TRAVEL ESSAY
Travel Essay
The Exotic Coast of Marseille
On a discreet edge of the mountain as I was overlooking the Morgiou village, I thought I had got the ideal spot to bivouac. However, events quickly went downhill from thereon. It began with the occasional sounds of rummaging in the bushes above me. This occurred every moment I was quiet, purposely prolonging movement. When night came in, the outlook of what could be sneaking out there in the dusk started to cloud my mind. Before was a beautiful mountainous view overlooking a small village started to feel more like a hunting place, although I was the grounds prey. Now being unable to bear the anticipation further, I rose and turned my torch on. I couldnt believe my eye. There were dazzling eyes in the thickets right above me, watching me. Let me stop for a minute and elaborate on how I found myself in this situation.
The Wild Coast
This explorer fell in love with the wild coast.
Image at https://www.marseille-tourisme.com/en/discover-marseille/highlights/nature/if-castle-and-frioul-islands/
Exhausted from using the public transport systems across Western Europe, I decided that it was time for me to encounter the in-betweens of destinations. Throughout most of our history as humans, individuals have been traveling to different destinations on foot, so physically going to the areas they ventured to. Today, people take transportation for granted-we close their eyes, play music, and voila! We have reached our destination. There is no offense in doing this. Current means of transportation have been incredibly convenient. However, I wanted to experience the arrival to places on foot.
The Massif des Calanques
My adventure on foot enabled me to discover the Massif des Calanques in Southern France. It is a symbolic stretch of mountainous coast. This rugged and wild landscape extends between the second-largest city in France, Marseille and Cassis, the fishing town. This region is also the only European national park to be peri-urban, marine, and terrestrial at the same time. Being a haven for those looking for epic hikes and beaches, this Mediterranean wonder is one of Frances most beautiful places. In the national parks heart lies a colossal limestone cliff, scored with deep valleys. These rocks cropped up several years ago, probably in the Crisis of Messinian Salinity. To encounter how humans moved before the public transport invention, my plan was to trek to Cassis from Marseille through the Calanques National Park.
Towards the end of June, an ex-military veteran who happened to be my Airbnb host whizzed me down to the beginning of the trail on his motorcycle. Nevertheless, I was more afraid of his driving than the hike itself. Despite a few miscalculations and errors, the initial night went as planned. I alighted at the Callelongue port at about four oclock in the evening. The port is usually called le bout du monde, which means the end of the world. Beyond the port of Callelongue marks the entrance of the national park where the wilderness starts, therefore the end of civilization or the world. While I was a mile away to the East of Marseille, I spent the night on the Calanque de la Mounines shore. The shore is a tiny enchanting inlet known for its starfish, scorpionfish, and sea urchins. An ancient semaphore that seemed abandoned overlooks this narrow cove. While listening to the waves rocking forward and backward, I saw a resemblance of the national parks remarkable biodiversity.
This psychedelic yellow-silver ragwort was developing out of the rocks crack. The place had wild yet strangely beautiful plants. When dusk came in, the smallest sounds of the wilderness magnified. The amazing ocean crawled towards my...
…one knows where we are. I started to imagine that he was referring to him and me as we journey together in spirit. I followed the song while bearing this lonely mountain footpaths
consequences. When I paused to see these majestic cliffs and miraculous limestone developments, I picked up a tiny rock from under my feet. Whatever occurred from there on, accompanied by this mountain ranges little fragment, I will live to remember the strange coast of Marseille.
About Marseille
Though Marseille is one of Frances biggest cities, most guests will focus their Marseille sightseeing around Vieux Ports area (Martinelli, 2019). On one weekend, I decided to begin my Marseille activities with a typical French market trip. While there were many alternatives nearby, I went for the March Place Jean Jaurs. I picked this place because it was in an up and coming neighborhood; I was amazed. My waiter never spoke English, but he went through the menu slowly and nicely to translate (Durin, 2015). The menu had a mixture of salads, quiche, and burgers. I ordered salads and was not disappointed. I passed a relaxing and delicious meal with a glass of local red wine.
Marseille is worth visiting. As you can see, I found my one-week adventure just too short to cover everything. With friendly and delightful people, great food, and affordable accommodation, I think it is one of the best cities to visit when you arrive in France (Menzies & Aix-Marseille, 2011). If you love speaking French, you will have a chance to speak French when you arrive in Marseille, without being answered in English. When I passed through Marseille on a train, it looked a bit gritty, and I am sure that, like most big cities, it may even be dangerous in parts. However, Marseille is also pretty friendly, vibrant,…
