And then we were off.... thankfully an amazing sunrise bid us goodbye.
Early morning clouds didn't suppress our excitement to visit Cannes. We were hoping for some sustained sun, something that had been missing the past two days. We weren't disappointed. Half way through our train ride to Cannes, the sun began shining brilliantly.
Cannes, similar to the other French Riveria towns, was also quite unique in other ways. Two offshore islands combined with the towering massif towards the west, created a unique space. We grabbed some lunch at a haborside pizzeria, then decided to head to one of the offshore island for an afternoon excursion... Ile Maugerite, where the infamous man in the iron mask was held.
The boat trip to the island was fun. Juli got a little chilly on the upstairs deck, so I kept her nice and warm. The trip afforded us some unique views of Cannes. If I always wanted to be a boat captain, Juli always wanted to be sneaky looking.
The island was a little spooky. We went up to the old fort where the man in the iron mask was held for something like 11 years. There was quite a bit of history on the island, I think I recall reading that the first evidence of human settlement goes back to the BC's, although I'd have to double check that. I later received this information from a coworker: "Ile Marguerite was almost certainly inhabited, at least intermittently, back into the Neolithic, if not earlier. Small islands close to the mainland are excellent refuges, esp. as they are usually too small to have predators of humans. They are also attractive in that islands usually have a number of productive ecozones, meaning there will be a variety of potential food sources close together."
We went into the actual cell where the kept "the man." By the way, his identity is a closely guarded secret, well that, or it's unknown. Most people believe he was a trusted advisor of the king, an advisor who betrayed him. After spending time on the island, the prisoner was transferred to the Bastille. There was also some history about a few religious prisoners - my dad would probably like to read about that.
We walked around the island and made our way to the western tip, whereupon I couldn't believe my eyes. There were people surfing, with some nice little chest high waves. It was quite impressive, as I didn't think it was possible to surf in the Mediteranean.
Afterwards, we walked the touristy streets of Cannes and did some shopping. I picked up my sister some unique looking wine rack (sans wine). The day was well spent, and so we were. After getting back to Nice, we went out for a wonderful dinner... the bouillabaisse was absolutely amazing. I still think about it. :)
Final thoughts? Paris was mentally stimulating, the southern coast was physically stimulating.
Cannes, similar to the other French Riveria towns, was also quite unique in other ways. Two offshore islands combined with the towering massif towards the west, created a unique space. We grabbed some lunch at a haborside pizzeria, then decided to head to one of the offshore island for an afternoon excursion... Ile Maugerite, where the infamous man in the iron mask was held.
The boat trip to the island was fun. Juli got a little chilly on the upstairs deck, so I kept her nice and warm. The trip afforded us some unique views of Cannes. If I always wanted to be a boat captain, Juli always wanted to be sneaky looking.
The island was a little spooky. We went up to the old fort where the man in the iron mask was held for something like 11 years. There was quite a bit of history on the island, I think I recall reading that the first evidence of human settlement goes back to the BC's, although I'd have to double check that. I later received this information from a coworker: "Ile Marguerite was almost certainly inhabited, at least intermittently, back into the Neolithic, if not earlier. Small islands close to the mainland are excellent refuges, esp. as they are usually too small to have predators of humans. They are also attractive in that islands usually have a number of productive ecozones, meaning there will be a variety of potential food sources close together."
We went into the actual cell where the kept "the man." By the way, his identity is a closely guarded secret, well that, or it's unknown. Most people believe he was a trusted advisor of the king, an advisor who betrayed him. After spending time on the island, the prisoner was transferred to the Bastille. There was also some history about a few religious prisoners - my dad would probably like to read about that.
We walked around the island and made our way to the western tip, whereupon I couldn't believe my eyes. There were people surfing, with some nice little chest high waves. It was quite impressive, as I didn't think it was possible to surf in the Mediteranean.
Afterwards, we walked the touristy streets of Cannes and did some shopping. I picked up my sister some unique looking wine rack (sans wine). The day was well spent, and so we were. After getting back to Nice, we went out for a wonderful dinner... the bouillabaisse was absolutely amazing. I still think about it. :)
Final thoughts? Paris was mentally stimulating, the southern coast was physically stimulating.
Thanksgiving! Juli and I missed our family and friends a bit, but it was also really nice to be abroad together. We found out about this restaurant in Monaco that did the American-style turkey day. Since we wanted to visit Monaco anyways, it sounded like the perfect plan.
We had planned on heading to Monaco at 9 am, but I was a little tired from the previous days' bike ride, so I decided to sleep in. :) I asked Juli to check the weather at the Internet cafe and pick up some breakfast pastries and she so sweetly accepted. It was raining that morning, but we kept the faith that it could clear up. When Juli got back, I was wrapped up in bed, so she she fed me morsels of the chocolate chip croissant and raisin muffin.
So, after a bit of a delay, we arrived in Monaco! There was only one problem - we couldn't figure out how to get out of the train station. It seemed to be designed for tourists to get lost in the labyrinth of corridors and elevators, although we eventually made it out and were greeted with a view of the port.
We ate some crepes, paninis and coffee at a little touristy cafe outside on the main street. There was some shouting behind us, so I looked back to see what the commotion was about. Labor unrest! In Monaco?
Meandering our way around the port, we eventually made it to the casino. The Monte Carlo.
Too bad we weren't dressed better. But maybe it was for the best, that we didn't lose all our money to the gambling tables. The views outside were nice enough though... these are my favorite pictures from the trip. We were perched outside the casino, right on the edge of the sea, surrounded by the sea, gardens, with steep hilltops and cliffs in the distance.
Flowers and the casino...
Statues...
Looking towards Italy...
I wanted to take Juli to the really extravagantly priced stores like Yves st-Laurent, but she felt shy and under dressed. But I eventually got her to go into one and pretended like we were going to buy some 3000 euro skirt, it was actually very nice. We decided to go somewhere a little cheaper - like Zara. While Juli stressed over every possible outfit, I picked out a new suede jacket.
The extravagance and glamour of Monaco overcame Juli and she felt like a small town girl with no style. But then she bought something and immediately felt better. Go consumerism. Trekking through the back streets, we made our way to Stars and Bars, the American bar that was serving Thanksgiving. Here is Juli's account:
"We got a table, ordered some beers and our dinners, which were very delicious - turkey, stuffing, corn, creamed onions, corn bread and pie. Nate ordered more turkey and they brought him a whole one, literally. We made friends with an English man and his German wife. They were very nice - gave us some ideas of where to visit. Nate talked politics and, when the English guy began to belittle Americans, he stood up for them. "
After catching the train back to Nice, we went home to change and headed to his little cafe in Nice called Havana. We got a few drinks and danced to the Cuban music. Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, was a good day.
On Friday, we went to Menton, this little town next to the Italian border. It's so warm there that lemon trees bloom in January, or something to that effect. The only thing that bloomed that day was our wine bill.
We had planned on heading to Monaco at 9 am, but I was a little tired from the previous days' bike ride, so I decided to sleep in. :) I asked Juli to check the weather at the Internet cafe and pick up some breakfast pastries and she so sweetly accepted. It was raining that morning, but we kept the faith that it could clear up. When Juli got back, I was wrapped up in bed, so she she fed me morsels of the chocolate chip croissant and raisin muffin.
So, after a bit of a delay, we arrived in Monaco! There was only one problem - we couldn't figure out how to get out of the train station. It seemed to be designed for tourists to get lost in the labyrinth of corridors and elevators, although we eventually made it out and were greeted with a view of the port.
We ate some crepes, paninis and coffee at a little touristy cafe outside on the main street. There was some shouting behind us, so I looked back to see what the commotion was about. Labor unrest! In Monaco?
Meandering our way around the port, we eventually made it to the casino. The Monte Carlo.
Too bad we weren't dressed better. But maybe it was for the best, that we didn't lose all our money to the gambling tables. The views outside were nice enough though... these are my favorite pictures from the trip. We were perched outside the casino, right on the edge of the sea, surrounded by the sea, gardens, with steep hilltops and cliffs in the distance.
Flowers and the casino...
Statues...
Looking towards Italy...
I wanted to take Juli to the really extravagantly priced stores like Yves st-Laurent, but she felt shy and under dressed. But I eventually got her to go into one and pretended like we were going to buy some 3000 euro skirt, it was actually very nice. We decided to go somewhere a little cheaper - like Zara. While Juli stressed over every possible outfit, I picked out a new suede jacket.
The extravagance and glamour of Monaco overcame Juli and she felt like a small town girl with no style. But then she bought something and immediately felt better. Go consumerism. Trekking through the back streets, we made our way to Stars and Bars, the American bar that was serving Thanksgiving. Here is Juli's account:
"We got a table, ordered some beers and our dinners, which were very delicious - turkey, stuffing, corn, creamed onions, corn bread and pie. Nate ordered more turkey and they brought him a whole one, literally. We made friends with an English man and his German wife. They were very nice - gave us some ideas of where to visit. Nate talked politics and, when the English guy began to belittle Americans, he stood up for them. "
After catching the train back to Nice, we went home to change and headed to his little cafe in Nice called Havana. We got a few drinks and danced to the Cuban music. Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, was a good day.
On Friday, we went to Menton, this little town next to the Italian border. It's so warm there that lemon trees bloom in January, or something to that effect. The only thing that bloomed that day was our wine bill.
