Sunday, October 12, 1997 - North Shore News — 37

at

north shore news

OF ail the places in
the world to sail, few
match the west coast
of Corsica. Which is
where we were on this
blistering August day,
having just left the
port of Sz. Florent
under almost full sail
and with an armada-
sized escort of admir-
ers.

A cool afternoon breeze
came off the sea, invigorated
everyone on deck and urged
the four-master to the south,
the square sails flying just like
the Roman ships that used to
sail these waters.

“Up with the fisherman,”
ordered Captain Uli Pruesse,
and another huge sail went
aloft while Will, a horelier
from San Diego, stood at the
helm having the time of his
lite.

Star Clipper and its nwin
Star Flyer are cruise ships
with a difference. They are
authentic copies of 19th cen-
tury schooners that used to
race around Cape Horn, but
with cnough modern conve-
niences to attract an active
group of passengers, includ-
ing quite a few honeymoon-
ers.

Capacity is 170 so it’s easy
to get on and off, cabins are
comfortable and air-condi-
tioned, the dining room is
casual and you can eat when
and with whom you want.
There is a good varie. of
water sports available .1clud-
ing scuba diving.

One night the sports
team, energetic young
Swedes, organized games that
recalled C! Jub Med’s early
flair.

Not that there was much
call for organized entertain-

> —

wind

ue cruise

ment after a summer day in
these magical waters. The
midships bar was always a
sociable place, but there were
probably more dreamers on
deck watching the sky, lights

“We sailed south
with the night
and docked at

Ajaccio, five
minutes’ walk
trom Napoleon’s
birthplace...”

of passing islands and the
sensuous curve of the sails.

We started at Cannes,
which in July and August is
raobbed with vourists, so it
was a relief to reach the
haven of Star Clipper
anchored just off the port.

In fact it quickly dawned
on passengers why million-
aires buy vachts.

We sailed south with the
night and docked at Ajaccio,
five minutes’ walk from

Napoleon’s birthplace.

When we left, sails unfurl-
ing to the theme of the
movie Christopher
Columbus, there was not a
person on the crowded dock
who was not impressed.

The next day landfall was
the Aga Khan's resort of

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Costa Smeralda in Sardinia,
the scorched island said to be
not Europe, not Africa and
belonging to neither. Giglio
was next. [Twas onc: a get-
away for Romans but is now
busier as car ferries are more
efficient than galleys.

However, these waters are
sprinkled with tiny islands
and quict beaches, and that’s
where our tenders went.

Other passengers were
happy just to sit on the aft
deck in the shade of a large
canopy and enjuy the reliable
afternoon breeze and perhaps
a drink served by the equally
breezy Caribbean waiters.

Portovenere on the Sralian
coast is special. This old
Roman port, whose beautiful
grotto captivated the pact
Byron, also offers an
inexpensive ferry connection
to the Cinque Terre fishing
villages nearby.

Although that information
is not in all the guidebooks
(not even Lunely Planet’s),
Star Clipper not only put a
group on the ferry but got
them back on board betore
sailing.

Then Monte Carlo, where
we docked right under the
Hermitage Hotel and drew
more admiring, glances in a
town used to grand yachts.

Some went up to the casi-
no while a few of us had a
splurge on the terrace of the
Hermitage; while we were
there who walked in but
Prince Albert of Monaco with
a blonde (yes, he gor the best
table).

Two detectives sat nearby
ready to make a move in case
she touched him.

The next day we were at

iver. ‘Dancing

Soft Pastels
str

2 Aroma ierapy”
- Mexandta Te

ONE glance will tell you the Star Clipper is unlike any
other cruise ship plying the waters of the

Mediterranean.

Cannes and it was all over,
but not for everyone. Some
were staying on for another
week which has a different
itinerary.

as

reativ

Star Clipper and Star Flyer
also cruise the Greek Islands,
the Far East, and the
Caribbean and do Atlantic
crossings.

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