Bonifacio welcomes travelers to Corsica

Corsica really earned its worth from drawing on the fame of one of history's greatest names: Napoleon Bonaparte.  Napoleon was born in Ajaccio, capital of Corsica, on the western part of the island.  In fact, so many who were loyal to him were connected with Corsica: his faithful servant was from Lama, his devoted doctor (who later accompanied him to St. Helena) was from Morsiglia in the north, captain of Napoleon's gendarmarie came from Bastelica in the central, just to name a few.  This tenacious tread linking these Corsicans to the history of France may seem strangely at odds with the relationship between Corsica and Mainland France in our time.  

Situated at the southern tip and seemingly a peninsular all by itself, Bonifacio is the gateway to Corsica. The stunning white cliffs and cobalt blue sea is quite a sight to behold.  Here, men submit in servitude to nature: the entire seaside town is built along the natural features of the landscape.  

The defensive wall and bastion sit high on the top of the cliff, overlooking a bustling harbour below. History is a little blurry on the origin of Bonaficio, but we know for sure that by 12th century when the Genoese came there was a strong settlement here.  

Napoleone de Buonaparte (as he was then called) lived in Bonifacio briefly during the Maddalene expedition.  Even then, the "Independentist" was a strong opposition to mainland France, and smugglers (mostly Corsicans) were much hated by the French Party.  The house where he lived now sports a commemorative plaque.  Even though sunshine is aplenty, the tall houses seem to shield most of it from the narrow streets between them.  Small cafés, bakeries, and the occasional restaurants blend into the stone-washed colours of the nostalgic town.

The daytime sightseeing groups give way to a more chillax crowd freely deposited among the dozen or so harbour-side restaurants.  As the darkened silhouette of the hilltop castle loomed large, the evening dissolves into quiet indulgence of local seafood and cured meat, washed down with the refreshingly aromatic Corsican wines. 

http://www.bonifaciocorsica.net/history.html

科西嘉島在世界享負盛名的其中一個原因，必定是關於歷史上一位重要人物 — 拿破倫。拿破倫出生於科西嘉島西部的首府Ajaccio，除此之外，很多位忠心於拿破倫的人都與這小島扯上關係：拿破倫一位非常忠心的僕人來自科西嘉島的Lama、拿破倫的專用醫生來自小島北部的Morsiglia (其後他更跟隨拿破倫到聖赫勒拿島)、拿破倫的憲兵司令來自小島中部的Bastelica。從這些關係我們仍然可以看到科西嘉島與法國大陸在歷史上密不可分的關係。  

位於科西嘉島南端的半島Bonifacio 是到小島其中的一個主要通道。岸邊險要的白色懸崖與珊瑚綠的海水成了一個強烈而美麗的對比。人們在岸邊興建了這個小鎮，成了自然景觀的一部份。護城牆與城樓屹立在懸崖的最頂，飽覽下面熙來攘往的港口。歷史書上並沒有很多關於Bonaficio 起源的介紹，但我們知道十二世紀熱那亞人入侵科西嘉島時，在這裏聚居的人已經有自己很強大的勢力。拿破倫曾經在Bonifacio 短暫居住，他的屋子仍然掛有紀念他的牌子。

 

這小鎮由無數石頭小屋組成，之間交織著縱橫交錯的小街道。即使是在烈日當空的日子，小街道兩旁高高的房子為行人擋去大部份的猛烈的陽光，在這裏散步會真是很悠然自得。通常日間的遊人都會把這裏的小街及餐廳擠得水泄不通，但是黃昏一來臨，小鎮又會回復寧靜。晚餐時間，緊記要到當地的餐廳享用道地的海鮮及醃製過的肉類，並配以清新香氣馥郁的科西嘉酒，去完結美滿的一天。

 

http://www.bonifaciocorsica.net/history.html

Castelnou - one of France's most beautiful villages

Out of about 32,000 villages in France, 157 are awarded to represent "Les plus beaux villages de France", or the most beautiful villages of France.  Castelnou, roughly 2 hours north of Barcelona straddling on the border, is set in front of a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and windy country roads.  The surrounding hills are barely inhabited, and the village is perched onto one side of the mountain topped with a medieval castle.  There are several panoramic vantage points before reaching the village (where some of these photos were captured) and upon reaching the gates cars have to be parked outside the village wall. Tourists then proceed on foot into 1000-year-old village.

The city wall and rampart houses a small community of about 70 inhabitants, under the watchful guard of the castle.  The village began in year 990, when the first builders began to erect houses on the rough edges of the mountain rocks, and by the 13th century it already had a long enduring military history of wars with the Aragon and Majorca kingdoms.  The castle changed hands a few more times before it gained the tranquility and prestige of today.

The village now houses several workshops of artists and artisans, as well as small cafés and restaurants, most of them exemplifying the Catalan roots of the region.  It seemed to be completely detached from the increasingly artificial environment in which we are enmeshed, and it is now a village charged with great emotions and history, with breathtaking scenery and relics that quietly but intricately attest to its 1000-year history.  

The church of Sainte Marie del Mercadal and the Tower of Castelnou are located just outside the village.

http://www.castelnou.com/patrimoine.html

Tickling the ivories in Barcelona

Piano: Fazioli

Looking back at the past 4 years of playing concerts in Barcelona, I have to say that performing for the Catalan audience is one of the most enjoyable experiences.  They arrive at the concert on time; they fully appreciate every musical work (and you know how obscure some of the stuff I play); they are very vocal about their opinions (which, thank god, are mostly praises); and they drink.  

Let me be very honest here: there is nothing more inviting to a concert pianist than an enthusiastic audience and a bottle of wine after the concert.  Nothing.  Not the money, not the hotel, not the anticipation of the next concert the next day at the next destination. 

回顧過去四年在西班牙巴塞隆拿擧行的演奏會，我可以說這裏的樂迷是一群很值得讚的粉絲。他們除了準時來到音樂會，欣賞每一首演奏作品，當中更包括一些很不普及的作品，而且他們更會毫不吝嗇地給我寶貴的意見及對音樂會的看法！而更重要的是，他們在演奏會後都會跟我去把酒談歡！

 

我可以很老實的跟你說，對一名演奏者來說，世界上没有一樣東西比一班熱情而又真誠的樂迷來得更珍貴！

Piano: Steinway & Sons

Piano: Fazioli

 

Piano: Bechstein