No, we aren't reconsidering our marriage vows after reaching the half-way point toward paying off our boat. This is the phrase that came into my head as I reviewed some photos from this year's cruise, which saw us rubbing elbows (er, um... rub rails?) with the rich and possibly famous, as well as wandering through run-down, abandoned (often charming) backstreets. The juxtaposition of derelict cities and obscene wealth left a lasting impression on us. Here are some shots that didn't make it into other blog posts to show you what I mean.
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| We spent a couple of nights with super yacht Nero. For $45k per week, you and 12 friends can rent her. |
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| The shabby-chic back alleys of Bastia. |
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I was eager to take photos of rich neighbors anytime I saw a boat that was NOT a cigarette go-fast pecker-stretcher, or as the french say, a big "suppositoire".
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| In case you like suppository boats... |
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| I love the pigeon in the small hole top left trying to figure out what the hell I'm shooting. |
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| This Russian mega-yacht (one of the largest sailing yachts in the world) dwarfs the Mareda-sized sail boat approaching from the left.
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| We saw quite a few of these renovated tug boats, as well as the near-ubiquitous inflatable pink flamingo on the bow. |
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| When one of these boats arrives in the anchorage, it is only a matter of minutes before all the toys come out. Here, an inflatable slide spills into a netted pool (to keep out beasties). There are also jet-skis, scuba jets, and water jet packs, all with certified instructors, and one of the crew always has a drone buzzing overhead for the souvenir video. |
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| The best of both worlds: richly-renovated recently-shabby architecture. |
