The Corsican Adventure-Part deux

The times that Frank and I have traveled to Europe we usually get a few Euros from our bank in the US and then withdraw a larger amount(s) from the ATM at the airport of whatever country we are traveling to, it is a better exchange rate if you do it over there. This time was no different.  I can't remember how much Frank exchanged here, about 100 euro or so which I think is more than usual but we did have layover at two airports in France and one has to eat and drink.  Our layover in Paris just gave us enough time to get our passports stamped and run the entire length of the airport to our connecting gate so this was not the place. Our layover is Marseilles was another story, 3 hours and 55 minutes, with not a heck of a lot to do in a very pretty, open space airport. Frank walked around and found no ATMs, you had to go outside so we decided to wait until we arrived in Bastia.  By the time we arrived in Bastia we had been up for more than 24 hours and on several planes.  We felt reinforced by the fact that all of our luggage had arrived at it's destination and were eager to get this adventure on it's way, so we ran across the lot to the Europcar lot, picked up our Citroen and off we went.  We had our dinner at the restaurant in the hotel, which is a separate business, and it was time to pay.  We didn't have enough Euros so we gave the adorable waitress a credit card, out she came with her machine and inserted it, it didn't work, another card, same thing, my cards, same thing.  We ask her to call the other waitress who seems more experienced, she tries, same thing, she stares at the card- "oh, it's a swipe card", their machine doesn't have that option.  The nice French couple next to us explains how American cards swipe, European insert and not all businesses have a machine that does both since it costs money "You are in a very different France here, they prefer cash".  Luckily we are staying at the hotel and promise to have cash tomorrow, they are very gracious and the food is delicious.
 

The next day is Sunday which concerns me. Our village is on the side of a mountain, I doubt there is an ATM, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, let alone Sunday. We ask the woman at the desk, one of two who are both new to us and after much sign language and gesticulating she says "L'ile Rousse"! Only 20 minutes on the D13. Off we go and find the silver lining on this cloud.

The bluest Mediterranean beach in a bustling little town just ---yes---20 minutes on the D13, one of the best and easiest mountain winding hairpin turn roads yet! And, in addition to plenty of ATMs 
they have an open air market to boot!

We vow to return to that beautiful beach and step foot into the Mediterranean for the first time.

Luckily on our jaunt over to the ATM we found that the village of Pigna is right off of the D13, which is very convenient since we are having dinner there this same night.

U Palazzo sits on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, the sunsets are spectacular and so is the food.

The village itself is quite the draw, extremely charming with tiny little cobblestone streets and beautiful views from everywhere, 

but then again that is Corsica. 

Referring back again to "The Pillars of Hercules", Theroux writes how Corsica has only a "couple of good roads and many bad ones but all are spectacular".

I would have to agree.