In the evening …
We are sitting on the roof-deck of the Hotel Bastia. Around 6 o’clock, the ferry boat SARDINIA REGINA delivered us in Bastia. After our arrival, we did a little cruising with our bikes, also up a few inclines.
Then we went to look for a hotel. The Hotel Napoleon had a poster hanging from a window that said: “FULL”. Then I went to the Hotel Central. They were also booked out … But the nice lady at reception made a few telephone calls, until she was successful at the hotel “Le Forum”. They have two vacancies. Well, all we need is one.
So we are on our way to the Le Forum. It, too, is situated in the centre of Bastia, just like the two hotels we had already tried. They have a small room. We are quick to take it at 50 Euros for two. Including shower and toilet – nothing wrong with that.
The mystery about all these fully booked hotels is solved. It is not because of Easter. Instead, there is a huge show-dance event in Bastia. At other times, it is said that Corsica is rather empty. Well, aren’t we the lucky ones?
The population of Bastia is around 40,000, which is about as much as Ottobrunn and Unterhaching together. Counting the surrounding villages, the number is allegedly 60,000. That would be Hohenbrunn/Riemerling, as well.
All considered, Bastia is quite a lively town, even early in April. We buy Corsican beer (Pietra) and Quiche. Both taste excellent. Our hotel has a wonderful terraced atrium. We enjoy our dinner.
By our standards, it is warm. The boss of the hotel says it is cold for the time of the year. Otherwise the terrace would already be full of people. As it is, we two are the only ones on the patio (out here, not in the hotel).
They say it will rain tomorrow. Let us wait and see if this is correct. We want to start riding our bikes tomorrow. But there is a plan B: If there is too much rain, we take the train to Ajaccio in the south-west. The train covers the distance in about three hours, doing an average of 42 km/h. It is said to be one of the most beautiful train tracks of Europe. I find that appropriate.
A narrow-gauge railway. Once, in Tunesia, I went on the world’s fastest narrow-gauge railway. The top speed was more than 120 km/h.
The DFC is part of the SNCF. It was almost put out of service in the 1960ies because it no longer paid. I am glad it still runs. And I am not the only one.
Here is another idea on Livorno of this morning: At Livorno Centrale railway station, the “small affair toilet” costs one Euro. So, basically, we have the same indecency as in Munich, just more honest (and more expensive by 25 %) than there (where it is still 80 Cents). To make up for it, the Expresso is a lot cheaper than in Munich.
🙂 I still find it scandalous. Is there anything more important for the state than seeing to it that its citizens can at least answer nature’s call for free when travelling? Even if they have no money on them!
RMD
(Translated by EG)
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