Auberge de la Gardiole Antibes

... changed (or perhaps evolved?) that day when she stood at the Thai/Cambodian border.<br><br>This trip is the result of that change/evolution. <br><br>I know there are intrepid travellers all over the world, but I wasn&#8217;t one of them. <br><br>Watch this space&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;..

After brekkie it was onto Menton which is a lovely little town just before the Italian border. Menton is a much more down to earth place than its neighbours and more our scene. We found a park right on the beach and went for a wander and took in sum much needed sun. Next stop Italia!!<br>

Up early as it was a spectacular sunrise - full of pinks and organges. We wanted to hit McWifi before we entered Italy but we did not find one until later in the day in Menton. Before that we drove the coast road through Nice and Monte Carlo, both concrete ...

... wine bottle and then we thought they were off on the trail, but no they got in the car and drove on! <br> At the end of the gorge we joined the road towards Cannes, which was route Napoleon, orginially created by him as a pass through the mountains...very windy. Our destination for the evening was Grasse where we found a good park overlooking the city lights and our first view of the Med.

... Sailboats were docked at the marina (knez, it made me think of you). Diane ordered mussles and Jon and I had our first mussels ever. They were delicious. Thank you Diane for helping me discover my love for sea food. St-Tropez was further than we thought, but thank god we ...

... Canadian Prairies to immigrant Ukrainian parents, who's now raised a family of her own, continues to value and be proud of her Ukrainian heritage! So, today, Elsie becomes Lesia, that beautiful Ukrainian Princess! And could there be a more appropriate location than Monaco! For those who may not be aware, the name Elsie translates to Lesia in Ukrainian.<br><br>So, the Ruby Princess takes Princess Lesia to ...

... shore and apartments all along the foreshore. A mariner full of crazy big boats with the owner's Ferrari cars parked opposite their boats. The beach was full of sun baking people, the majority topless. Of course we weren't complaining;) But you have to take the good with the bad... Unfortunately no one wants to see 70 year old boobs on a beautiful beach. Anyway, the place was rich, beautiful and lots of fun; we loved it. There was an amazing singer on the street with the most ...

... of making jokes about my French but it was a very relaxed, friendly atmosphere and I don't mind being made fun of. I understand very well, so I wasn't lost in the conversations, I just stumble when I'm supposed to speak. After the main meal, we had the cheese course, of course, but I can't remember which cheeses we had. The dessert was a huge apple tart (like the one I got for my birthday but with almonds). Around dessert, Maxou's older brother, Joffrey ...

... for Ferrari parked outside the Casino, no a far more sedate and sexy looking navy blue or black. Bentley seems to be the new Rolls Royce, although there were also plenty of those on display around the town. Bit like the Gold Motor yacht in the harbour, very definitely "on display". "The World" - the cruise ship owned by the residents of the apartments it comprises, was in port and it was interesting to see it up close after seeing it cruise out of ...

... Azur. We had a few problems checking into our hotel as noone was there to welcome us - but after a few phone calls we were able to reach the owner of the hotel and check in. We then walked into town where we met up with the happy couple and their family for a relaxed dinner. It was amazing to have so many friends from China back together on one table!!