Sylvabelle Marseille

... and instead went out to a great classic Provencal dinner, and got some good wine. But then, we started to see a couple kids in costumes, or rather just kids in sheets. I think one of them had a mask. But on our way back from dinner, we found the bar scene. Mostly it was just people out on a normal Saturday night, but we had to at least go check it out. We were somewhat impressed with the Halloween scene, and probably could ...

... planning at all!<br><br>But tonight we&#8217;re talking a relaxing voyage by boat over the Medeterranian. Which will be followed by another. A few relaxing sailing days it would seems. Not exactly what I thought we were going to be doing, but it will work. We have our own berth with a shower and bed. Oh the luxuries never end! At least these 2 fools will rest well tonight and prepare for what lies ahead. <br>

... present was some cereal and kidney beans from Amy...we're waiting to experience her famous chilli con carne (hint hint). However, the French don't really 'do' birthday cakes in the same way that we do, so, instead of spending 15&#8364; on an admitttedly beautiful patisserie cake, we've been sticking candles in madeleines and such like, so not all of our birthday traditions are lost!<br><br>As well as some of this quite blatant indulgement, we've also been immersing ...

Bonjour avec Aix-en-Provence Cherie<br>Since the last news we have visited the Cote D'Azur spending time at Monte Carlo and Antibes. We stayed near Antibes at a place called Biot and at night you could hear the seals at nearby Marineland - very strange. It was still quite hot and stickey with more mozzies. Monte Carlo was wall to wall money with billions of dollars in boats and cars. Antibes was similar but it had a lovely old town as well.<br>We arrived ...

... I have to spend $8 for a sandwich and bad coffee- like Maxwell House espresso or something- to find out whether their WiFi&#8217;s up and running, then that won&#8217;t work. I&#8217;ve got about one more place to try, and then I&#8217;ll have no other option but funky cyber-cafes. Welcome to 1999. I like my room, though. The French have just about perfected the combo bed/bathroom, which allows them to save dirty face ...

... part - when I entered the sea, I felt an unpleasant smell of H2S (I don't know how to call it in English). Then I saw some bubbles rising from the sand up to the surface of the water. It is so strange they actually have spring water just in the sea and they have no idea about it! H2S is a very useful gas for the skin and hair.<br>And yes the sun is burning so it's better to ...

... speak to a little old man and he points me in another direction. I then go a couple of streets too far and am lost again. Its startig to get late its now past 8pm and it is starting to get dark. I then find a map discarded, it must be a sign and soon enough I find the Youth Hostel. I get the last room available and then head back up to the Station which is only 5 mins away and retrieve the rest of my luggage. There is something I instantaneously don ...

... boredom. So I cook noodles in my room and make sandwiches to order. The space between my window and the outside shutters makes a fine fridge, thank you. They have a combination cranberry/mango juice here, so all is right with the world. Kidney stones are in remission and I'm taking the TGV to Paris Sunday. I've got a wi-fi signal in my room, just by accident. Plan C just might salvage this trip yet. I've had visions of ...

... diversity not seen in other parts of our trip. We drove though 'little north Africa' on the way to our hotel and saw Indian stores and other ethnic enclaves. Our dinner later in the evening was in a square that seemed alot like Brooklyn, NYC. Interesting place but unfortunately not enough time to do proper exploring as we left the following am back to Paris. Another time another place....

... council would have a seizure over the compacancy of the locals over their pets and the associated fecal matter. Marseille is also seedier than any other french city, over the years it has worked up quite the reputation of drug usage, violence and general crime, exaggerated yes, false no. The same phrase came up again and again, "go and see that, its fantastic, just dont go there at night." But all these elements only added to the excitement of ...