Nice is nice. And I mean that. Running about 80 degrees with some humidity. Hot enough you want to seek shade and a cool drink. Or go for a swim in the Mediterranean which is the only thing that’s free here.
This morning we had no reason to get up. No schedule. Just go to the beach. But Emily got up by 845. And went to shower. So I was woken, rudely, and got up at 9. Still nice to sleep in. I am tired all the time. Hi Ed.
We all took our sweet time getting ready. At least 90 minutes for everyone else to get moving. Which is why Emily and I went in search of breakfast and left the chitlins to their own devices.
We found a nice breakfast only spot half a block away. Ordered up a couple continental breakfasts and sat and ate slow. Nice. People watching at its finest. We struck up a conversation with a couple young women next to us. One whose family lives in Sacramento. Ahh, a touch of home. They have both been all over, one studied in Rome the last few months. She was very concerned about the theft that goes on against tourists in Europe. Especially in Barcelona, where we are headed day after tomorrow. She was just full of info. Love being able to meet people while traveling, makes the trip that much more interesting.
The kids came and ate. They left before us. They were upset we were so engrossed in conversation that we had no time for them. Tough. They are old enough to handle themselves, I think.
We finished and went back to the hostel. The kiddies (adult children) have decided to spend the day at the beach. This is not an uncommon activity in Nice where there is a tremendous amount of beach. Though it is a rocky beach. No one seems to care.
Emily and I went shopping for the day. Had our own lunch and etc. Lunch was the best deal ever. We had run across a very nice looking patisserie while shopping. By nice looking I mean the pastries and food looked fabulous. We made a mental note to come back. So for lunch later, we went back. I planned on a pastry lunch. Emily bought a rice salad and a tartine. I did not get my entire order so I ended up sharing hers with her. And all was amazingly delicioso. We actually took our lunch to hdinner beach and sat in the shade on the promenade to eat. The three child adults were on the beach just below getting sun burned. Fun. Ahh, yes, I remember those days. Now my skin is the color and texture of cheap Corinthian leather due to sun. Now I stay out of it. And wear clothes all over. Better for me.
I had wanted to go to Monaco to check out, well, Monaco. Turned out to be an expensive trip. We got there and started to wander, saw the famous Casino Monte Carlo where James Bond gambles. Walked a ways. Michael had to find a bathroom so he and Carly wandered off. Once we got split up it took an hour to find them. They wandered off without a word. But we found them. And we also discovered it is very expensive to eat there. So expensive we had to leave. The return taxi cost 150$. Christ. What a rip. The taxi driver was nice enough and explained why it was so pricey. Explained how he can legally take only four people etc. whatever. He took four of us and I walked down tonhebco Net and hailed him and he picked me up. He says there are many cameras and he needed to cover. And not turn on the gate box. Like I said at start, turned out to be a high price outing.
Well we took the coast road to Nice. Beautiful scenery and interesting drive. Driver went into a 30 minute rant about the death of he planet. We are doomed. That was weird. He dropped us in Nice. Good bye. And we searched for and found a nice place for dinner. It is Carly’s last night with us. Tomorrow she flies home. 🙁🙁.
After dinner we hard s for the barn and a late night. Tomorrow is Bastille Day and we are headed to airport and then a drive to Marseille.