Calvi, Corsica, France

I LOVE this place! I would definitely come back to visit. We've visited this island a couple times now (different ports though) and I have enjoyed each visit, but I really love this city/village of Calvi. It's kind of a fortress village that sits on a hill and flows down to the beach. There are majestic mountains all around (some even have snow still on them). It reminds me of California...and Hawaii...and Alaska...I seem to be drawn to places with mountains and the ocean – my 2 favorite places.

I went on a short tour today (escorting) – just 2 stops and a drive around this area of the island. We are at anchor today, so we had to tender in. We left in the morn and the water was like glass (would have been great to waterski on!). The water here is also pretty clear. Oh – it was beautiful! My tour was in a topless bus. It sounds weird but it was actually very nice. We enjoyed the fresh air without being blown away (the sides were high enough). We went to a church way up high on a mountain overlooking Calvi – gorgeous views! Then we drove through a bit of forest to another part of town and up another mountain with another view of the harbor. The best part of that stop was the public toilette. It looks like a bank vault. Only one person at a time – a green light tells you when you can enter, and then the door locks behind you. You have to push a red button to get out and then the bathroom door closes behind you and locks the door while it completely washes and sanitizes itself (it's all tile and stainless steel). Takes a while to get 27 people through, but it was definitely fun, funny, and one of the highlights. Yes, everyone goes to the bathroom, it's amazing to see that everyone (besides me) is fascinated by the different ways it is done – lol.

After the tour ended back in town, I took a walk through the town to the big grocery store just out of town. I enjoy seeing what they stock in all the different countries I have visited. It's mostly the same, but I do see a lot of things we don't have at home. AND – there is so much I'd love to bring home as gifts, but I am afraid I am already over my weight limit on my luggage flying home...so It will just have to be memories shared for this trip. After shopping and walking around, I got myself a yummy peach and pineapple sorbet and sat and ate it on the marina in the sun. Looking at the sea and the beautiful mountains, I once again and so thankful for this beautiful world and my awesome life :)