Thursday, November 14, 2013
We took a nostalgic walk about town this morning, remembering all the places we visited and the fun we've had being here.
We are all packed up and ready to leave for London tomorrow morning. It has been quite the trip. We have met so many wonderful people, seen so many fabulous places, and learned a little bit more about the world and how we want to live in it. We miss everyone back home but we do admit - it's hard to leave!
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Chez Maxime
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Finally made it to "Chez Maxime" for dejeuner. Wonderful as usual. Stopped at "Roi Rene" for wine and coffee and then back to apartment for a little rest. We have plans to go for a walk this evening and stop for a late dinner. Best laid plans! Amazing how easy it is to be seduced by a fabulous loaf of bread, some provencal tamponade, warm pajamas, and a "Jeeves and Wooster" on YouTube. Are we getting old or what?
Finally made it to "Chez Maxime" for dejeuner. Wonderful as usual. Stopped at "Roi Rene" for wine and coffee and then back to apartment for a little rest. We have plans to go for a walk this evening and stop for a late dinner. Best laid plans! Amazing how easy it is to be seduced by a fabulous loaf of bread, some provencal tamponade, warm pajamas, and a "Jeeves and Wooster" on YouTube. Are we getting old or what?
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| One of Our Favorites |
French Knockers
Just wanted to share some beautiful door decorations that are becoming more and more rare with the aggressive renovations here in Aix:
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| My Favorite |
Window Licking
A national passion of the French is window shopping - faire du leche-vitrines - literally translated as "window licking". Every shop is deliciously represented by their window displays. Enjoy!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Today is a French National Holiday celebrating those who lost their lives defending France in WWII. Pretty quiet around town. Was surprised that there wasn't a ceremony on the Cours, but French flags were flying everywhere and we celebrated in our own way, remembering all the statues and monuments that we have come across on our travels, honoring those who served in the army and especially in the resistance. Still very much remembered by the French people. How lucky we have been in the US not to have experienced an enemy on our soil.
Had a nice lunch back at the apartment and a wonderful dinner at...
Couldn't believe that they were open this evening! Had a nice chat with Mitch himself and enjoyed one of the best meals we have had in France. How lucky we were to have caught them on a slow night. Almost impossible to get a reservation especially in the upstairs dining room. But there we sat, right at the most sought after table by the window - for three hours of absolute heaven!
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Had a nice lunch back at the apartment and a wonderful dinner at...
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| One of top 5 Restaurants in Aix |
Couldn't believe that they were open this evening! Had a nice chat with Mitch himself and enjoyed one of the best meals we have had in France. How lucky we were to have caught them on a slow night. Almost impossible to get a reservation especially in the upstairs dining room. But there we sat, right at the most sought after table by the window - for three hours of absolute heaven!
We had such a great time. Mitch is incredible! We told him he should be in Paris, but he insists that the slower pace in Aix - and the weather - convinced him that this is where he should be. What a charmer! We were so lucky to have had the chance to meet him. Cannot even express wonderful an evening we had. The complete dining experience. Nothing to compare!
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Interesting Pedicure
Strolling the streets of Aix in search of a salon for a much needed mani-pedi, I came across this shop...
...I was intrigued! Upon further investigation, found that this is a new trend in pedicures (only one salon in USA that offers it) originating in Asia...
...tanks filled with tiny (well, actually not so tiny) fish that eat the dead skin from your feet! How wild is that?!?!? No doubt this is something that has to be tried to be appreciated. Think we should start a franchise in Denver. Kelly and Renee! Are you interested?
Check out YouTube for videos on this. It is AMAZING!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Don't tell anyone, but we were a little tired of French food and decided to try a Thai restaurant. It was fun to have something a little different - and a little lighter - for a change. The owner of the restaurant was very charming and gracious. He has lived in France all his life and is of Indian and Vietnamese heritage. After spending eight years in the French Foreign Legion, he opened his restaurant - Nirvana - and has been in the same spot for the last thirty years. His wife is Chinese and her parents have lived in Eloi, Arizona for the past thirty-five years (they own a small grocery). They visit her parents every couple of years and we encouraged them to stop in Denver on their next trip. Really lovely couple!
We "Skyped" this evening first with John's sisters who are together in Eastbourne, UK for a visit. Peter and Emily are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary next August and invited us to join them. Next we spoke with Stacy, Max and B. Great to see the kids. Tried to get Finn to step up to the camera but he wasn't cooperating.
We watched a "Jeeves and Wooster" episode on YouTube, sipped a little Vin D'Orange, and settled in to bed at 9:00 pm. Some things never change!
We "Skyped" this evening first with John's sisters who are together in Eastbourne, UK for a visit. Peter and Emily are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary next August and invited us to join them. Next we spoke with Stacy, Max and B. Great to see the kids. Tried to get Finn to step up to the camera but he wasn't cooperating.
We watched a "Jeeves and Wooster" episode on YouTube, sipped a little Vin D'Orange, and settled in to bed at 9:00 pm. Some things never change!
CANNES (Day 2)
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Enjoyed a nice sleep in and treated ourselves to a room service breakfast. Very elegant! Glorious day! Sun shining and temperatures in the 70's. The TripAdvisor website recommended a walk up to the old town. There is a cathedral at the top with spectacular views of Cannes and the coast. So up we walked.
After lunch we walked back to the hotel to pick up our bag, passing many, many fine and exclusive shops. It is really a lovely city and we can understand why it is such a tourist destination. We tried to imagine what it would be like during the film festival in May. Understatement Alert: Much tougher to get a table in a restaurant or a room at a hotel during that time. The rest of the Summer, right through the middle of September is their high season, and you can tell that in the Fall everyone is very relaxed and almost relieved to see the crowds gone.
Enjoyed a nice sleep in and treated ourselves to a room service breakfast. Very elegant! Glorious day! Sun shining and temperatures in the 70's. The TripAdvisor website recommended a walk up to the old town. There is a cathedral at the top with spectacular views of Cannes and the coast. So up we walked.
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| Definitely Worth the Effort |
On the way down we stopped at one of the few restaurants open in the old town - Auberge Provencale. Had a nice chat with the owner who visits the US quite regularly. Her next trip is to New Orleans and we assured her it would be a fun place to visit. Lunch, as usual, was exceptional. MANY celebrity photos on walls.
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| Peach Champagne and Tampenade |
After lunch we walked back to the hotel to pick up our bag, passing many, many fine and exclusive shops. It is really a lovely city and we can understand why it is such a tourist destination. We tried to imagine what it would be like during the film festival in May. Understatement Alert: Much tougher to get a table in a restaurant or a room at a hotel during that time. The rest of the Summer, right through the middle of September is their high season, and you can tell that in the Fall everyone is very relaxed and almost relieved to see the crowds gone.
Back to the train station and "home" again to Aix.
A little excitement back at the apartment. They were holding a political rally in front of our building at the head of the Cours. It seems the mayoral race is coming up.
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| View From Bedroom Window |
CANNES (Day One)
Friday, November 8, 2013
Up early and off to the train station. The TGV train was awesome! Sorry - it's the best way to describe it. Very comfortable and the ride is so smooth especially after all the commuter trains we have been on. We went to the club car shortly after leaving Marseille and watched the scenery roll by. The train travels remarkably close to the coast so we were able to see all the little seaside villages and towns along the way. Can't even begin to describe the color of the water. "Teal" comes pretty close but even that doesn't do it justice.
Arrived in Cannes to a little bit of cloud cover, but then it's Cannes so it really didn't matter. Our hotel was about a 10 minute walk from the station and down the Croisette, a mile and a half walkway right on the Mediterranean.
Our room wasn't quite ready so we had a nice leisurely lunch at the hotel.
Then up to the room to unpack and hit the streets.
Took a nice walk along the beach, picked up a bottle of wine, and returned to the hotel to watch the sunset.
Up early and off to the train station. The TGV train was awesome! Sorry - it's the best way to describe it. Very comfortable and the ride is so smooth especially after all the commuter trains we have been on. We went to the club car shortly after leaving Marseille and watched the scenery roll by. The train travels remarkably close to the coast so we were able to see all the little seaside villages and towns along the way. Can't even begin to describe the color of the water. "Teal" comes pretty close but even that doesn't do it justice.
Arrived in Cannes to a little bit of cloud cover, but then it's Cannes so it really didn't matter. Our hotel was about a 10 minute walk from the station and down the Croisette, a mile and a half walkway right on the Mediterranean.
Our room wasn't quite ready so we had a nice leisurely lunch at the hotel.
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| Cocoa-Infused Brioche and Mushroom Coulis |
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| Gorgonzola Risotto with Fried Mushrooms |
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| Pre Dessert, Dessert |
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| Chocolate Gateaux with Clementine |
Then up to the room to unpack and hit the streets.
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| View from Our Hotel Room Balcony |
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| Happy Camper |
Took a nice walk along the beach, picked up a bottle of wine, and returned to the hotel to watch the sunset.
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