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We Venture On! |
May 7th 2003
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Ok, firstly, what everyone's itching to know about: Monaco!
We had carefully selected this day for Monaco, as we thought the weather would be better that other days, but unfortunately it rained for most of the day (on and off), and even thundered at times too! Despite this, we didn't let it 'dampen' our spirits, and had a really good time.
Firstly, I could not contain Rich from screaming with excitement as we exited the train station (a very fancy underground affair, making it clear that this was a province with too much money on its hands!), we were confronted with what Rich told me was corner #1 on the Formula 1 circuit!
I was dragged off at a high speed pace around the track, seeing such great sights as 'Casino square', the 'Grand hotel hairpin' all the way past 'Swimming pool' and the port area, to 'La Rassecasse', ending our uncompetitive lap of Monaco.
Adding to Rich's excitment, the Formula 1 track was being constructed around us, catch fencing and grandstands were being casually put up, and traffic flow around this infamous street circuit was being redirected and diverted accordingly.
The icing on the cake for Rich was something we discovered in La Metropole, a giant underground shopping complex near the casino. FNAC (www.fnac.com) is a huge gadget-lover's dream... 42" Plasma screens, cameras, music players... everything that a man could ask for (well almost)! This nationwide chain meant that I was hard-pushed to prize Rich away from it! (Until the appeal of F1 returned, that is ;) )
After walking around the track, we climbed the hill that would lead to the Palace. Through winding hilltop sidestreets, we navigated our way towards the palace, and perched outside it in admiration while we munched some quiche(??). :)
Then we walked to Port Fontvielle, and to 'Monalisamotorsport', a museum dedicated to all kinds of F1 relics including nose sections, overalls and signed helmets, to mention just a few things. It was well timed, as it got us out of a downpour! Rich was in his element.
By this time, the day was nearly over and so we headed back to Nice. A rather crowded train journey was livened up when a english couple hopped on. Squished body to body, the train began to depart and I was greeted with the end of an umbrella up my skirt! Rich, alarmed by my discomfort, addressed the lady asking her to remove the protruding object. She answered saying: "That isn't good for you dancing, is it?" followed by her partner's remark to Rich "that'll help you hit the high notes", as the lady swung the umbrella towards Rich's...legs. Puzzled and confused, we both smiled and nodded, but after further remarks about 'the ferry' and 'Corsica', we queryied them only to discover that they had mis-identified us as members from the Caberet from their cruise ship! Apparently we were absolute look-alikes - they recalled me dancing and Rich singing on the previous night!! Shortly after, they hurried off at Ville Franche Sure Mer, slightly embarassed, and realising the train would not stop where they needed to go. Ah well, it gave us a giggle!
The next day (a much sunnier day than yesterday to Rich's annoyance) we took a train to Cannes. The town was slated undeservedly by our guide but even with this in mind, we gave Cannes our undivided attention. After breifly exploring the centre, we hopped onto a boat bound for the Isles de Lerins, specifically St. Margherite. The boat was enclosed and rusting, clearly showing its age as it roared accross the water. We arrived after a short 15 minute crossing, offering some great views of Cannes. This island's claim to fame is being where the 'Man in the iron mask' was imprisoned in the fort which overlooked the crystal waters. We viewed it more as a haven compared to the bustle of Cannes.
We soon found a picnic spot in a forest clearing, and then explored tracks which straddled the 3km long island. Rich decided to jump into the water after feeling overwhlemed by the heat, and went for a quick paddle... As we had our backpacks, it was difficult for us to swim that day (plus we had no towels!)
Time went really quickly and it was soon time for us to leave. We had a last look around 'historic' Cannes, marvelling at the boats on the way, and then headed back to Nice. On the return journey, a friendly lone traveller from Leeds became engaged in conversation with us. After our train seemed to be going nowhere 15 minutes after it was supposed to depart, the lone traveller went off to investigate. After several minutes, she came rushing back, warning us that our train had broken down, and that another train was leaving bound for Nice. Following her with out bags, she led us onto a TGV (high speed rail link service), and jumped aboard, directing us to 1st class! Shocked and amazed by this slick, high-speed beauty, we settled breifly, before deciding to explore the bar! It was swish and sexy, the silvery bar area was full of businessmen! The journey was over all too soon, at a mere 15 minutes (our old train should have taken 40). Rich had been itching to have a ride in a TGV, and had now had his chance, without paying a penny too! How about that!
The next day, as it was our last day on the Cote, we wanted to finish off in style. Agreeing to treat ourselves, we headed off for Jean-Les-Pins, another coastal resort in the shadow of Cannes. The town itself had little to offer other than 2km of beach. In fact its run-down over-touristy seafront was absolutely nothing to write home about. We where not here for this touristy-hype, but another - "Visiobulle", a large bright yellow glass-bottomed boat which promised us marine views from the 'Bay of Millionnaires'.
We were not one bit disappointed by the trip, although the guide spoke only in French. We were there for the stunning views, and they were what we received gratiously. As the boat set off, we got views all along the Cote coast, and of the luscious green marine islands. the ventured around the bay (unaccessable byt land) and slowed down for our underwater views. As we stepped down to the glass bottomed area, the crystal clear waters gave us perfect views of the world below. We could see coral rockeries, serenaded by schools of fish and some lone travellers with beautiful coloured bodies and a squid too!
On return from our boat trip, we made a speedy exit.
By this time, the weather was heading to 30 degrees and we had our whole afternoon ahead of us. We jumped off the train 2 stops down at Antibes in search of a beach (with some free space!) Walking through Antibes towards the beach, we strolled past the harbour and through a small section of the cute town - if only we had more days to explore the rest! We managed to squeeze on the beach and sun ourselves for 2 hours, and then we headed back slightly browner than before :)
To celebrate our last evening on the Cote (as we now affectionately know it) we went out for a meal at the local Nice 'Buffalo Grill' (which gave Rich a chance to sample a piece of America on the continent!) on behalf of Rich's Dad, so thanks for that David!
We had steak, ribs, profiteroles and hot brownie, and left stuffed!
We set off early with out cases after saying our farewells to Hotel Clemenceau and room 25. We were fortunate to secure an individual, 8-seat, air-conditioned cabine in the 2nd class train all to ourselves for the first 3 hour stint, but the 2nd train from Marseille to Avignon was not so nice.
After a total of 5 hours travelling, we reached our destination: Avignon. The city greeted us with the same glory that our books had given it. Encircled by a wall, Avignon was majestic as we entered the city walls with our cases in tow.
We found our hotel with ease, and were both relieved to discover it's quaint location and friendly atmosphere. Our room was cosy and we collapsed momentarily after our monsterous journey.
The rest of the day was spent exploring the old city, which was slit from North to South with it's main street leading to the Palace of the Popes at it's northern edge, and some beautiful gardens too. The city was beautiful, and we loved exploring it.
Day 2 from Avignon, we took a short train ride to Orange, a small city with 2 historic beauties. Firstly, a wonderful Roman Ampitheatre. Climbing an adjacent hill, we got superb views. Because the entrance fee was distinctly anti-student, we decided not to go in, having alreday seen the best view.
We then set up to see the Arc du Triumph, and then took a train back to Avignon, dedicating our evening to a further exploration of the city.
Today, we travelled to Aix-En-Provence. This fanastic city has a Parisian feel to it as we walked down the broad and tree-lined main street. It's been a pleasure to explore the old town (and it's shops!) and we look forward to continuing after this post!
Again, Internet Cafes out here seem to not want us to load on the pics! We will keep trying.
Love to everyone, hope you are all well :)
Katie and Rich xx
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Listed by : Katie
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