Today was an interesting day for us. Because we did not sign up for the excursion along the French Riviera, we basically had the whole day to ourselves. That meant that we did not have to get up as early as the rest of the group (if we didn’t want to), catching a little more shut-eye so that we were ready for the day. We had agreed to meet Alf and Diane for Breakfast at 8:00 AM (as they had not signed up for the excursion either) and decide what the day will hold. So, that’s what we did.
At breakfast, Kassie came by and asked if we needed anything from her before she went off to the excursion. We sort of asked her what she would recommend and she (yet again) indicated that she would hop the train to Nice and check it out. So, that’s exactly what we decided to do. Peter and Pat had also not signed up for the tour so they asked if they could tag along as well. The more, the merrier.
We met in the lobby of the hotel and scooted over to the train station which is just 4 or 5 blocks away. With a little help from information, we proceeded to the ticket office and bought 6 return tickets from Cannes to Nice. The trains run about every 20 minutes or so and it’s only about a 20-25 minute ride from Cannes to Nice. Once we had our tickets we headed for the platform, only to arrive just as the train’s door’s closed. This particular train was a direct train to Nice – so it would arrive a little sooner. Oh well. I had also found a hat pin on the floor of a little maroon rose and I tried to return it to the lady that I thought dropped it. Apparently she didn’t and had been well coached as she thought I was one of the many street vendors trying to sell her a hat pin. She promptly told me, “No thank-you” and walked away. Ok, fine. I’ll keep the pin. Actually, Diane mentioned that it was her favorite color, so I gave it to her.
The next train to Nice arrived and we all hopped on board. We jumped into the last car as it was way less crowded. It was also quite hot and stuffy. Oh well, when in France…
We arrived in Nice and left the train station with the thought to head down to the promenade (the location of the terrorist attack on the people at the Bastille day festivities). Although I have never been there before, the place had an eerie quietness about is as people wandered between the little memorials that were all set up along the route. It was as if they set one up where each person had been killed. Some were small and intimate, with candles, teddy bears, flowers and inscriptions in French. Others were larger and had rocks from the beach with words of encouragement written on them. There was also a larger memorial area closer to the square with many, many flowers. The place was also full of journalists wandering the promenade with the large video cameras. There were a few reporters recording their stories with the memorial scene behind them. I just wandered around through the various memorials taking pictures and just being reflective. When I reached the end, I pulled out my phone and took an impromptu video that I posted on Instagram. I’ll include it here (if I can actually get it to upload to YouTube – the link here is pretty slow).
After we walked the full length of the promenade, I found a place to take a picture of the Nice coast and beach. The coastline is stunningly beautiful. The beaches however, could take a few lessons from some other places I’ve been. They are rock beaches (someone called them ‘pebble’ beaches). Some of the larges rocks were about the size of a large egg. I’m not sure I’d call that “pebbles”. Most people seemed to bring a chair and sit in that, not laying directly on the “pebbles”. Although there were a few that did spread out their towel directly on the rocks.
We then turned up a street and began walking away from the promenade. It was quite warm so we all decided to stop at a small place and have a smoothie/milkshake. While we were sitting there (and I forgot to mention that there were city police, national police and military EVERYWERE as the president of France was to be in Nice for the memorial ceremony), we are certain that the French President’s motorcade came down the street and turned right in front of us. We also saw, what we think, was the harried florist who showed up in his tiny van with the large white spray of flowers that we believe were for the president to place at the memorial. He seemed like he was little behind schedule and the fact that the police would not let him drive closer to the venue made him even more flustered. We watched him grab the flowers and run down the street to get them to the right person.
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| The French President's Vehicle |
From there we wandered into a few more shops on our way back towards the train station. As we were walking, the bells sounded and everyone stopped where they were and observed a moment of silence. Then, (I’m not sure how many) some canons were fired. It, once again, was a somber moment.
We arrived at the station and searched the board for the next train to Cannes. There was one on the board, but it didn’t have a platform letter yet – so we patiently waited. Shortly there-after, the platform letter “B” came up so we headed to the correct spot. We waited for about 15 minutes and the train appeared. This one was quite a bit bigger than the one we came to Nice on. We all found a seat, and took the short ride back to Cannes. It was warm on the train – I nearly fell asleep.
Once back in Cannes, we were walking back to the hotel when Diane and Laureen decided to stop at a store, while Alf and I ran back to the hotel to drop off the few purchases that were made, and so that I could change into my swim suit. Alf and I met in the lobby of the hotel and then headed back to where we left the girls. Peter and Pat decided they were going to walk up to the old castle on the hill and check out the old church up there as well.
We met the girls, and fortunately nothing had been purchased. We went down to water, but realized that there was not much there to eat (like a sit down place), so we back tracked a little and found a nice place on a corner. Side note: there are a plethora of restaurants in the streets of Cannes – so there is never a problem finding one! Laureen and I ordered a pizza each, which we thought would be personal size. It wasn’t. We could have easily shared one. I barely got through mine and Laureen had to leave about 1/3 of hers. Alf and Diane had the same issue with the sandwiches they ordered. I wish I would have had my camera out when Diane got hers. Her expression was priceless.
After lunch we headed back to the public beach. Alf and Diane each took turns standing in the water taking pictures. I took one of both of them. Then, I removed my shirt, emptied my pockets and headed for the water. It was cool – but not cold. The water in Mara Lake where we used to go was definitely colder than this. Once, in the coolness of the water was just what I needed. Spent a few minutes swimming around, then came back to the beach. Alf & Diane decided to head back to the hotel and rest up a little (Di had not been feeling well for the first part of the trip).
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| Laureen and Alf in the Water |
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| Me - Center - Very Small |
We attempted to rent a couple of chairs on a private beach. The lady wanted 31 Euro’s per person for the chairs. That was the full day price and we were well past the full day as it was 4:00-ish. She said something about closing at 6:30, so I offered to buy just an hour (cause that’s all we really wanted). She wouldn’t sell me that – she wanted me to buy the whole day. Now I know why the country is in the economic situation they are in. she could have made an extra $20 Euro for the day – instead she got none.
We walked back to the hotel and Laureen changed into her baiting suit so that we could head to the spa/pool. We spent about an hour there just cooling off, sitting in the steam room and soaking in the jetted tub. It was nice – but I think I enjoyed the beach more.
When we were done that, we went back to our room and changed. I wanted to go check out the small castle and church at the top of the hill where we ate dinner the night before. Laureen didn’t want to make the trek so she stayed in the room and I went on my own. I guess it was a good thing as when I got there the place had been closed for some kind of music night festival thing. I got to take a couple of pictures – mostly of the scenic water because the view was nice from there.
Texted Laureen when I was on my way back and we met down close to the wharf for an ice-cream. This was in place of dinner. Yes, ice-cream in place of dinner can be done when you are in Cannes on your 50th birthday celebration (Kids – don’t try this at home – we are professionals).
After the ice-cream we looked for a pharmacy that was open – but they were all closed. So, we stopped in what I would refer to as a department store and bought some water and some skin moisturizer. The lady two in front of us at the cashier decided that she did not want the two large bottles of water that she had originally purchased. Somehow the cashier got mixed up and had to re-ring through her entire grocery order. I guess we don’t have anywhere specific we have to be.
Paid for our stuff and headed back to the hotel. Tomorrow is a 7:00 AM Bags out and 8:00 AM departure for Monaco, Pisa and Florence. I’ll have to brush up on my Italian!
Curt & Laureen in Cannes, France.
PS - we both have colds. What a rotten time to get one!
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