Am glad we did that and even then, we didn't have the time to see the whole country. We had to map our route carefully and highlight what we wanted to see the most. We arrived in Paris and spent four glorious days which of course was not enough. That gives us a reason to go back.
We made our way to Besancon from Paris, drove into Geneva for dinner and stayed in Anncey, a small little town almost South of France. We then went to Marseilles, Monaco, into Italy -- Bologna, Florence and off to Rome. We didn't even go into the city of Rome as we spent an extra night in Florence. Another reason to go to Rome in future.
Many of my friends are asking me which destination I lke best and its a tough one to answer. I like them all. But I think France most of all. This picture above is of Monaco from a Menton town, the last town in France before crossing the border to Italy. Am glad ir was a clear day when we were there so we managed to get some nice shots.The main reason we wanted to see Monaco, besides it being scenic and all, was of course because of F1. To see the city of Monte Carlo, its loops, winds and bends, really makes you take your hat off to those F1 drivers because it is a challenge indeed to do those roads.
This is part of the F1 race track. Bob wanted to get a shot of that famous tunnel but it is impossible to stop and take a shot there when the roads are not closed cause it is busy.
The marina itself is littered with yatchs of all sizes. Just so happens that when we were there, there was a Yatch Show going on. There was a lot for us to google and oogle at when we were there. Just the day before when we were in St Tropez we were imagining owning a yatch and parking at the prestigious bay. Now in Monaco, we relive the dream again but added living in Monaco to the list!
France is really pretty in Autumn and by far my favourite season. The houses and buildings look extra nice and the cool crisp air makes walking a breeze. Don't ask me to walk that some mileage here in Malaysia though, as it is just too unbearable to go outside. Living in a four season country would not be so bad now eh ...
Many people also asked what it was like travelling with a baby and my answer is simple, babies are the easiest to travel with, especiaqlly breastfeeding babies. As long as they have their mom nothing else matters. But honestly, she was easy to travel with and did not give us a hard time. Also bringing a baby makes it possible for us to leave the hotel in the morning and don't come back till late at night.
Driving into Monaco from Nice there us just so many tunnels. Even after you cross Italy to go to Genova there are just tunnels. I started counting them but gave up halfway. Just too many lah. But all along you could still see that scenic coast. We drove off the highway at some point to take a shot of the beach and France on the other end. Just beautiful!
No matter which part of the beach we stopped at you could get this kinda view with building or houses peeping out through the hills. I wonder if they have to an EIA before they build but then again not being in the tropics would make it different. I doubt they have landslide problems from what I could see and their cities are old, much much older than ours. Goes to show that even hundreds of years ago they have thought out well and good how to build their city as well as plan for future developments. Such forsight. Monaco also has public lifts due to its heights and bearing in mind the elderly and also folk who just don't see themselves going up steep hills.
As we were walking around the Monte Carlo bay as well as other stops like St Maxime and Cavalier along the coast, I found myself asking would it be better to own a yatch or a private jet. hmmmmmmm .....
Gorgeous view isn't it?!?
Now that I am back I can't help but miss all those gorgeous pastries, croissants and desserts. The fruit tarts had such fresh fruits on them, the hot chocolate that was just sinful. Ahhhh ...... In Italy the pastries were not so good but I dit get to eat my fair share of cannolas (sorry I forgot to take pictures of these) and regret not eating more! I don't know where to find them here and the closest I have seen is Nigella showing you how to make them. Oh ya ... Italians love Nutella and I even tried Nutella gelato. Memang sedap!
Most patisseries in South of France and Italy are big into meringues. They come in really huge sizes and variations. Dipped in chocolate, in berry sauces and comes with fillings or fruits. Of course I didn't have the chance to try any. Where lah to put everything. If I was a bottomless pit would be different
This is a picture of ... guess? Venice? Hahaha ... looks like it but it isn't. This is Annecy where we stopped for a night after dinner in Geneva. We wanted to stay along this canal but the hotels located there were full. It is a very romantic little town, and cost of living much cheaper too, with its cobbled streets, quaint shops, little streets and canals everywhere. Believe it or not a small town like this has some 2 million tourists a year!
There were a lot of elderly folk walking around. Safe to assume that the younger generation would prefer thebig bright lights of more fast paced cities like Paris or Marseilles. Along the drive through France, through the countryside to be specific, we noticed that the little towns were almost like ghost towns. Not a soul walking around and no children either playing in the streets or the fields. When I asked Wani, Bob's cousin in bBesancon, she said most people in France keep country homes and worked in the city. Ahhhhhh ....
There are more stories to tell. Will unwrap them slowly. Are we planning our next trip? Yes. of course. So much more of Europe we have not seen. Do we have the time to do it all. God willing ....
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