La Bastide de Valbonne

... or as they say, American) style gaming.

I had a relaxing time. Bit of shopping, eating, drinking and walking around just admiring the wealthy end of the world. It is expensive tho. Meals and drinks are way over-priced (about $17 aussie for a Johnny Walker & coke!). You even have to pay to use the toilet at the shopping centre and main tourist areas. I won some money at the main casino, then lost it (and some more) at the hotel ...

So this morning a grumpy linda rolled out of bed at 6 am ready to get on the school bus and start class. yep that's right. i've gone back in time to highschool.....

The grumpiness wore off tho as becca and i trekked down to the bus stop. i can't even describe how beautiful watching the sunrise over the gulf was. the sky had a pink color, and all the hills were a pale blue/ green in the distance the sea was periwinkle. it was definitely a far better ...

... the most beautiful boats in the world are in MonteCarlo...

Language is more interesting in france. If we try to do the simple tourist things then most people can work out what is going on but when we try something else eg. going to the doctor (sue has been sick) going to a chemist.. or finding a Laundamatt.. then the language thiig is a bit more animated....

have some grat pics of Nice and French Rivierra to show when we get home...

Hey team!!!!
so 2 weeks into france and i've yet to write a thing. im so bad at this game. meh.
today i went to the beach, it was wonderful!!!! becca thought it was cold, she was wrong :)

so apparently sainte maxime is infiltrated by german tourists, who knew? the only frenchies on the beach were...well enjoying themselves quite a bit..... ;-)
oh frenchies. :)

omg do ...

... tomorrow. The hotel is the flashest i have ever stayed at. There was a gala ball on tonight and some famous people (tv cameras here and all!). I didn't recognise anyone tho. Had a drink at the bar to soak up the atmosphere. My view is fantastic.

Not going to update the travel blog for a few days while I enjoy the relax time in Monte Carlo. Will summarise it all with photos once I’m on my way to Italy. Here’s hoping the weather shines for me.

Just paid a fleeting visit to St Tropez on the way to Avignon (so we thought)... had to be done really.. a quick wander around and a very quick coffee. It was much smaller than I thought. Lots of nice boats but loads of tourists too.... that was about it!

... speak Italian, 5. People who are rude (usually English or American). Monte Carlo as you can imagine is quite hilly and after wandering around the old town near the palace the legs soon wore out. We found a little place for lunch. We somehow order something in my very faltering French. A table of northern English sit beside us and ask at least twice if the waitress speaks Anglais ...

Woo hoo for sunshine and beach! Got here at 4pm, took 3 minutes to get to hostel and went straight down to the beach. A bit of a shock to see big grey pebbles instead of smooth white sand... but hey, I can adapt. Spent a couple of hours there - got me a bruise on my rib when lying on my front... There's a unique souvenir... Had Maccas as post-beach/dinner meal... How very French... Have fridge and ...

... from not sleeping well the night before in St. Tropez - the room smelled like rotten eggs. Anyway, so when we arrived I didn't feel like doing much. The weather was overcast so we decided to make the day a "lazy Sunday" day. I took a couple hour nap then we woke up and walked down and had a couple beers, then dinner and that was pretty much it. The town is super small, you could walk the entire town in 20 minutes easy. Yesterday, however, was a busy day ...

Early start, over the time line, on the way to the white cliffs of Dover, then onto the ferry. what a ferry, lots to do - eat, drink, sleep, play games, shop- brought a watch for 9 pound. Arrive on the coast of France - another stamp in passport. First glipmse of French men- police- Yum!! Drove past some of the World War 2 sites, a bit of a reality check. Very flat green land, onto Paris. What a beautiful city Paris is old buildings, new ...