocean and sand.

Absolutely fantastic!

Bonifacio 2009 – Part IV

Posted on May 16, 2009 by Didier

Bavella, the highlight of the Corsican mountain!

For a very good reason : from one side the mountain pass, and on the other side the forest. It summarizes itself the particularities of the island relief, with dramatic rock formation and colours from most delicate red to the darkest grey and all “sprinkled” with giant Laricio pines. The most beautiful panoramas on the Bavella Needles can be seen at the passed called Col de Bavella ( 1218m high ) inside the regional reserve.

Bonifacio 2009 – Part III

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Didier

North of Bonifacio, in the Corsica’s mountains, you can find and follow a marvelous river called “Solenzara”, which is also the name of the town where he Solenzara is entering into the sea.

Fantastic views and landscapes all along the river.

Bonifacio 2009 – Part II

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Didier

I would like to continue our trip report with the presentation of the very nice hotel we were in, A Cheda. Very nice small structure with a lot of charm. All rooms are unique and consist of an elegant mix of modern material and equipment and old stones and wood.

The restaurant is also very interesting. Good quality with a Mediterranean orientation and exciting typical Corsican menus.

The hotel is well positioned outside Bonifacio, but not so far. All around, a marvelous garden with beautiful (old) trees.

On top, a very cool but professional welcome. Nice dedicated people who are delivering good services for this 4* hotel.

Very warm recommendation from the whole family for this very good hotel!

Bonifacio 2009 – Part I

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Didier

Some days off with the family in Bonifacio (south Corsica, France). Very interesting small town (2’600 inhabitants without the tourists ;-), the southernmost commune of Metropolitan France. The Upper City, actually a very old citadel, is dominating some absolutely fantastic limestone cliffs, sculpted by the ocean.

didier beck weblog

it's about saint barth, leadership, pictures & video, and music

Tag Archives: picture