an island excursion

Porquerolles DAY 2: In effort to soak up the weekend, I arose early for a run around the island. Yes, today was a perfect day, complete with one excursion after another. And, let me just tell you, I totally deserve a high-five for breaking the law today. After lounging around for a long breakfast, (yes, my favorite way to start the day!) I set off, once again, "au velo" (on bike) to explore. Like I told you yesterday, the island is full of forts and historical monuments. So, of course, I went to find them! I traversed the olive orchards once again in order to see Fort St. Agathe in the daylight. It is, indeed, the largest fort on the island, as well as the most uninteresting. As a result, I left pronto in order to see the rest. Not knowing where to go, or how far exactly is 3,7km, I simply rode until I felt like turning (does that surprise you?). The first place I discovered was a hidden niche, perfectly serene with a brilliant view. I decided against photos here, since any effort to accurately depict the wonders of this obvious piece of heaven would be nothing but disrespectful. Here, I sat for a while, sorting through the pebbles on the beach and listening to the water, lightly rustling as it was awakening for a new day. And, just as company arrived, I decided to head off for another adventure, this time passing through the town to the post office to send a few postcards (check your mail in about a week). I reveled in the jazz band, touting away for the island guests only for a little while, and hopped on my bike once again to find the next photo. Long, dusty paths and the heat forced me to stop for only a moment, so I pulled over to rest.

Rest not, Hannah, for there it was: Fort Lequin. Barred from the public, I was initially a bit dismayed that I couldn't enter, but then I found it: a small, hannah-sized hole in the bottom of the door. I don't need to tell you that I went in, do I? I roamed around the entire inside of the dusty, abandoned fort, carefully climbed the rickety wooden stairs and watched the yachts bouncing about, anchored securely in "la belle mer" (the beautiful sea).

As if the day couldn't get any better, I spent the rest of the day in the shaded beachside, reading and relawing. I enjoyed a conversation with an elderly French man with whom I shared my shade for a bit, and then headed back to the kids and the family for more games and a bit more swimming before heading back to St. Marc.

Here's to my first vacation, French-style.