Cote d'Azur

Trip Start Aug 10, 2008
1
6
14
Trip End Aug 31, 2008


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Flag of France  ,
Saturday, August 16, 2008

Finally the day that Attila has been waiting for!  We're off to the Riviera to enjoy the sunshine and surf.  But first we had to get there.  We decided that we could avoid paying the Freeway tolls by taking smaller highway and side roads.  Attila enjoys driving on those road more anyway and I can actually saty awake, unlike travelling via freeway.  However, we did not anticipate that this was a long weekend in France and everybody and his neighbour was heading for the beach.  It took us a whole day to drive from Arles to Antibes.  But, the view was spectacular and the weather was good for driving.

We arrived at our B&B exhausted and ready to stretch our legs.  We headed into town to explore and find a place to eat (our favorite challenge).  We again opted for Italian and after paying 40€ for an average meal at a restaurant that Rick Steves labeled economical, we decided that we have had enough of restaurant eating for a while.  Strolling through the old town after dinner, we found a phone and took advantage of the opportunity to call home.  We then clamboured over the ramparts and settled in to watch the fireworks in Nice before heading back to the B&B for a good night's sleep.

In the morning, we gathered our beach stuff together and our hostess graciously offered us the use of a beach umbrella and cushions.  We walked down to the beach carrying our gear and staked our claim on a couple square meters of rocky shore.  The sea was wonderful.  Just the right temperature to cool down when the sun got too hot.  And hey, this time, no sunburn!  After several hours of seaside fun, we hiked back up to our hotel.  In seeking advice from our host as to where to dine, we decided to stay at the B&B for dinner.  Our host is a trained chef and was preparing a French cuisine for dinner.  With a couple of hours to kill until dinner, we showered off the sea salt and walked down to the nearby amusement park.  I couldn't convince Attila to go on any rides with me except the Ferris Wheel but it was just as well since the rides were 3-5€ per ride.

Dinner started with aperatifs in the salon (a wonderful patio area).  We were dining with our hosts and two other fanilies: a couple from Paris and a young family from Alsace.  After the aperatifs and entrees (appetizers), we went to the outdoor dining area where we were served tuna steaks with ratatouille, spaghetti, and salad.  (Yes mom, I ate fish.  Can you believe it?  It wasn't even fishy.  And our host even gave Attila some hot peppers.)  After dinner we enjoyed coffee/tea and a dessert made with lady fingers dipped in coffee liquor and served with ice cream.  The food was good, but I particularly enjoyed the company.  It was a great opportunity for me to practice speaking in French.  I wish I could have experiences like that more often.

We were vrey reluctant to leave in the morning, but the road was calling and we were expected in Hungary by the 20th.  Au revoir sunshine and surf.
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