FERRYING IN '15 20th June 2015

Saturday 20th June 2015
I set my alarm for 7 a.m. so I was ready to enjoy arriving at the little town of Propriano at 8 a.m. here on the south west coast of Corsica. Mountains surrounded the bay and it all looked very tranquil. We strolled off KALLISTE and round the quay to the main street parallel with the water and were soon enjoying a petit dejeuner under the shade of a local cafe's canvas roof.

Arriving in Propriano

We walked off Kalliste

View from the breakfast table


We had to catch the daily bus at 10 a.m. and were glad to settle into its air-conditioned comfort for the one and three-quarter hour journey east over the ancient Corsican mountains and through a few tiny villages to the port of Porto Vecchio. This seems to be a much bigger and more prosperous town, judging by the restaurants and prices, but again the bay was surrounded by wooded mountains and it was hot and humid.

I loved seeing these flowers in Porto Vecchio

Jean Nicoli


Our next sailing was to be on JEAN NICOLI, which we could see in a far area of the bay; there was time to enjoy our surroundings and find somewhere good for lunch. The Tropicana seemed to promise mussels and other delights, so we settled in under the thatched roofs of the restaurant and enjoyed the views as our food was cooked to order. The food was superb (I had the speciality Corsican burger which was a wondrous concoction of several items, and pleasing for the taste buds) and the presentation and service excellent. We were considering dessert when the sky turned navy blue and it started to rain heavily. With the decision made we settled in for more Tropicana delights.

By late afternoon the rain had stopped and we could stroll along the waterside to the ferry terminal and check in. By 5.30 p.m. we were on board and ready to photograph our surroundings. JEAN NICOLI was built in 1998 with a gross tonnage of 29,968. She started life as PASIPHAE, then PASIPHAE PALACE. She is attractive on board, with a good passenger space flow, and a little two-deck high atrium which has an olive tree growing through it. There were spacious open and covered open decks, an empty swimming pool (shame) to see before sailing at 6.30 p.m. from Porto Vecchio to Marseille overnight. Not unexpectedly as we sailed, black smoke could be seen billowing from the funnels but we know that cheap fuel is often used.

Builders plate for Pasiphae

Deck 6 plan

Main staircase

Small atrium

Bottom of the atrium

Original murals

We found a sign with her previous name

Empty swimming pools

Poor quality fuel

Leaving Porto Vecchio, Corsica

On deck


The route would be slightly different to that taken on KALLISTE as we would be sailing south upon departure along the Corsican east coast at first, before sailing through the straits between Corsica and Sardinia, and then heading north-west back to Marseille. The light was beautiful as we sailed along, enjoying the 'golden hour' before sunset.

Map of Corsica

Jean Nicoli life ring


There was time for a glass of wine before saying goodnight.

Ships seen: Kalliste, Jean Nicoli

To be continued...

FERRYING IN '15 - 19th June 2015

Friday 19th June 2015
I was up with the lark this morning at Gatwick Airport, in good time for the 07.55 flight from London Gatwick to Marseille airport with one of my travelling companions. The sky was blue around us and I could see the south coast of England left behind as we crossed the Channel and headed south east towards the south of France on the Airbus 319/320. As we approached Marseille it was fun to look down and see some of the ferries already in port.

Goodbye England

Vieux Porte from the air

More ferries

and more


We touched down in brilliant sunshine, as the pilot announced that there was a strong Mistral wind blowing outside. Le Mistral is known here in Provence for its sometimes 100km an hour strength. I descended the aircraft steps to the ground and was promptly blown along until my arm was grabbed firmly by my companion and we made our way to the terminal building. Another friend soon arrived from another part of the UK so after joyful greetings we took the airport coach to the Marseille St. Charles city rail station. This is the first time we three have met since the publication of my companions' highly-acclaimed book "Sealink and Beyond", so it was a happy occasion.

In the city the nearby Maritime museum was closed, seemingly forever, so we went for a snack and headed for the Vieux Porte to see what little local island ferries might be running when we return. Some of this area is now covered by a huge reflective metal roof (designed by Norman Foster) which is fun to stand under and take photographs.

Then it was time to take a taxi to the ferry ship terminal for our first sailing of the trip: on KALLISTE of La Meridionale. We will be sailing from Marseille to Propriano on the western coast of Corsica, departing at 18.30 and arriving tomorrow at 08.00. Cabin 4344 was an outside mid-ship one, clean and comfortable, and I was soon on deck and taking photographs around the ship.

Gare Maritime d'Arenc

Kalliste on a brochure


KALLISTE was built in 1993 at 30718 gross tons and has kept the same name during her career with Le Meridionale, sailing between France and Corsica (Corse). Her name is actually the Corsican name for the island of Corsica.

Up the ramp

View ahead of us

Bar area

Map of Corsica

Sign

Deck view

Algerian ferry

Corse was astern of us

And so we sailed through the Mistral-affected water, passing Chateau d'If

MSC Preziosa

Deck plan

Decorative art

Blue Kalliste

Reception

Deck plan

Kalliste


Dinner in the Restaurant after sailing late from Marseille was enjoyable as we headed out into the Mediterranean for the French island of Corsica.

Ships seen: Pascal Paoli, Mediterranee, Kalliste, Corse (really well tied up), Excellent (ro-ro), Girolata, Jean Nicoli, MSC Preziosa, Monte D'Oro, Tariq Ibn Zayd of Algerian Ferries, Amacar


To be continued....