Okay, I'm starting to get the hang of this, well not really, but my strategy for drafting these posts is a little more stable and easy. Nonetheless, it's Thursday and Friday comes afterwards (TGIT?), so I'm unlikely to post a thing after this until Sunday/Monday. #weekenders
First night on the Brilliance of the Seas was intense! The boat was much more event packed and bustling than I had expected! We were told this boat didn’t have the onboard surfing and assumed it would be smaller…false. Restaurants, spas, pools, movies, rock climbing, theatre, disco, casino etc. we explored it all the moment we dropped off our bags. Not bad RC. (Didn't focus my photog on the ship itself but here are a couple - the planking pics have alternate purpose!)
Also to my surprise, I had become sea sick on the first evening. Half way through dinner as we sailed towards France (pic below), the winds picked up and the ocean was angry…as was my stomach! Best tip – go outside and stare at the horizon, avoid looking at the waves or staying in small spaces where the motion will be emphasized. Also those motion/seasickness pills they carry work wondahs!
By the morning the choppy seas made a little more sense when we were told we couldn't make it to the Villefranche port and had to port in Monaco. It wasn’t stormy at this point, but the rain was unusual for this time of year in La Côte d'Azur, which name refers to the blue azure coast/water/sky. C'est la vie.
So we ported in Monaco, drove along the pretty French Riviera to Cannes for lunch.
Bon appétit! All was delish, especially dessert and "european coffee" at the end. Although I kind of expected more from a Salade Niçoise so close to Nice... Anyway, we managed to squeeze in some shopping by shuffling strategically between stores to avoid the downpour. Clever excuse non?
On our way to Nice we stopped by the Fragonard Perfumery in Grasse and marvelled at noses creating these wonderful aromas. The most legit perfums, free of synthetic scents, and made of pure essence of lavender, orange blossom etc. You could smell the flowers from the parking lot, and it felt like Lush when you walked in and soon became overwhelmed. But we loved and our saleswoman, who had the most hilarious accent that I will have to reenact for you. Jokes on us though, we bought a shiz ton of these long lasting scents. #suckers
Apres Fragonard, we made our way to an adorable village just outside of Nice, complete with the quintessential European cobblestone streets, smooth earth-tone walls and painted shutters. #ohlala! But just as you think it couldn’t get any prettier, the sun slips through, and the afternoon begins!
We took full advantage of this warm lighting and charming set…ehem, view. It’s tiring being around us I’m sure, especially if you do not partake in my foolish photographic games. Too bad, I’m camera-trigger-friendly, so ferme la bouche.
In fact, I am so unaware that I forget how unusual my photog habits are, it takes photos like the second one below, to remind me how #odd I must appear/be.
Although our trip was sans beach and somewhat wet, the south of France has a certain je ne c'est quoi. I can't imagine what it would be like to live in such a pituresque location - the flowers, the marble, the tiny streets with stunning views, it can't be real. #lies #fairtale #santa
As they say en francais,
à Rome, fais comme les Romains. To Italy we go!
