A Candy Store in Barcelona :)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Toulon and Barcelona
October 23, 2010
Toulon, France
- forgot my camera :( see Jenny's blog for pics.
- took water taxi to Toulon from Le Seyne Sur Mer.
- walked up Provenciale Market
- spent some time in a fabric shop. The two owners were adorable ladies that help us pick out true Provenciale patterns and Tissue. Got the coolest large table cloth in laminated cotton and gift pouches for family. We also got a placemat with a 17-18th century pattern based on an Indian design.
- walked to a Shopping Mall (rare to find one in France/ Europe). Toulon is an industrial town and a little poor/ run down. Went to Sephora, Zara, and Carrefour- the French WalMart.
- walked back to pier and ate our lunch in a closed down restaurant patio (sitting was free!) and looked at the yachts and all the pregnant mummies go by. I was shocked at how many pregnant women we saw and many of them already has several children.
- took taxi back to Le Seyne. Walked along harbor front to old town. Most shops and bakeries were closed (Saturday afternoon) but we did find a charming one open and Jenny bought a macaroon in Citron.
- walked back to ship and went hot tubing.
- got ready for our last dinner.
- listened to big band music in promenade, took a back stage tour of La Scala theater.
- went to dinner: Steak with Bernaise sauce and key lime pie for dessert. Said goodbye to Ali and Razvan.
- packed my bag- it had to be out in the hall by 11:00 pm
- went to Farewell Show. Les talked to Steve the hot drummer :)
- went to our spot in Aquarium Bar. Mik gave us free drinks- Super sweet!!
- went to go dancing at The Vault but no one was there so we danced for 3 songs by ourselves and left.
- rode the elevator up and down :) I love glass elevators.
- back to room to finish packing and sleep.
10/24/10
Barcelona
- got off boat at 9:00 AM
- took a shuttle to port entrance instead of walking there like we did to get on the boat.
- walked up La Rambla and when we got to the top, the Barcelona marathon for breast cancer awareness started but we couldn't cross the street to enter Place de Catalunya so we stayed and cheered on the runners. There were a group of young guys doing football cheers and making the runners smile. It was so great to see so many women running to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!
- we got to our hostel and the scaffolding had come down and I hardly recognized the place :)
- we took a nap! We were all so tired and we slept until around 1:30 pm
- we wanted to go shopping to H&M and buy some Spanish souvenirs but apparently the city shuts down on Sundays and yet the streets are FULL of people. They all go out and people watch b/c there is nothing left to do. So we walked around the city (mainly around La Rambla) and took random side streets and wandered. It was fun!!
- took water taxi to Toulon from Le Seyne Sur Mer.
- walked up Provenciale Market
- spent some time in a fabric shop. The two owners were adorable ladies that help us pick out true Provenciale patterns and Tissue. Got the coolest large table cloth in laminated cotton and gift pouches for family. We also got a placemat with a 17-18th century pattern based on an Indian design.
- walked to a Shopping Mall (rare to find one in France/ Europe). Toulon is an industrial town and a little poor/ run down. Went to Sephora, Zara, and Carrefour- the French WalMart.
- walked back to pier and ate our lunch in a closed down restaurant patio (sitting was free!) and looked at the yachts and all the pregnant mummies go by. I was shocked at how many pregnant women we saw and many of them already has several children.
- took taxi back to Le Seyne. Walked along harbor front to old town. Most shops and bakeries were closed (Saturday afternoon) but we did find a charming one open and Jenny bought a macaroon in Citron.
- walked back to ship and went hot tubing.
- got ready for our last dinner.
- listened to big band music in promenade, took a back stage tour of La Scala theater.
- went to dinner: Steak with Bernaise sauce and key lime pie for dessert. Said goodbye to Ali and Razvan.
- packed my bag- it had to be out in the hall by 11:00 pm
- went to Farewell Show. Les talked to Steve the hot drummer :)
- went to our spot in Aquarium Bar. Mik gave us free drinks- Super sweet!!
- went to go dancing at The Vault but no one was there so we danced for 3 songs by ourselves and left.
- rode the elevator up and down :) I love glass elevators.
- back to room to finish packing and sleep.
10/24/10
Barcelona
- got off boat at 9:00 AM
- took a shuttle to port entrance instead of walking there like we did to get on the boat.
- walked up La Rambla and when we got to the top, the Barcelona marathon for breast cancer awareness started but we couldn't cross the street to enter Place de Catalunya so we stayed and cheered on the runners. There were a group of young guys doing football cheers and making the runners smile. It was so great to see so many women running to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!
- we got to our hostel and the scaffolding had come down and I hardly recognized the place :)
- we took a nap! We were all so tired and we slept until around 1:30 pm
- we wanted to go shopping to H&M and buy some Spanish souvenirs but apparently the city shuts down on Sundays and yet the streets are FULL of people. They all go out and people watch b/c there is nothing left to do. So we walked around the city (mainly around La Rambla) and took random side streets and wandered. It was fun!!
Christopher Columbus Monument
Statue in Place de Catalunya- Good Night Barcelona- Goodbye Europe. My coin in the Trevi Fountain better be brining my back :)Ville-Franche and Monaco
October 22, 2010
Ville Franche, France/Monaco
- tendered into port
- walked to Citadel
- walked along waterfront to new harbor.
- walked back toward old town through back roads/side streets and the impromptu market to train station.
- took 10 minute train ride to Monaco, Monte Carlo.
- walked along harbor and drooled over fine yachts.
- walked to Casino Monte Carlo and up center of La Place to all the high-end shops.
- went to Chanel, loved that they had Gardenia perfume. An attendant came to see if we needed any help- I asked her if they had any signature CC stud crystal earrings and they did!!! I tried them on and... BOUGHT them!!!!!!!!!!!! I finally bought something at Chanel, and in Monaco no less :)
What I was really impressed with was how kind and welcoming the Chanel shop assistants were- they didn't just discount us as tourists or poor people like the way I am usually treated at Chanel stores I've been to in the US. Even after I purchased the earrings, the shop assistant offered to perfume me in Gardenia :) I felt respected and pampered which was an extremely pleasant surprise. My biggest regret is not buying the perfume as well.
- walked to more fancy shops like Louis Vuitton.
- walked back toward harbor and through the carnival that was being set up along the pier.
- took photos from below the Royal Palace on the cliff.
- walked all along lower Monaco to find a WC... None... Anywhere. We went to the Gare twice and finally found one the second time (Jenny has eagle eyes). At least it got us off the beaten track to see some back roads and beautiful Place/Piazzas.
- stopped at a Super Marcher and bought some treats for the kids and found Coke Light Sans Caffeine.
- stopped at a Pharmacy to get some medicine for my cough.
- got back on the train to Ville Franche. Stopped at la plage and put our feet in the water- the beach was tiny pebbles instead of sand so it was easy to clean off. It was quite refreshing and rejuvenating for our tired feet. Plus the sun shine was glorious!
- walked along harbor to more shops- Les bought a fresh crepe nutella (fresh batter, freshly cooked crepe, and a just barely opened jar of nutella- cannot get more fresh than that.) she also bought an orangina.
- Lacey and I bought Magnum Bars :)
- got back on boat.
- stopped at Aquarium Bar for a glass of water.
- got ready for formal night.
- ordered hot chocolate and French fries from Room Service. I heart Room Service :)
- had dinner in dinning room Carmen. Our waiter Razvan hurt his leg so we had a different waiter.
- tried to go to Sky Bar but was closed for private function.
- Name that Tune at Schooner Bar. Sinatra
- saw tribute to broadway show at La Scala theater.
- casino: we each had a dollar to gamble- it lasted about 10 minutes :)
- sat in Aquarium Bar for a bit.
- watched Island Frenzy parade and the hot drummer Steve through a lei at me but I wasn't paying attention but it got stuck to another lei so he had to stop and untangle me.
- got our sandwiches from the Promenade Cafe and discovered we could make our own hot chocolate there! Of course we discover this on our second to last night- duh.
Ville Franche, France/Monaco
- tendered into port
- walked to Citadel
- walked along waterfront to new harbor.
- walked back toward old town through back roads/side streets and the impromptu market to train station.
- took 10 minute train ride to Monaco, Monte Carlo.
- walked along harbor and drooled over fine yachts.
- walked to Casino Monte Carlo and up center of La Place to all the high-end shops.
- went to Chanel, loved that they had Gardenia perfume. An attendant came to see if we needed any help- I asked her if they had any signature CC stud crystal earrings and they did!!! I tried them on and... BOUGHT them!!!!!!!!!!!! I finally bought something at Chanel, and in Monaco no less :)
What I was really impressed with was how kind and welcoming the Chanel shop assistants were- they didn't just discount us as tourists or poor people like the way I am usually treated at Chanel stores I've been to in the US. Even after I purchased the earrings, the shop assistant offered to perfume me in Gardenia :) I felt respected and pampered which was an extremely pleasant surprise. My biggest regret is not buying the perfume as well.
- walked to more fancy shops like Louis Vuitton.
- walked back toward harbor and through the carnival that was being set up along the pier.
- took photos from below the Royal Palace on the cliff.
- walked all along lower Monaco to find a WC... None... Anywhere. We went to the Gare twice and finally found one the second time (Jenny has eagle eyes). At least it got us off the beaten track to see some back roads and beautiful Place/Piazzas.
- stopped at a Super Marcher and bought some treats for the kids and found Coke Light Sans Caffeine.
- stopped at a Pharmacy to get some medicine for my cough.
- got back on the train to Ville Franche. Stopped at la plage and put our feet in the water- the beach was tiny pebbles instead of sand so it was easy to clean off. It was quite refreshing and rejuvenating for our tired feet. Plus the sun shine was glorious!
- walked along harbor to more shops- Les bought a fresh crepe nutella (fresh batter, freshly cooked crepe, and a just barely opened jar of nutella- cannot get more fresh than that.) she also bought an orangina.
- Lacey and I bought Magnum Bars :)
- got back on boat.
- stopped at Aquarium Bar for a glass of water.
- got ready for formal night.
- ordered hot chocolate and French fries from Room Service. I heart Room Service :)
- had dinner in dinning room Carmen. Our waiter Razvan hurt his leg so we had a different waiter.
- tried to go to Sky Bar but was closed for private function.
- Name that Tune at Schooner Bar. Sinatra
- saw tribute to broadway show at La Scala theater.
- casino: we each had a dollar to gamble- it lasted about 10 minutes :)
- sat in Aquarium Bar for a bit.
- watched Island Frenzy parade and the hot drummer Steve through a lei at me but I wasn't paying attention but it got stuck to another lei so he had to stop and untangle me.
- got our sandwiches from the Promenade Cafe and discovered we could make our own hot chocolate there! Of course we discover this on our second to last night- duh.
Our ship: Voyager of the Sea
Drooling over million dollar yatchs in Monaco
La Plage!!!!!
For Meg :) 
First bite...........
Then it fell on the ground :(
Lacey and her Diet Coke
Our Spot at the Aquarium Bar
Island Parade Fun!!Florence
October 21, 2010
Florence, Italy
- took Ship Shuttle to Piazza Grande in Livorno, then took a city bus to train station. Since shuttle didn't leave until 7:49 we missed the 8:10 train to Florence so we had to wait an hour for the 9:10 train.
- arrived in Florence around 10:30 and immediately went to the Accademia even though our reservation wasn't until 3 pm. They let us in and we saw Michelangelo's "David"- it was a highlight in my life!!!!!
- saw 2 Elders riding bikes- gave them a quick shout out as we crossed the street.
- walked through central Florence passed the Pallazzo Medici (1 block away from the Duomo) then passed the Duomo to see Ghiberti's doors on the baptistry (!!!!) and on to the Uffizi.
- saw Botticelli's "Primavera" and "Birth of Venus"- it was kind of weird to see them framed and behind glass. Another highlight!! Saw Caravaggio's "Judith Slaying Hollefernes"- AMAZING!!!!!!!
- walked down the back of the museum down to the Ponte Vecchio- did some shopping (scarves and ties and looked and looked and looked for a sweater for dad).
- got back in train to Livorno at 3:10 pm and arrived at 4:50- took the bus back to the piazza to catch the shuttle- the bus was SO crowded but not as bad as the train yesterday. Met a funny group from Chicago waiting/ guarding the line for the Ship Shuttle (which cost $8 each for a 10 minute ride). Some people are so rude/selfish/ignorant of people lining up and waiting patently- getting on the shuttle was ridiculous and yet hilarious because husband were getting on without their wives and vice versa then complaining about it. CRAZY but the shuttle organizer was awesome and didn't take any line cutters or shovers.
- back on ship: went to dinner and the staff sang for us :)
- played Name That Beatles Tune but they did trick questions and played singled-out parts like Ringo's drums in "Strawberry Fields"
- Sang Kareoke (Les sang "Cowboy Take Me Away" by Dixie Chicks!!)
- watched The Quest game show.
- watched dancers at Club 20 party which basically seemed like a party for the cruise director staff. I wish I had the courage to go dance with them but I was tired and looked like crap and they all were such amazing dancers.
Palazzo Medici!!
Bruneleschi's Dome!!! This architectural marvel ushered in the Renaissance!! 
Stairway in the Uffizi
Outside front entrance of the Uffizi.
Ponte Vecchio
Gelato!!!!!!!!!!!!
So tired so we are taking a rest before our big night out. 
Europe Feet- I think we sped walked through Italy :)
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