A vacation — Part 8
Côte d’Azur — history, beaches, nature and glamour
The spectacular view of the Cote d’Azur, crossing Aix-en-Provence, where I had planned to go, but didn’t given the short time remaining on my trip, and the other cities I had planned to visit, Marseille which my dad asked me not to visit given the gang wars, Cannes, well-known for its film festival, made my train ride memorable. The deep blue sea and its shades captivated me. I arrived in Nice and made my way to the hostel, making my way up the stairs. It looked a little shady, and I was uneasy, but the thought of exploring Nice calmed me down.
With a city map in hand, I walked through the main street perpendicular to the beach, Avenue Jean Medecin. Crossing all the main shops, I felt the urge to shop, but I reminded myself I was there to sightsee; to make the most of my time there.
After a cold rainy Paris, I was glad to be au soleil.
Reaching the beach, I took the lift up the Nice castle. The view of the beach and the city from the hill was memorable. The orange-red roofs were unmissable. Though I don’t swim, the urge to be at the beach was stronger than ever.
After strolling and seeing a rainbow in front of a small waterfall, I walked down and explored the old city. I found a small open market with soaps and fragrances from Provence, where I picked up something small for my mom.
Walking through the colourful streets, I found myself in front of a small chapel, and I couldn’t stop myself from entering it. I had found the chapels and churches in the countryside very peaceful.
Well, that’s all good, but I wanted to be at the beach! The sky was stunning and I took photos all afternoon.
While walking by the Promenade des Anglais, I found myself in front of the memorial for the victims of the Nice terrorist attacks that took place a few months earlier, on France’s National Day, on the 14th of July. Seeing all the notes, the soft toys, and the souvenirs all over the area, emotions took over and I started crying.
I remember that once I was back in India, I wrote an article titled “La bêtise humaine” i.e. human stupidity, touched by this scene.
In the evening, back at the hostel, I met Brian, from the UK. Though he wasn’t, he had quite a “hippie” look with long hair. After hearing my story about the trip being my first solo travel, he advised me not to carry my purse as I was, and to hide it better, to hide the wallet beneath my clothes if possible.
The next day, Brian and I walked by the sea, on the Promenade des Anglais.
and made our way to Matisse Museum.
Henri Matisse was a French visual artist, known for both his use of colour and his fluid and original draughtsmanship. He was a draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor, but is known primarily as a painter. (Source: Wiki)
I wasn’t and am still not very interested in art, especially if it’s obscure and modern. I had a quick look around the museum and waited outside for Brian to finish his tour. Meanwhile, the sun was shining and there were some Roman ruins, so I took the opportunity to walk around and take photos.
Brian wanted to do some sightseeing in Nice that I had already managed the day before, so I asked around and made my way to Villefranche-sur-Mer, a resort town very easily and rapidly accessible by train, and bus.
It was raining yet again. I was strolling around alone, and as the town was not as touristic, I was a bit bored; I found it difficult to take selfies with the digital camera, but the town was stunning and I think I managed to capture its beauty. I had a pizza by the sea to satisfy my hunger before making my way back to Nice.
I had been in touch with Donna and Neil, fellow volunteers at La Giraudiere, and they mentioned that they were in Nice too. We decided to meet for a sumptuous Indian dinner, with Naan, rice and paneer for me, chicken for them, and wine for all of us. No matter how much I tried, they wouldn’t let me pay.
I finally managed to return the favour when they visited me a few months back in Delhi.
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The next day, Brian and I took the tram to the bus station, and from there a bus to Èze. The journey was an unforgettable one, with stunning views of the French Riviera. The medieval town, with panoramic views and almost heavenly cobbled streets, was a sight for sore eyes. We explored the castle and the streets. A friend had suggested I explore the garden, but we gave it a skip.
I was wearing flip-flops, unfortunately, instead of my Nike’s, and bam, I had a bad fall on the cobblestones.
Èze is famous for the Nietzche path, which goes down from Èze to Èze-sur-Mer beach, with exceptional views of the coastline. We had decided to take the path, but now with the fall, I was unsure. To help me, Brian broke a branch of a tree at the beginning of the path, which I used as a cane to walk down tenderly and slowly to the beach.
After an arduous walk, with my muscles quite sore, we reached the beach. The sun was blazing and there wasn’t much to do there. We sat by the sea and chit-chatted. I saw a French lady who was sunbathing semi-nude, with her husband and kids with her. Coming from India, it was a new and somewhat embarrassing experience for me. I think I’d probably not feel as embarrassed the next time though.
From there, we walked to the bus station and took a bus to Monaco. We weren’t “dressed enough” for the luxurious principality, a fact that we’d discover later.
In Monaco, I was struck by the luxury: the yachts, the casinos, the luxe cars, everything, but what caught my eye yet again was the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea.
When we tried entering the casino, to have a look, not play, we were told that flip-flops weren’t allowed. What a blunder! I wore my sneakers almost religiously apart from that day.
We weren’t disheartened though. The principality was beautiful and we walked around and sat at a cafe, where I had a good cup of tea for the first time after my stint in the French countryside. It had been café crème all the way ever since.
Back in Nice, we walked past pretty gardens, with the sun giving golden shades to the buildings and buildings that had windows painted on. They seemed so real. The last stop was the beach to enjoy the sunset.
The next day, I took it easy and packed my bags. I went for lunch by the sea and had one last glass of French wine in France,
before heading to the beach, where I met Brian one last time, before my night train.
Meanwhile, my parents had been texting me throughout the trip, all of us in three different time zones, my Dad in Malaysia and Mom in India, ensuring that I wasn’t out late, and wanting me to be at the hostel all day on my last day in any city (phew, thankfully I ventured out)
They were about to be a lot more anxious that night!
Next stop: Italy
