A weekend with the tourists in Bonifacio

So we've been pretty chilled for the past week and its been a great rest and recharge. But we're keen for the next adventure and head down the coast to Bonifacio via a coffee stop of course at a pretty little beachside cafe where the water was crystal clear and turqoiuse and the umbrellas were all up. Had planned the photo for when I'd consumed the cafe but mother nature had other ideas. All of a sudden on this picture perfect scene, a wild squall came out of nowhere and the sea was no longer calm and serene. The umbrellas started to blow away, people were racing to rescue their beach towels and clothes - it was like a movie but you couldn't script it. So I didnt get the photo! Lesson learned- snap that shot when you see it! Its only a moment!

In another hour we were climbing the spectacular narrow road up the cliff from the very salubrious looking marina towards the hilltop town of Bonifacio. It was easy to be distracted with the views but luckily my co driver kept me on track. Our hotel, Le Royal, was right in the middle of the old town which has a limited one way system running through it. And the parking was at the far end of the town, next to the cemetry, which just happens to have an amazing view over the Mediterranean. But first to drop of the bag, and pickup the 'carpark ticket' to enable a free psrk for our 2 day stay. Easier said than done. Bonifacio is a busy tourist town, predominately pedestrian, and its lunchtime on a Saturday! We approach the cute boutique hotel slowly and with a stream of cars behind me. Roger jumps out and disappears through the busy restaurant patrons with the bag. I pause, blinkers on, but get a mere 3 mins before Mr impatient behind me toots so I am forced into completing another whole circuit which includes a traffic light on the one way tunnel. Fortunately its red so that stretches the pickup time out and by the time I am back at the Hotel Roger has exited and is waiting with the car park entry. Phew. So back around the circuit once more and then a right turn towards the carpark. The directions for the 'free carpark entry' are unclear so we take a ticket, enter the very full carpark and luckily nab a park with shade! A bonus as its a warm 30 degrees! We meet an 'official' ticket man, who nonchalantly says ' just scan, just scan', which we duly do as we walk past the entry gate, but we're dubious of this, since our car is already through the gate and parked. Cest la vie, we're thirsty and need rehydration urgently!

Its a short 10 minute walk back to our hotel through the cobblestone streets, tourist shops and lots of people. Almost stressful infact, after our idyllic week of meandering to the beach every day. We find ourselves allocated to a newly renovated large studio apartment on the second floor, and theres good WIFI as well. There's restaurants and bars in abundance but I'm chasing a bar with a view because Bonifacio is almost an island and its elevated up above the sea on stunning white limestone cliffs. Roger would have settled on the first bar he saw, but I stretched the friendship just enough and we slotted into a table with a view, seconds before being pushed over said limestone cliffs. It was a close call. A couple of cool drinks and some pasta for lunch and all was redeemed.

The rest of our weekend is best described in the photos. Bonifaccio sits in a spectacular and strategic position which accounts for its intriguing history. Built in the 9th century, the medieval clifftop citadel has several gates and a drawbridge, and was impregnable to invasions back in the day. It is now a thriving tourist town, prices are high and the wealthy seafarers moor their yachts in the marina, or arrive on some of the many 'small' 100 person ocean liners that ply the Mediterranean. I saw it at its best on my early morning walk on Sunday. There was hardly a soul in sight and you could almost imagine the garrisons of soldiers approaching up the cobbled roadways to attack the Citadel.Read more