We've Landed in Lyon!

Nearly 24 hours of flying from Columbus-to-Detroit-to-Amsterdam-to-Lyon, and we're here at last!  That may seem like a daunting agenda but actually it was one of the easiest international flights we've ever had.   And, we especially liked the almost-no-waiting-through Customs in Lyon - almost unheard of - even if I did draw a scowl from the gendarme who wanted me to remove my Harley Davidson hat.  I think he snickered when he saw what I could've told him - no hair up there.

A 45 minute drive followed from the airport to our boat, the Viking Delling parked with several others on the Rhone River.  An offer was made for a 90-minute walking tour of the city but I was the only one foolish to take them up on that, as ML, Ray, and Cheryl slept while I hoofed it with about 10 others around the city.

We'll be back on Friday for a indepth tour of the city, particularly the medieval portion, so today was more about a quick overview of the city center.  Lyon was first settled by the Celts at a time unknown, but became an official city in Gaul in 43 BC and sits largely on a peninsula between the Rhone and Saone rivers.  With a population of about 1.3M in the metro area, it is one of France's largest cities and known for its 3 univerities, one of which - Lumiere University - was adjacent to the boat's docking and founded by the Frenchman (Lumiere) who invented moviemaking and cinema.

We hiked to the city center and its public square which features a large statue of the Sun King, Louis XIV.   And, another interesting landmark was a tower saved from a hospital demolished in the late 19th. century.  The citizens wanted it saved even if it meant having to build a new road around it.  Dozens and dozens of young couples enjoyed the sunshine, and otherwise it was young men ogling the dozens and dozens of really nice looking French girls.  Ah to be young again. (Note that these observations are purely academic as, once you have the best . .  . )

Soon we have the obligatory safety drill, dinner at 7 p.m. (5 hours ahead of EST in Ohio), and then an early call for me for bed as I've had about 30 minutes of sleep since Monday night.   We'll be cruising from Lyon north on the Rhone starting at 9 p.m. and docking for Day 2 in Macon, France (you know, Macon where the Allman Brothers were from) and our tour of the Abbey of Cluney.

Very much looking forward to going horizontal in the next couple of hours, and will be back with you tomorrow.