Nah, I’m just Avignon…

With two weeks to go we hopped on the train to Avignon, where Dave, much to everyone’s annoyance persisted in cracking the same wanky joke over and over again! Here’s an example:

Dave: “The bridge in Avignon is now finished.”

Us: no reply

Dave: “S’not really – I’m just Avignon”

Thank God there isn’t much time left with them!

Anyhow, we went to the unfinished bridge (how bizarre!?). After eating two crêpes, we caught the train out of town to Lyon…

Found a nice little restaurant where I was the only one brave enough to try snail (not bad) and tripe (not good). Finally, we caught the night train to Toulouse - €1,50 for a seat. Hope I get some sleep!

Complet!

Up early and on the train to Marseille!

The train to Marseille was horribly overcrowded, but luckily we got on early enough to get a seat. By now we are well practiced when arriving in a new place. Toilet (usually Dave having a number 2), tourist info (for a map) and accomodation (which all too often has been easy!). Only not this time...

Everywhere was 'complet', so we ended up staying in a right hole AND I'm having to share a double bed with Doug :(

After dumping our bags and filling our bellies, we took a boat to Chateau d'If. This is the place (so the tour guides tell us) that inspired Alexander Dumas to write the Count of Monte Christo. A lovely little place :)

We were all so knackered that in the evening we just went for some Morrocan food (there's a big North African influence here) and then went to bed.

Happy Birthday Dave!

Since the Nice YH is so nice (no pun intended!) we're stopping here another night, but first we're off to Cannes. The whistle-stop tour started with a trip to the Palais de Festival - where the film festival takes place. Next we got attacked by a very polite french boy!?

After grabbing a quick sandwich - where Doug used his GCSE French to perfection "Je m'appelle Jambon et Fromage Sandwich S.V.P." - we headed to the beach...

The sun was hot, the sea was cool and the girls were naked :)

Finally back to Nice for food, beer and a bit of Italian singing!?

Halfway there

With the half way point rapidly approaching (12 noon) we high tailed it out of Italy, through France and into Monaco. You could smell the money as soon as we arrived!

Given the prices, I think it's a good thing we're only staying for a couple of hours. Still, walking around the park was free, so that's what we did. Check out their ten (well, ok - eight) commandments - ridiculous!

Next went to the casino - Colin wasn't brave (or stupid) enough to go in, but I dashed past the first set of guards, only to be thrown out by the second set :( so we decided to trundle around ther port and look at the big boats - the best name had to be Lady Candy.

We then made our way back to the train station to meet Dave and Doug - they had survived! After swapping stories we all came to the conclusion that Italy was shit.

Finally we caught the train to Nice and made our way (under Doug's guidance - I know!) to the YH, which is really swanky and quite cheap! Food, beer, chatted up girls (including a beer stealing Australian!), Dave puked, then bed.