Gostronomy on the French Riviera Part 1

Today was a tender port and we had arranged with the pursers desk to be on the first tender, so we hit the floor running. On our last visit we had Sylvie as our tour guide and so our group of 7were excited to see her again and we were greeted with many hugs and kisses – more like old friends that clients. 

After a quick drive around Cannes, we wanted to stop at the famous film festival hall, but it is all being renovated, so it was behind hoarding - and we missed our chance to act like superstars and walk the red carpet.

Driving along the waterfront, we stopped in front of the Carlton Hotel for some photos. Since someone asked for a bathroom stop, Sylvie suggested we cross the road to the Carlton, and directed us through the foyer, which was hosting a diamond exhibition in honour of its 100th anniversary. We headed into the bathroom while Sylvie was told that the facilities were only for hotel guests so she would have to take us out. Since we were already occupied, she smiled sweetly and asked the security guard if HE would like to go into the bathrooms to get us!!??

 

Apparently, there was a major jewellery heist in Cannes a couple of months ago and so security is really tight - although I can't think what could have given it away that we were tourists and not hotel guests - the lack of diamonds that were dripping from every other guest?? – perhaps the fact that none of our clothing displayed those well-known French labels – Chanel, Dior, YSL???  - the cameras?? Who knows??  

We drove along the waterfront taking in the lifestyle of the obscenely rich and famous and stopped for a walk through the old village of Antibes - the boats at the marina were more like little sisters to our Dawn Princess - one had two speedboats, two jet skis and a car in a compartment under the boat. Apparently, the mooring fees are 7000 euros per week, and then there are the staff who spend their time polishing everything in case the owner decides to come and use it. 

The old markets and village of Antibes was quaint and pretty but parking is at a premium - all these old towns date back to well before cars, so we have to park outside and walk into the village. We stopped at a boulangerie and bought a couple of gooey treats to share with our morning coffee, and then at a cafe where we cut up and shared our purchases. Sylvie shared the local speciality - a pastry filled with Swiss chard, cheese and pine nuts - a delicious savoury flavour.  We filled our water bottles from a spring water fountain which is guaranteed to improve health and take ten years off your age - not sure how much you have to drink for the full effects to take place. 

We only had a short time since all aboard was at 3.00pm, so we had to keep up a quick pace to cover all the places we wanted - the villages of Haut de Cagne and Vence - it would have been better to have had more time but we wanted to see as much as possible.  Unfortunately, our time was reduced even more by the traditional French two hour lunch where everything except bars and cafes closes from 1 till 3pm every day - such a civilised lunch break where everyone including school kids goes home if possible, or to a cafe for lunch - a delicious slice of Asparagus Quiche on the run. Children who cant go home are given a three course lunch at school. The menu is sent home to families each month and each meal consists of a soup or appetiser, main course and chees course and must contain a variety of fruit and vegetables and a different meat each day – and NO chips or fried food – the start of good food habits, I think. The cost of the meals are based on the parents income and are free if the family is poor or has more than one child. 

Captain throw off those lines, and lets head to Barcelona – home of the paella and sangria!!