June 9-10 Calvi and Scandola Reserve

Calvi headland and citadel

This morning was delightful. We boarded a boat and cruised along the coast to see the fabulous cliffs and calanques (narrow, steep-walled inlets) of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Scandola Nature Reserve in the Gulf of Girolata southwest of Calvi. The reserve covers approximately 900 hectares of land and 1000 hectares of sea. The gigantic rocky outcrops, which emerge from the sea are staggering. This, and other stretches of coast, presented threats to the Corsicans. The tiggest threat was Arab pirates and malaria. So here and elsewhere watchtowers kept eyes on the sea.

Watch towers like this are dotted all along the coastline. 

Wonderful shapes created by the wind mostly 

The strata in the rocks was interesting

These looked like dolerite columns only lying on the sides

Wonderful grottos where the water was an intense turquoise

After some cruising we pulled into the tiny village of Girolata which is only accessible by boat. Here we were greeted by cows wandering quite placidly along the beach! We found a spot in the shade and had lunch.

Girolata

A fair amount of building presumably preparing for a busy season

Fortifications stood overlooking the village

Wind power! on the water and on the cliffs

Returning to port

The following day was free time - what they called 'My Time'. We indeed made it our time - a bit of shopping, a bit of wandering and writing. That night was the farewell dinner at a local restaurant.  

Dreaming of what's to come!

 From had a table with a view we watched the setting sun bathe this beautiful tower