Corsica Road Trip Part 4

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The Corsica Road Trip continues, now on day 6. This part covers the drive southwards from Ota to Ajaccio. If you are just joining us on our journey you might want to start at Part 1 which is here. However you could just continue here with today’s first stop. We are only doing a short drive up the hill to the Calanques de Piana.

Calanques de Piana

The Calanques de Piana are not far from Porto and are huge red granite rock structures hanging over the sea. I stopped on route several times, the first to say goodbye to Porto and then shortly I stopped at a busier area. Here was the start of the walk to the chateaufort, a rock formation that is part of the park. I have the time and the boots so off I went for an easy 30 mins +70m up and down to a spectacular scene. Same thing to come back. Once again you will be impressed by my bravery on cliff edges and scrabbling up rocks. Well worth the trip though. Back to the car and, again, several stops to try and capture the environment. Especially the little heart shaped hole, to show how much we care, ideal for a snap to send home to family and friends.

Ficaghojola

The beach comes first after all that rock. The well recommended plage de Ficaghojola is my destination. First 3 photos show the final approach to the beach and the beach itself. It’s a dreadful road down to the car park, followed by a short but steepish walk to the beach. It’s a busy place really and small but I agree with the recommendation. It is a long way away from tourist beaches with hotels and cafes. The weather is beginning to turn today but I persevere and have my dip. The beach drops away very quickly and it’s over 2m deep 10m away from dry sand. The waves are strong too. Not a place for poor swimmers.

I decide that’s enough swimming for today and head to Ajaccio. One stop on the way at Coggia, and the beach at Sagone. Today this was another dangerous looking beach with big waves. On another day in different circumstances it should be lovely.

Ajaccio

No matter how much I prepare and read up I invariably get caught out at some point on a trip. I don’t mind as the unexpected is part of the fun of traveling. Ajaccio was my trips gotcha. Ajaccio is a big city and don’t I know it. Sometime after 2025 there will be a cable car linking St Joseph, where I ended up sleeping, to the north of the city at Mezzavia. However, today, as I stay, there is nothing and I am definitely in the wrong part of town near the future terminus.

There’s one of those unprotected railway lines and OMG a train right next to me. Modern trains are so quiet. Anyway, shock over I grab some photos of the port with nice light, a spot of takeaway Thai food and go home to sleep. I shall think about coming back and seeing the real town another time.