![\"IMG_3747\"](\"http:\/\/gordonandjudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/IMG_3747.jpg\")
<\/a>One of the tenders, heading into the dock<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Our ship, Equinox, anchored in the Port of Cannes<\/p><\/div>\n
We drove along the coast to Nice, another French Riviera town. There is some beautiful coastal scenery. After arriving around 11:15, we get a short walking tour through a market area and then they turn us loose for a couple of hours to wander, eat, shop, or whatever. We saw some big yachts in Cannes, but this harbor has some even larger yachts, and many, many more of them. Our group split up, with Judy and I doing a couple of short walks with brief stops at cafes for coffee, smoothies, and a sandwich. I intended to eat the sandwich on the bus, but it didn\u2019t get that far. We had too much fun people-watching from our caf\u00e9 seats, and my sandwich gradually disappeared. Courtney contributed to the Nice economy with a purchase of shoes, and Brad & Glenda walked the beach (it\u2019s rocks, not sand?) and the streets, enjoying the sites.<\/p>\n Some of the coastal scenery<\/p><\/div>\n One of the rocky Nice beaches<\/p><\/div>\n Down the beach<\/p><\/div>\n The next portion of our trip took us along the coast, arriving at the 2nd<\/sup> smallest sovereign country, the Principality of Monaco. Monaco is slightly over 2 square kilometers, and is divided into 4 districts\/regions. Most everyone knows about the district of Monte Carlo, with it\u2019s Grand Casino (didn\u2019t get near it). Our bus dropped us off on \u201cthe Rock\u201d, or Roche, where the palaces, and cathedrals are located. We thought there were large yachts in Nice, but the yachts in the Harbor of Monaco dwarfed the other boats we\u2019ve seen. HUGE BOATS!!!! There is lots of \u201cdiscretionary\u201d income being spent in Monaco.<\/p>\n Palace of Monaco<\/p><\/div>\n Harbor of Monaco<\/p><\/div>\n Looking back up toward “The Rock”<\/p><\/div>\n The views were breathtaking as we drove in, and from our vantage point up on the rock. We were turned loose on the town for almost 3 hours. We ate lunch, and then I went on a search for a Starbucks where I could pick up a mug to add to my collection. I felt a little stupid walking around Monaco, with all it\u2019s beauty, traditions, and history, asking for directions to Starbucks, but how else was I going to get my mug?<\/p>\n We arrived back to the ship around 6:00, ready for a shower, and dinner. When they talk about the French Riviera or \u201cthe south of France\u201d, I\u2019ve heard many times the phrase, \u201csun-drenched\u201d. It always sounds so relaxing and comforting. This time of year, however, it means \u201creally hot\u201d. There is a heat wave in effect, and today was our first taste of \u201csun-drenched\u201d. Combined with the humidity, the sweat factor was really high today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thankfully, the ship docks around 9:30, so our excursion doesn\u2019t depart until 10:00am, allowing us to enjoy a leisurely breakfast. We\u2019re docked in the port of Cannes, France, site of the big movie festival. The dock isn\u2019t large enough to … Continue reading <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n