We sail away
    This morning is the third morning that I cannot write while the others sleep. Not because I've lost my pen, but today everyone's alarm clock is set for six and at 7a.m. we already have to be heading into port at Bastia so that they don't start searching for us at eight, since we already have those ferry tickets. The tents are quickly packed up and camp struck, though we don't have time to bother with the trash this time. We camped next to a dump anyway. We make port on time and the huge ferry is already waiting with its maws open.



    During the short wait the sky begins to darken and it begins to rain lightly. Just like when we arrived. In the distance , we see the features of the island of Elba etch themselves on the horizon, and after a while we drive into the boat. One last look at the receding port of Bastia, at the transmitters on Serra du Pignu high above the city and we float off.



    There are noticeably more passengers this time, but even so, the huge rooms of the boat are half-empty. The expansive restaurant offers everything from salads and fried foods to sweet desserts and ice cream.

    The pleasant, "Samba Patti" by Carlos Santana drifts from the hidden speakers and the motion of the boat is virtually undetectable. Even though we didn't find many terrains for flying, still the opportunity for Czech to fly in early March is not to be scoffed at. Merci. Au revoir! Maybe some future expeditions will discover some suitable terrains on the northwest part of the island by the city of Calvi or discover completely new ones in the south. The distance of 1200km from Prague to the port of Livorno is not insurmountable and the cost of the ferry is also reasonable. Transport of a car with two passengers is about 5,000 Czech Crowns, payable in local currency of course. But tickets can also be bought in Prague near the Lesser side square and paid for in Crowns.

    Terrains for flying on Corsica are not all that simple and readable. They definitely cannot be recommended to beginners. It is certainly not without interest that during our entire week of criss-crossing the island in the flying month of March, we never saw another glider in the sky that was not of our own party.



    For the more experienced Czech aviator Corsica can be a less-expensive variation of the Canary Islands, understandably in February at the earliest. Even so, it is necessary to count on very low morning temperatures. For those who like to swim, April or May is more suitable, even though at this time it's already possible to fly here in the Czech Republic. The entire coast of Corsica is literally covered with hundreds of campgrounds, and as a rule they are found right by huge beaches with fine yellow-grey sand. The expansive campgrounds are equipped with all amenities, often including miniature golf and tennis courts. With its layout and the level of civilization encroachment, Corsica reminds us of the island of Tenerife by that which Pico del Teide on Tenerife is higher, the central mountainous part of Corsica is more expansive.

    In contrast to Tenerife however, the tide of tourists to Corsica has a distinctly seasonal character because there just isn't any swimming in the winter months. This seasonal character is reflected in the prices, of course. For the Czech pilot who doesn't like crowds, and goes to fly at the beginning or end of winter, this can be a pleasant discovery.

    Where to fly though in December or January? So far the most pleasant possibility seems to be a move to the Canary Islands, to the small island of La Palma, though in light of the cost of the airfare, at least two weeks is necessary to make it worthwhile. Or even better, for the whole winter ...