Nice to Cinque Terre: Hello Italy! (Day 10)

This morning we woke up really early to catch our train.  We rode from Nice to Monaco, Monaco to Ventimiglia, Ventimiglia to Genova, and Genova to Monterosso.  We had booked some last minute reservations at a Bed and Breakfast in Monterosso the night before, and Mike thought he had a good idea how to get there.  Eh…we asked around and eventually found it.  Monterosso is beautiful though, and the beaches are nice.  So, as soon as we got to the room, we changed into our beach clothes and walked the one minute down to the beach along the main road.  We jumped in the ocean, and lay in the sun before our romantic dinner near the sea.  We ate Spinach Ravioli and Lasagna, and had a bottle of wine.  The scenery and the food were both phenomenal.  Tomorrow we plan to hike the coastal pathway from Riomaggiore (the Eastern most town) back to Monterosso.  Should be fun!

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Monte-Carlo, Monaco (Day 9) and Mike shook L.L. Cool J’s Hand!

We started off the day with some frustrating events at the train station, but followed it up with a hearty breakfast from McDonald’s.  Yum.  We caught the bus to Monaco to walk around the most glamorous city in the world, and hang out at the beach.  We had a great afternoon.  The water was amazing!  Walking around we noticed lots of fancy cars, big yachts, and high end shops.  On our way back to the bus stop, we noticed there were some interviews going on and some people taking pictures.  We didn’t recognize anyone at first, then Mike said, “That’s L.L. Cool J!"  So…we walked up and around where we could get a better look.  It was the Festival de Television de Monte-Carlo.  After L.L’s interview, Mike was able to get a handshake from the NCIS (I think) celebrity.  Other than L.L. we saw the rest of the NCIS cast along with the cast of Glee.  We stayed there a while snapping pictures as if we were the paparazzi.  It was pretty cool!  After the glitz and glamour we headed back to the bus stop, and back to Nice for our final night.  We headed out for dinner at a local restaurant on the pedestrian street in Nice for some Mussels and French Fries.  Best dinner yet!  Tomorrow we’re heading for Cinque Terre, Italy and we couldn’t be more excited. 
Current Katie status:  Seven BIG mosquito bites.  We keep our   window open at night and they bite her because she’s so sweet ;).  She also spilled HOT coffee on her leg this morning at McDonald’s and has a giant burn and blister.  I think we might sue!  Good news is we had ice cream twice today to make up for it.

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Eze (Day 8)

Today we got LOST!  It was bound to happen sooner or later, but it was a good day regardless.  Last night we decided that today we would take a day trip to Eze.  We didn’t know much about it except that there was a trail somewhere, and the village sat really high up in the hills overlooking the water.  We hopped on a bus, and literally guessed which stop we should get off.  We guessed wrong, but a friendly Frenchman (an oxymoron some would say) led us in the right direction.  He told us we could wait for the bus (a little less than an hour) or walk up to road (about 1.5 hours).  We started walking up the narrowest, windy road to Eze Vilage.  It was really scary as cars came screaming passed us around curves.  We made it half way up, and were able to catch a bus the rest of the way.  Eze Village was small, but we went up towards Jardin Exotique through windy cobblestone staircases lined with cafes and lots of people.  We got to the top where there were beautiful views then headed back down on the trail we originally intended to hike.  We hiked back down to La Plage (the beach) and soaked our feet before catching the bus back to Nice.  Long, hot, FUN day!  Tonight we’re dining in our hotel room, watching a movie perhaps on La iPod.

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Annecy to Nice (Day 7)

Today is a travel day. We woke up this morning to a colder and rainier day than we were used to in Annecy. We got some coffee as usual, and set out on a short run. When we got back we packed up the packs, and watched top 25 interviews of Larry King Live’s career since it was the only thing on TV that was in English. At noon, we checked out and headed for the train station. About 8 hours later we arrived in Nice, checked into our hotel, and took a stroll to the beach. It’s beautiful here too, but definitely more of a city feel than Annecy. We stopped by a Pizzeria by our hotel and got a pizza to go to take back to our room. We broke open a bottle of Bordeaux Rouge, and chowed down on the pizza. We’re tired, but excited for tomorrow. We’re going to Eze to hike and hang out for the day! Details to come. And more pictures…promise.

btw – did anyone notice the book my masculine husband is reading? In his defense, it is my book and he had finished his book. (he is now on page 115) I love him! :)

Annecy (Day 6)

Cafe!  With creme please.  Woke up late this morning and grabbed some coffee from a nearby Cafe.  After coffee, we decided it was time to wash some of our clothes we’ve been wearing.  That was an adventure, washing shirts, underwear, and socks in the bath tub and sink.  I think we’ll be buying new socks when we return to Colorado.  After laundry we went for a run along the walking path next to the lake.  On our run we discovered a really nice beach that the tourism office told us cost money.  It didn’t cost money! So we decided that’s where we would spend most of our day, just lounging and swimming.  We really enjoyed the weather today, and swimming in a refreshing lake it always good.  Later on we headed back to the room to freshen up before dinner.  We ate at a nice restaurant, ordered a bottle of bordeaux rouge, fondue por deux, and creme brulee to top it all off.  Definitely have had to struggle a little more here than in Paris with the language; not as many English speakers but we’re doing well I think.  Tomorrow it’s on to Nice.  We loved Annecy.  We will miss it, but we’re excited for our next adventure.   

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Paris to Annecy (Day 5)

We woke up early and got on a 3.5 hour train ride to the town of Annecy, France.  Wow!  Annecy is BEAUTIFUL.  Katie has said multiple times that it reminds her of living in a fairy tale!  She’s right.  The Old Town filled with it’s old buildings and outdoor cafes sits right on crystal clear blue water.  The Lake is huge and sits right at the base of he Alps!  Ice cream on every corner!  We spent the afternoon walking around and lounging at a park.  Got dinner at a Pizzeria right by the water.    

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Paris (Day 4)

Last night we had dinner at Louise’s Cafe.  It was lovely, and so was Louise.  This morning we woke up and went directly to the Louvre, where we got our first cup of normal black coffee at none other than Starbucks.  Then, we bought the headset that spoke to us in English and spent the next 3 hours amazed by how big and amazing the Louvre is.  It was really great.  Then we went to our favorite sandwich guy, and got a brie and chicken sandwich and headed back to the room for some rest.  When we were all rested up we set out for a night on the town.  We went to a park and sat in the shade, ate a baguette and drank some wine on the lawn by the Eiffel Tower, had a fabulous dinner, and went back to the Eiffel Tower after the sun went down to watch them light it up.  It was really spectacular!  No pictures of that because our battery went dead on the camera.  We’ll get pictures next time we’re in town (the 17th!).  Time for bed.  Walked a lot today!

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Paris (Day 3)

Woke up late!  10:30…that’s probably the latest we’ve slept in in a long time, but I think we’re on a normal schedule now.  We got some coffee (latte’s because that’s really all they do here besides espresso), and set out to see the sights.  Today we saw Notre Dame Cathedral and went inside.  It was amazing how beautiful and detailed the whole building is.  After that, we walked to the Louvre but did not go in.  I think we’re saving that for tomorrow.  Then we went to a park and had some wine at a little cafe.  When we were fully refreshed we made our way to the Eiffel Tower, but stopped and saw a lot on the way.  Sat under the Eiffel Tower and talked it up with a hilarious old English couple, then got ice cream.  Now we’re back at the hotel resting before we go out for some dinner and wine!  Loving life right now!

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London –> Paris (Day 2)

Our second day of London was a busy one as well.  Lots of walking as we went to see the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Tate Modern Art Museum, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.  After our long day of walking around, we rested awhile in the common room at the hostel we’d already checked out of.  Then it was off to the train station to take our first train from London to Paris.  We arrived in Paris around 10:15, rode the Metro to our hotel (which is small, but a private room is nice).  The picture below has our hotel door number (a ripped piece of paper written in pen and scotch taped to the door!).  Tomorrow it’s off to explore the city.

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We Made It!

Ahhh!  After a long flight over the pond we made it to lovely London.  After we landed we took to the tube to our hostel located in Picadilly Circus.  Since we landed at 7:00 am, we had some time before we could even check into our room.  So...we went on a free (2.5 hr) walking tour of Central London in the pouring rain.  Got to see Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, etc...  Checked in at 1:00 pm, and took a nap - woke up to a fire alarm and had to exit the building.  Dinner at a traditional English Pub and then BED!  We're writing to you now from a little coffee shop near London Bridge, and we're excited to head to Paris tonight!