Wednesday, August 03, 2005
31 July to 4 August Nice (niece) is Nice
Bon Jour
Merci, thanks once again for your emails, my time here on the French Riviera is precious and limited so havent had time until now for Internet. Thinking about you all though. You know the saying BEAUTIFUL ONE DAY, PERFECT THE NEXT. That is my life at the moment. Let me explain. This is my style of place. The italian influence in Southern France is obvious in the food and the friendliness of the French people. I love it here. My motel window opens and i can see all the balconies at night and up on the hill is Elton Johns house. With binoculars i would be able to see what he is doing. Perhaps that is not such a good idea. His lights were on and his pink rolls has been spotted in town. While i am name dropping, Rod Stewart walked right up to me at St Paul De Vence, a nice little 14th century medieval town where artists like picasso and matisse went for inspiration. So u can imagine how beautiful the landscape is out there in the countryside. I had breakfast there, freshly baked spinach quiche and coffee.
Also went to a gorgeous little town called EZE where BONO FROM U2 bought a house. If you get a chance, look them up on the internet, too hard to describe. I had a yummy crepe for lunch there. Visited Fragonard perfumery and of course bought myself a little indulgence.
Also spent a whole day at St Tropez where I hiked up to the citadel. As u all know, i am not a shopper and really that is what St Tropez is all about, so apart from the beautiful ocean views, it is not my cup of tea. Brigitte Bardot lives there, a recluse. On the way back we (minibus tour) stopped at a little place called Port Grimaud, a cross between St Huberts Is and Venice. I could spend a few weeks there. We sailed around on a little boat. Actually i have been out on a boat of some sort everyday since arriving in Nice. This is the life!
Cannes was nice I had ice cream and a nice walk along the beach and the mandatory photo on the red carpet. Main street is full of name brand shops, preferred my walk along the beach, actually had sand. I say that because where i am staying in Nice, the beach is all pebbles.
Speaking of Nice, once i got here i just knew this was the place for me so immediately booked 4 nights: 5 days of heaven. I am so happy here near the water. I now know where I will go to contemplate life when i win lotto. Notice i said when. Villefrance is right next door and Rothchild house; Mick Jagger, Bill Gates and Tina Turner all have homes there. Seriously beautiful area for the rich and famous.
Speaking of which i havent even mentioned MONACO. I have been there 3 times, just cant get enough. First for an evening at the Casino. Chandeliers etc; I got all dressed up to make sure they would let me in. Didnt do too much damage and i just had to have a flutter at the real Monte Carlo casino. The 2nd visit was to the palace on The Rock and the old town by minibus, saw the changing of the guards and apparently albert was home because the flag was raised, also did a few laps of the Formula One circuit, the Cathedral where Grace and Rainier are buried. The 3rd visit was today by cruise. Thought it would be nice to see it from the water. So the Cote D Azur as the French call the Riviera certainly lived up to all my expectations.
By the way Elizabeth, i dont have to worry about the toilet seats. You know in Monaco I got the shock of my life. Thank God I hadnt been drinking, when I flushed the toilet, something came out from the back and the whole toilet seat rotated through this thing and was cleaned. I just stared in amazement.
For all those concerned about my overnight trip on the bus, it went well apart from arriving at the hotel at 4 am. Security gave me a pillow and let me sleep in the foyer as it was way too early for check in. I felt like a park bum. I did get too sleep but the bus had to stop to pay so many tolls that i woke up every time. There are 16 tolls between Barcelona and Italy. The views before it was dark were like the movie chocalat. Houses here have to be an earthy colour so they looked beautiful in the sunset.
Tomorrow night i leave 9 pm by overnight train to Rome, i have booked a sleeper and arrive at 6 am. Italy here I come!
By the way, i have saved about 1,000 Euro doing this leg of the trip on my own instead of with Trafalgar tours.
Getting late and i have a very long walk back to the hotel along the beachfront; so i will love u and leave u there. Nite nite everyone.
I have been out boating every day because the boat harbour is only a few blocks from my hotel.
Merci, thanks once again for your emails, my time here on the French Riviera is precious and limited so havent had time until now for Internet. Thinking about you all though. You know the saying BEAUTIFUL ONE DAY, PERFECT THE NEXT. That is my life at the moment. Let me explain. This is my style of place. The italian influence in Southern France is obvious in the food and the friendliness of the French people. I love it here. My motel window opens and i can see all the balconies at night and up on the hill is Elton Johns house. With binoculars i would be able to see what he is doing. Perhaps that is not such a good idea. His lights were on and his pink rolls has been spotted in town. While i am name dropping, Rod Stewart walked right up to me at St Paul De Vence, a nice little 14th century medieval town where artists like picasso and matisse went for inspiration. So u can imagine how beautiful the landscape is out there in the countryside. I had breakfast there, freshly baked spinach quiche and coffee.
Also went to a gorgeous little town called EZE where BONO FROM U2 bought a house. If you get a chance, look them up on the internet, too hard to describe. I had a yummy crepe for lunch there. Visited Fragonard perfumery and of course bought myself a little indulgence.
Also spent a whole day at St Tropez where I hiked up to the citadel. As u all know, i am not a shopper and really that is what St Tropez is all about, so apart from the beautiful ocean views, it is not my cup of tea. Brigitte Bardot lives there, a recluse. On the way back we (minibus tour) stopped at a little place called Port Grimaud, a cross between St Huberts Is and Venice. I could spend a few weeks there. We sailed around on a little boat. Actually i have been out on a boat of some sort everyday since arriving in Nice. This is the life!
Cannes was nice I had ice cream and a nice walk along the beach and the mandatory photo on the red carpet. Main street is full of name brand shops, preferred my walk along the beach, actually had sand. I say that because where i am staying in Nice, the beach is all pebbles.
Speaking of Nice, once i got here i just knew this was the place for me so immediately booked 4 nights: 5 days of heaven. I am so happy here near the water. I now know where I will go to contemplate life when i win lotto. Notice i said when. Villefrance is right next door and Rothchild house; Mick Jagger, Bill Gates and Tina Turner all have homes there. Seriously beautiful area for the rich and famous.
Speaking of which i havent even mentioned MONACO. I have been there 3 times, just cant get enough. First for an evening at the Casino. Chandeliers etc; I got all dressed up to make sure they would let me in. Didnt do too much damage and i just had to have a flutter at the real Monte Carlo casino. The 2nd visit was to the palace on The Rock and the old town by minibus, saw the changing of the guards and apparently albert was home because the flag was raised, also did a few laps of the Formula One circuit, the Cathedral where Grace and Rainier are buried. The 3rd visit was today by cruise. Thought it would be nice to see it from the water. So the Cote D Azur as the French call the Riviera certainly lived up to all my expectations.
By the way Elizabeth, i dont have to worry about the toilet seats. You know in Monaco I got the shock of my life. Thank God I hadnt been drinking, when I flushed the toilet, something came out from the back and the whole toilet seat rotated through this thing and was cleaned. I just stared in amazement.
For all those concerned about my overnight trip on the bus, it went well apart from arriving at the hotel at 4 am. Security gave me a pillow and let me sleep in the foyer as it was way too early for check in. I felt like a park bum. I did get too sleep but the bus had to stop to pay so many tolls that i woke up every time. There are 16 tolls between Barcelona and Italy. The views before it was dark were like the movie chocalat. Houses here have to be an earthy colour so they looked beautiful in the sunset.
Tomorrow night i leave 9 pm by overnight train to Rome, i have booked a sleeper and arrive at 6 am. Italy here I come!
By the way, i have saved about 1,000 Euro doing this leg of the trip on my own instead of with Trafalgar tours.
Getting late and i have a very long walk back to the hotel along the beachfront; so i will love u and leave u there. Nite nite everyone.
I have been out boating every day because the boat harbour is only a few blocks from my hotel.
# posted by Gisela @ 10:50 AM 
