Results for "Saint-Floret+|+127"

NAMASTE NEPAL! PRACTICAL INFO AND EXPERIENCE FEEDBACK

Stay from March 25 to April 16, 2025

· Flight tickets Air India (via Delhi) (via Skyscanner) = 1130 € per person · Planned budget (and respected without too many restrictions and while buying a few small gifts) = 2000 € for the stay for two. Buses, taxis, and entrance fees to various sites represent a budget to consider. Meals are cheap. Drinks like beer/Coke, however, are not cheap and cost the equivalent of a meal. · Exchange rate of the rupee during our stay = 0.0064 € (the exchange rate is almost identical everywhere, including at the airport). · At the airport, purchase of two SIM cards (phone) = 1000 NPR x 2 for 28 days. · Kathmandu: we had booked the hotel upon arrival: Kathmandu Boutique Hotel (+977 015 357 446 – email: booking@kathmanduboutiquehotel.com), very well located in a quiet alley off the street, south of Thamel, a 10-minute walk from Durbar Square. A hotel like Nepal knows how to do, where tall people will have to duck. Night + breakfast = 18 € for two. Very warm welcome, great location, excellent value for money. · Bhaktapur: we had also booked a hotel for the end of our stay because the chance of the year 2025 made the Nepali New Year and Bisket Jatra particularly festive in Bhaktapur: Manju Baha Hotel School (+977 976 7234014 – email: manjubahahotel@gmail.com) located in an old monastery. "A social enterprise transforming an old monastery into a charming hotel, offering professional hospitality training to underprivileged Nepali youth." Night + breakfast = 32 € for two. Beautifully decorated room. Very warm welcome. Don’t miss the Changunarayan site (near Bhaktapur), it’s amazing. And if you’re lucky enough to be in Bhaktapur in mid-April for 3 days, there’s the Bisket Jatra festivities (Newari festival), joyful, noisy, fun, and wild… · Pokhara (hotel recommended by the Kathmandu hotel): Hotel Green Tara, Lakeside, 10th street, set back, quiet (Tel. +977 61 462698 – email: greentara_67@hotmail.com) · Trek permit (Lower Mustang, no need for an agency or guide, permits checked at Ghasa and Jomsom) = 2000 NPR per person (2 ID photos) · Bus Kathmandu/Pokhara and return = 2000 NPR per person · Bus Pokhara/Jomsom, 2 one-way tickets = 2800 NPR. · Taxi: negotiation with a driver we recommend, Vicky (+977 984 075 599). You explain what you want, negotiate the price, and he waits for you during the visit. Very charming, we used him several times. For example: departure from our hotel at 10 AM -> Boudhanath/Pashupatinath/Patan return at 5 PM to the hotel = 6500 NPR – Swayambhunath (round trip) = 1200 NPR · Site prices: https://ntb.gov.np/plan-your-trip/before-you-come/heritage-site-entry-fees o Visitor Pass for Kathmandu Durbar Square (for the duration of the stay, show your visa) = 1000 NPR per person (1 ID photo) o Bhaktapur Durbar Square (old town) = 1800 NPR per person o Patan = 1000 NPR per person o Swayambhu Stupa = 200 NPR per person o Boudha Stupa = 200 NPR per person o Pashupatinath Temple = 1000 NPR per person (interesting to take a guide) o Changunarayan Temple (6 km north of Bhaktapur) = 400 NPR per person o Mountain Museum in Pokhara = 750 NPR per person · E-cigarettes: e-cigarettes are banned in India and confiscated whether they’re in carry-on or checked luggage. On the way there, we had kept them in our carry-on, they were confiscated in Delhi. On the way back, learning from our previous experience, we put them in our checked luggage. Someone came to get us to take them out of our bags and confiscate them… You can find e-cigarettes and products in Kathmandu.

* * *

I’m 74 years old. I went to Nepal in 1982, 1983, and the last time in 1986. I wanted to introduce this beautiful and endearing country to my husband, and it was… now or never. So we decided it was now.

I knew the trek starting from Pokhara: Naudanda/Birethanti/Ghorepani/Tatopani/Kalopani. There was no way I was going to do that trek, especially the 1000-meter staircase to reach Ghorepani… You have to stay humble with age.

Back then, the road didn’t exist. I didn’t consider, with the construction of this road (NH48) along the western bank of the Kali Gandaki, doing a trek along a windy and dusty road. Was there an alternative hiking trail on the eastern bank? No one answered my question on VoyageForum, so I did my research online. And I found this site: "Andrées de Ruiter and Prem Rai - Trekking the Annapurna Circuit, including the new NATT trails that avoid the road - A guide to one of the most beautiful trekking regions in Nepal and the world (2011) - NATT = New Annapurna Trekking Trail".

Phew! A solution was emerging. This circuit from 2011 wasn’t fully marked. The idea was to go from Jomsom to Tatopani, so we needed to make sure the path was well-marked all the way, which we did, and the path exists, marked in red and white!

So, with the walking times information, we built our 8-day circuit:

· Jomsom/Thinigaon · Thinigaon/Chimang · Chimang/Saura · Saura/Kokhetanti · Rest day or, if in good shape: loop to Sekong Lake · Kokhetanti/Jhipra Deurali · Jhipra Deurali/Kopchepani · Kopchepani/Tatopani

It’s a senior trek, after all. So the walking times noted on the sites indicated 3 hours or even 4 hours for the two longest stages. That pace suited us fine.

On March 29, we left Kathmandu (1400m), after visiting the must-see sites, by bus to Pokhara: 200 km and 8.5 hours on a chaotic road under construction. I had a memory of Pokhara where it was the first city where you could see the Himalayan range, especially Machhapuchhare. But the pollution is such, the dust raised by traffic and construction, that no horizon is visible except the first hills around Pokhara.

We stayed 24 hours in Pokhara (820m), and on March 31, we left our luggage at the hotel and set off with our lightest backpacks: change of clothes, toiletries, first aid kit, anti-chafing cream, water bottle, sleeping bag liner, and light shoes for the stages.

We took the bus to Jomsom: 160 km/7.5 hours including stops for bathroom breaks, tea, and lunch. The road is nothing but a chaos of potholes, landslides, construction, dust, rebuilding, and mudslides. In Ghasa, the bus stops, and we’re told we’re at a checkpoint and that the two foreigners in the bus, my husband and I, need to have our permits checked, which takes a few minutes. The driving is rock-and-roll, surprising, and courteous. The drivers have their codes, and on these improbable roads, they’re virtuosos.

We could have chosen the plane, but several reasons dissuaded us: if there’s too much wind, the planes don’t take off; personally, I wasn’t reassured about landing in Jomsom, and this transport has a cost.

We arrived around 2 PM in Jomsom (2720m), and despite the early wake-up, the nearly 8 hours on the bus, and the altitude, we decided to head straight to Thinigaon (2840m). At the Jomsom checkpoint, they told us it was a 30-minute walk. Great! Except we took an hour and a half on an uphill road, bent over to fight a strong wind. But the Himalayan range is there! The Dhaulagiri, the Nilgiri, the Annapurnas as a reward.

In Thinigaon, we found a room at the "Nilgiri View Hotel" run by a didi (big sister in Nepali). From the lodge’s roof, she proudly showed us the different peaks surrounding the village and told us, worried, that it hadn’t snowed here for 3 years. She said there are very few tourists, that the season is rather in September/October/November. It seems there’s not a soul in this village, yet mules pass through the narrow street paved with large flat stones, their bells ringing. We dine at 6 PM and go to bed… Room = 1200 NPR and dinner, breakfast, and drinks = 2560 NPR.

On April 1, we set off at 9 AM, not for Chimang as planned but for Marpha! The didi from the Thinigaon lodge had said it was a 3-hour walk. The first part of this stage is attractive, the mountains are magnificent and imposing, the landscape is superb, there’s no one around, a feeling of being "alone in the world." We follow Dhumbra Tal, this small green lake. The path is a rocky track that climbs steeply. Then, around a hill, we start the big descent that joins the Kali Gandaki. We face the wind head-on, and the violent gusts take our breath away, throw us off balance, and envelop us in dust. We see the road on the other side of the Kali Gandaki. We arrive in the village of Chhairo at 2 PM, completely exhausted and with blistered feet, after 5 hours of walking instead of the planned 3.5 hours.

We’re welcomed by the village nurse, who tells us there’s a lodge in the village. Chhairo is a Tibetan village, a 20-minute walk from Marpha (according to the locals, multiply by 2 or even 3 for us…). We’re going to revise our trek plan and, first of all, spend the night in Chhairo.

The lodge is quite pleasant, and Karma, the hostess, is very friendly. She asks about our plans and suggests we stay in Chhairo the next day, from where we can visit Marpha and also Chimang, a 1-hour walk away, in light mode, meaning without backpacks. She invites us to participate in a village ceremony the next evening.

We immediately accept the proposal, as our feet need rest and the welcome is so warm… Dinner and bed!

We reworked our trek plan, which was too ambitious for our untrained bodies and, let’s face it… no longer in our first youth. In the initial plan, we thought there wouldn’t be too much elevation gain following the Kali Gandaki, but checking the map, we realize there might be significant elevation changes between Sauru and Sirkung. So we plan:

· Tomorrow: visit Marpha (2670m) and Chimang (2744m) · April 3: bus from Chhairo (2700m) to Kalopani (2530m) and continue on foot to Ghasa (2010m) · April 4: Ghasa/Pairataplo (1940m) · April 5: Pairatapla/Gadpar (1580m) · April 6: Gadpar/Narchyang (1510m) · April 7: Narchyang/Tatopani (1190m) · April 8: return to Pokhara.

Normally, it’s all downhill…

April 2, a rest day then… We set off in the morning to explore Marpha. We have to take a temporary bridge because the suspension bridge is closed due to road construction. We join the road and arrive in Marpha, a village famous for its apple orchards, brandy, cider, and apple juice production. This village is magnificent with its stone houses and monastery clinging to the hillside. The road construction spared it. There are people, but very few Western tourists.

We have lunch in Marpha and go back through Chhairo to take the path to Chimang. We cross a fragrant pine forest and find the rocky path; the landscape is splendid. We walk quietly, passing peaceful buffaloes and cows, and arrive at the foot of a stone staircase… 275 steps (which we counted on the way back) leading us to the village of Chimang. Chimang is an isolated Newari village that seems a bit desolate. Despite the slopes, there are crops on every little bit of land. Thankfully, we changed our initial program because there’s no lodge in this village, contrary to what we saw on a map… We wander through the village, which seems very deserted, have coffee in a house from another world, and then head back to Chhairo.

A rest day? = 5 hours of walking!!

Dinner and village ceremony. From what we understand, this ceremony is in honor of the Dalai Lama. Men, women, and children in traditional costumes gather twice a month; they dance, make, and offer small sweet cakes with Tibetan tea (made from tea, yak butter—often rancid—water, and salt). Surprising for first-timers…

Around 10 PM, we leave the ceremony; tomorrow morning, we need to be on the roadside by 7 AM to catch the bus to Kalopani…

This village of Chhairo is very pleasant and welcoming, no tourists, just two motorcyclists who arrived in the evening, one of whom participated in the ceremony and discreetly poured his Tibetan tea outside.

Lodge: "Norsang Tibetan Guesthouse and Restaurant". Total bill for 2 nights, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, and drinks = 8000 NPR.

April 3: bus from Chhairo to Kalopani, about 1.5 hours for the 20 km (200 NPR per person). We descend on the right bank of the Kali Gandaki. We find the red and white markings to resume the trek toward Ghasa. We’re in a fragrant pine forest, the Dhaulagiri on one side and the Annapurnas on the other, magnificent, and the path is pleasant and easy. We get a bit lost in this forest, always looking for the markings. Near Lete, two trekkers pass us, and we meet them again a little further on with two very young children, to whom we give the 2 hard-boiled eggs I didn’t eat this morning. They accepted them without hesitation.

We arrive in a village and ask for directions to Ghasa. The young girls point the way. But we come across a forest being logged, trees cut in all directions. We turn back and ask for confirmation. They confirm… But the two young girls catch up with us and clear the way. We have to step over, go around, and cross the felled trees, with no indication at all. Through this pick-up sticks of felled trees, the girls lead us to the top of a stone staircase, indicating that was the path. It’s the only place where we saw rhododendrons in bloom.

We descend the staircase. At the bottom, to the left, there’s a bridge to go toward Choyo, and to the right, a path to Ghasa. We take the right path and join the road. We should normally find the red and white markings, but we don’t… So we continue on the western bank road of the Kali Gandaki.

A little before the village of Misi, we see fumaroles on the opposite bank that seem to come from the ground. We don’t understand. We stopped to eat in the village of Misi (noodle soup = 600 NPR), but it’s hard to communicate with the elderly people running the guesthouse.

We continued on the road, not finding the marked path parallel to the road. Landslides, both on the left and right banks, seem to have taken over the marked routes. It’s a place where the Kali Gandaki gorge narrows, and on the opposite bank, the mountain smokes more and more, and we now hear the crackling of fire. Across from us, the mountain is burning… Our initial plan had us passing on that burning bank right now…

We arrive in Ghasa at 3:30 PM, a 6.5-hour stage but with a 1-hour stop at noon. We’re at the "Florida Guesthouse and Restaurant." From our room, we see the mountain smoking on the other side of the river, and at night, we see the flames. In this village, posters show Himalayan eagles and vultures that seem to be protected species. Indeed, we saw (and heard) 3 eagles circling today.

April 4 – Today, heading to Pairothapla or Kopchepani depending on our feet, accommodation options, and simply our desires.

No more smoke on the mountain this morning. It’s chilly, 7:45 AM, the sky is clear, just a smell of smoke outside.

Price of the lodge = 1000 NPR for the night + 3580 NPR for meals.

We cross Ghasa, which stretches over more than a kilometer. We have a drink at the last guesthouse in the village, and the didi, when she learns our destination, tells us to be careful because the villages we’re going to aren’t safe. Should we distribute our rupees in different pockets? Nah, we kept going.

At the exit of Ghasa, we find the red and white markings and take the suspension bridge to cross the boiling waters of the Kali Gandaki. The passage is impressive because the river is tumultuous. Lots of climbs and even more descents. We’re back on the eastern bank. It’s hot! On the narrow path, we meet a group of buffaloes. Who has the right of way? We decide to stick as close as possible to the rock wall and move forward calmly. The buffaloes look at us, chewing placidly, with no intention of jumping on us. Phew!

After a 5-hour stage (including stops), we arrive in Pairothapla, with hot feet and firm thighs, and decide we won’t go any further. It’s a good thing because there’s a lodge, the most basic so far, but with a great welcome. We have a meal and a short nap. The buffaloes we met on the way belong to this house. They come to drink at the fountain by the path.

Our host, very pleasant, doesn’t know what to do to please us and is very attentive. He wants to chat. He has two children, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. Where do they go to school? Do they go? He tells us that the fires in the mountain are caused by people, but for what reason? We won’t find out, but it’s illegal. From here, we can still see smoke rising in the distance. The wife is a bit less friendly. Corn kernels dry on a woven straw mat on the ground, and the mom sorts them.

From where we are, we overlook the valley and see the road under construction winding along the mountainside on the other bank.

Dinner on the terrace of the house overlooking the path, windbreaker and fleece on: dal bhat chicken for me and chicken curry for my husband: "organic" products, at least local production. There are small vegetable gardens everywhere with all sorts of vegetables.

April 5 – While we’re having breakfast on the terrace of our lodge, 5 porters, straps on their foreheads, heavily loaded, pass by on the path. A few minutes later, a group of 9 people appears. It must be said that since the beginning of our journey, we’ve met very few hikers. Two backpackers in Chhairo, the two hikers near Lete, two female hikers passed us before Pairothapla, a solo female hiker passed us…

The lodge in Pairothapla is called "Bimala Lodge & Thakali Kitchen" – Price for night + 4 meals + 2 breakfasts = 3000 NPR.

The descent toward the Kali Gandaki involves climbs whose steps we didn’t count. Clearly, the landslides on the mountain cause changes to the official ACAP trek marked in red and white, and the marking updates can’t keep up with the pace of these landslides. It’s almost always by chance that we find the markings. Fortunately, we can follow the power line that guides us somewhat.

Drink stop in Kopchepani, the legs are fine, but the feet don’t like being tightly enclosed. A group of trekkers with porters passes on the path. We met buffaloes that we kindly let pass; the path was wide enough, but it was a staircase going up, and we didn’t want to take any risks.

Across, a view of the magnificent Rupse Waterfall on the other bank of the Kali Gandaki, at the bottom, lots of vehicles and people.

Arrival in Gadpar after crossing a rather unwelcoming small village and cultivated gardens between dry stone walls, each better built than the last.

First lodge spotted, first lodge adopted to answer the call of our feet, and a very warm welcome from the owner. Since we hadn’t eaten at noon, we had Tibetan bread/jam. 6-hour stage including 1 hour of stops. Night + dinner + breakfast + drinks = 5060 NPR

April 6 – Today, heading to Narchyang.

For several days, we’ve seen banana trees with their bunches of fruit and even a prickly pear with large fruits ripening.

This stage is quite peaceful and pleasant. We take a suspension bridge to cross a tributary of the Kali Gandaki. While we’re resting for a moment before crossing the bridge, a couple of porters, a man and a woman, arrive and start across the bridge with their wood load in a basket held by a strap on their forehead, making them bend. We set off too… lighter than them.

On the other side of the bridge… a stone staircase, and it climbs steeply. The porter couple didn’t take this staircase; they went right on the path.

At the top of the staircase, we arrive in Narchyang after a 4-hour stage. A magnificent waterfall overlooks the village. We get lost in this fairly large village looking for a lodge. After wandering around for a while, we ask for directions, and an 84-year-old man takes us through the whole village and accompanies us to a very nice lodge run by a woman.

We chat with our hostess, who asks where we’re from and where we’re going. We explain that we want to reach Tatopani the next day and then return to Pokhara. She tells us there are 4x4s going directly to Pokhara and that it would probably be easier than taking a bus that might be full in Tatopani. After a quick consultation, we decide to return to Pokhara the next day by 4x4. She finds us a 4x4 with 2 seats left, departure at 8 AM – 5 hours on the road and 1500 NPR per person. A charming didi who does everything to be pleasant and helpful.

Narchyang community lodge = night + snacks + dinner + breakfast = 3000 NPR.

There you go, our trek ends tomorrow. Many necessary changes and adaptations to our initial trek, but no regrets, it was superb and a great experience that, for my part, I won’t be able to repeat. Always this encounter with the endearing, welcoming, curious, and very kind Nepali people. It was now or never, and we did it!

* * *

In conclusion, 3 full weeks in Nepal is a duration that allows visiting Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, enjoying the various sites, and soaking in the atmosphere and urban Nepali life.

The trek, even revised and corrected, allowed us to get close to the impressive Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. One or two acclimatization days might be necessary to get the body in tune with this magical and extraordinary land.

The Eastern region is a landscape of protected coasts and bays, charming little fishing villages, exceptional scenic routes, and hiking trails in the heart of preserved habitats where many migratory bird species live, including puffins.

Stretching from Cape Bonavista in the north, where John Cabot landed in 1497, to Fortune and Grand Bank in the south, this part of Newfoundland was the first to be discovered and settled.

Visiting this region is like stepping back in time and discovering the cultural and artistic richness of this province, all at a more relaxed pace.

Source: https://www.exploretnl.ca/region-est

Videos are embedded throughout the summary. Please click on the image to start the video.

Bonavista Peninsula - Trinity - Gun Hill Trail Bonavista Peninsula - Trinity East - Skerwink Trail Bonavista Peninsula - Elliston - Puffin viewing site Bonavista Peninsula - Elliston - Spillars Cove (Cable John Cove) Bonavista - Dungeon Provincial Park Bonavista - John Cabot Municipal Park Bonavista Peninsula - Cape Bonavista Lighthouse St. Lawrence - Cape Chapeau Rouge Trail

Bonjour à tous,

Encore un p'tit carnet sur la Corse, où nous sommes allés mi-juin dans des conditions qui ne se reproduiront sans doute jamais : météo parfaite et pas un chat!

Pour une fois, je ne donne pas beaucoup de détails pratiques (mais tout de même les traces wikiloc) très faciles à trouver en quelques clics.

Le but premier du voyage était d'apporter quelques affaires à notre fille Marion mais sevrés de voyages depuis l'irruption d'un certain virus nous en avons profité pour randonner un peu.

Le récit en images est là : clic!

Bonne lecture! Marie

Texte seul :

Corse Juin 2020 Petite virée en Corse, où vit désormais notre fille Marion. Voyage reporté 2 fois en raison de la Covid 19…

Finalement nous partons en fourgon car nous avons pas mal de fourbi en plus des chiens. Mi-juin, la limitation des 100 km est enfin levée et après avoir une traversée très tranquille au départ de Toulon, nous débarquons de bonne heure à Ajaccio : au programme, bricolage et randonnées !

Les chiens nous accompagnent, Corsica Ferries propose des cabines « spéciales chiens » sans moquette. Plein de chiens sur ce bateau, tous très pacifiques…Malheureusement le pont supérieur où un espace leur serait réservé est fermé. Environ 14h de voyage (en comptant les temps d’embarquement/débarquement), les vessies ont tenu le choc ! Tous les passagers sont masqués et ravis de retrouver un peu de liberté !

DI 14/06/20 Arrivée en Corse L’air est doux, le ciel est pur (gros orage et grosses inondations quelques jours avant notre arrivée), la météo s’annonce idéale pour la semaine à venir. Je craignais la chaleur en Juin, mais finalement nous n’aurons jamais plus de 24°C en bord de mer, supportable donc… Retrouvailles et bricolage, puis nous faisons une petite balade vespérale vers l’anse de Minaccia. Pas la foule pour un dimanche…

LU 15/06/20 Lac de Melo Marion et Yoan se sont libérés pour nous accompagner et leur aide sera indispensable pour pousser/hisser/tirer les chiens (30 et 40 kg) qui eurent bien du mal à franchir 2 ressauts équipés d’échelles verticales (le 1er se franchit facilement par la droite et le 2ème par la gauche, c’est plus scabreux). Tout est très vert, très fleuri, on se régale. On bulle un long moment près du lac (les chiens plus tout jeunes sont crevés tellement ils ont été crispés par ce franchissement) tandis que les jeunes grimpent plus haut dans la montagne. Nous redescendons en rive droite de la cascade (sans échelle !) Jolie balade, pour moi un peu gâchée par la peine qu’ont eue mes chiens chéris… https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-randonnee/lac-de-melo-15-juin-51095645

MA 16/06/20 Bergeries des Pozzi Départ avec Marion de la station de Val D’Eze : on longe d’abord un tire-fesse (pas glop) puis la balade devient magnifique ! Quelques vaches et chevaux nous accueillent en haut de la grimpette. Vue sur le village de Bastelica et au fond sur la baie d’Ajaccio. On longe une très jolie crête et au bout de celle-ci on découvre d’un coup le vallon et ses pozzines. On adore ce type de paysage, les chiens aussi ! On passe ensuite à proximité de la bergerie avant de traverser une grande forêt de hêtres tortueux sillonnée de quelques ruisseaux : parfait pour les chiens ! On a adoré cette balade ! https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-randonnee/pozzis-depuis-val-d-ese-pozzi-5002592

Marion rentre sur Ajaccio (elle travaille demain) tandis que nous allons au départ de la rando prévue demain, au-dessus de Soccia.

ME 17/06/20 Lac de Creno Nous avons dormi sur le parking (désert) en dessous du petit resto situé au départ de cette randonnée. Itoo a encore trouvé quelques forces pour jouer avec le p’tit chien du coin. Nous partons de bonne heure (fraicheur, belle lumière, personne) sur un joli sentier fleuri. C’est tellement vert qu’on se croirait en Ecosse ! Nous voici au seul lac boisé de Corse, certains pins sont énormes ! Très belle vue sur les montagnes qui cernent le lac de Melo où nous étions avant-hier. On monte ensuite vers la Chapelle San’t Eliseu dans un sous-bois profondément labouré par les sangliers (le mieux est de monter par la crête qui commence juste derrière la maison forestière, il n’y a pas vraiment de sentier…ou nous ne l’avons pas trouvé) Vue à 360° magnifiée par les nuages ! Nous descendons ensuite par une crête si joliment fleurie qu’on se croirait dans un jardin. Le sentier est assez mal tracé, il faut être attentif. https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-randonnee/lac-de-creno-et-chapelle-sant-eliseu-17-juin-56206520

Déjeuner au resto du parking, quasi désert : les locaux se lamentent, nous compatissons mais jubilons intérieurement d’avoir les chemins de randonnée presque pour nous tous seuls. Autre avantage, service rapide et très aimable : nous qui n’allons que très rarement au restaurant en vacances car nous n’aimons pas attendre des plombes le bon vouloir d’un service débordé allons changer nos habitudes. Au moins pendant qq jours !

Gorges de Spelunca Nous reprenons la route vers les Gorges de Spelunca, qui m’ont un peu déçue. La route d’approche par l’est est très belle mais les gorges m’ont semblé assez banales. Nous longeons la rivière (que l’on voit finalement assez peu du fait de la végétation) en aller-retour jusqu’au vieux pont. Peu de possibilité de baignade pour les chiens… https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-randonnee/gorges-de-spelunca-56206499

Fin de journée au départ de la rando du lendemain, près des calanques de Piana et du Capo Rosso.

JE 18/06/20 Capo Rosso On démarre de bonne heure car je crains la chaleur au niveau de la mer. Belle vue vers la côte et ses tours génoises. On aperçoit le parking. Plus on descend, plus il fait chaud et plus je pense à la remontée…je m’inquiète pour les chiens qui tirent déjà la langue. Arrivés à cette jolie cabane en pierre, nous abandonnons Fred qui monte en vitesse jusqu’à la tour et faisons tranquillement demi-tour : retour facile finalement. https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-randonnee/capu-rossu-en-boucle-41682629

Calanches de Piana On enchaîne avec une petite balade dans les Calanches de Piana, sur le Chemin du Château Fort : la lumière est dure et blanche, il est midi… https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-randonnee/piana-18-juin-56206514 Pause resto sur la plage de Busaglia, où nous sommes encore une fois les seuls clients : service attentionné, les chiens ont eu chacun une gamelle d’eau !

Vallée du Fango On décide ensuite de pousser jusqu’à la vallée du Fango, pour les rafraichir un peu. Très joli coin, qui doit être habituellement bondé à en juger par les panneaux d’interdiction de stationner et la taille des parkings : on a vu en tout 4 personnes ! Après cette baignade les chiens sont définitivement épuisés par ces quelques jours de rando ! https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-randonnee/vallee-du-fango-56206546 Demain, croisière… Retour vers Porto et nuit près de la plage de Gradelle.

VE 19/06/20 Scandola Départ de Porto à 10h, le bateau de Via Mare est plein à 10%, c’est cool ! (pour nous…) J’avais d’abord contacté le Passe Partout qui nous avait gentiment conseillé de prendre un bateau plus grand pour le confort des chiens car il y a un peu de houle : sympa ! (Marion et Yoan ont fait le tour avec eux qq jours plus tard et ça leur a bien plu) Il fonce vers la réserve de Scandola, puis navigue pendant quelques dizaines de minutes en rasant les roches volcaniques : 2 nids de balbuzards ( ?) vides, très peu d’oiseaux. Mais de jolies couleurs et des commentaires intéressants. Petite pause au retour au village de Girolata (pas d’accès routier) avec une petite baignade pour les chiens -à bonne distance des vaches ! Tour sympa et reposant ! Retour sur Porto en milieu de journée puis sur Ajaccio.

SA 20/06/20 Pointe de la Parata Nous reprenons le ferry ce soir. Petite balade de l’Anse de Minaccia jusqu’à la pointe de la Parata, personne sur cette rando non plus (on est à 20 mn d’Ajaccio un samedi !) https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-randonnee/la-parata-20-juin-56206489 Parking immense quasi vide. Quelques personnes tout de même près de la pointe, il faut dire que la vue sur les îles Sanguinaires est magnifique ! Bon déjeuner à la brasserie de la pointe (à nous 4 on double l’effectif des clients !) Appareillage vers 20h00, alors que le soleil descend sur l’horizon… Quel plaisir de naviguer de nuit et d’arriver frais et dispo le lendemain matin !