N-I-C-E Indeed

We checked out of our accommodations on the Viking Delling this morning, and boarded a coach for the three+ hour ride to Nice where we'll spend today (Wednesday), Thursday, Friday, and much of Saturday before departing for home.  Even though it was a comfortable motor coach, it seemed like every time I (and most of the other patrons) started to doze, our French guide felt the need to chime in with some arcane bit of information about the area we were passing through.

One time, though, I enjoyed her comments as about halfway to Nie we passed by the Basilica of Mary Magdelene.  Seen from the highway about a mile or so away in Vezelay of Burgundy, it involved the story of Mary Magdelene.  Fleeing from persecution after Jesus death, she and two companions landed in France and made their way from the coast (about 50 miles or so) to this place where she lived in a cave for 30 years.  Upon her death, legend has it that the angels took her body and left it in the place where the basilica was built in her memory.  It is said to still contain her bones, there, and was the site of many miracles . . .  so goes the story.

We gradually passed Cannes, home of the film festival beginning next week.  Cheryl and I were there on our Riviera tour of a few years ago.  Then, on into Nice where we made our way to Le Meridien hotel where the guests from our ship are all staying, located directly across from the ever-so-blue waters of the Mediterrranean.  I believe I said this at the time about Cannes, but bluer water I've never seen.

Now it is about 6 p.m. here and we're getting ready to walk up the English Promenade (the main street here facing the beaches of Nice) to find a place for dinner with Ray and Mary Lee.  Lunch was a cheesburger that cost about 20 Euros - wow! - so hoping dinner can be found for not much more as it is expensive, as to be expected in someplace so n-i-c-e!

A view from the terrace restaurant at our hotel, Le Meridien

Tomorrow is a tour of Nice in the morning, and then we board a small bus for a "Day and Night Tour of Monaco".  I'll tell the Prince (whose private hangar we saw from afar at the Nice airport) hello for any of you who'd like me to. . . . .