Cannes - French Riviera

A beautiful big yacht in the harbour, they were loading a little colour matched smart car in the back when we passed - unfortunately I forgot the name of it.



Wednesday May 6 2009 - I looked out my cabin window this morning and, in my best William Shatner voice, shouted ‘Cannes‘, well some people may get the connection. Here we are on the French Riviera, home to movie stars, motor yachts, paparazzi and ‘2 euro‘ stores, yes we found Europe’s answer to the dollar store, strange in this city known for its’ opulence.

Pedestrian shopping street



The ship was anchored in the bay and around 10.00am we took the tender ashore, only the third time we were tendered in to the dock in the entire world cruise. After walking through the main pedestrian shopping thoroughfare, we sat down for an espresso and a cappuccino then doubled back and walked along the sea front, a pleasant walk, but we were ready to return to the ship.

A beach at Cannes













Boulevard de Croisante, along the ocean front



After lunch on board, we spent some time packing our suitcases with the junk, I mean souvenirs, accumulated over the last 3½ months, then sat for a while in the afternoon sun before getting ready for dinner.

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Barcelona

Tuesday May 5 2009 - I love Barcelona, it‘s such a civilised cosmopolitan city, we were here for almost a week about a year ago so I hadn‘t planned anything other than a walk about the Gothic Quarter and a few hours people watching.

Sitting at the South end of Las Ramblas



We took the port shuttle (3 euros return) to the bottom of La Rambla, the main shopping pedestrian street, since the ship was docked about 3 or 4 miles from town (same place as we were docked last time).

Plaza Real viewed from the restaurant













Just couldn't drag myself away:)



A large beer on La Rambla could cost you 12 euros, so we sat in Plaza Real just off the main strip, I think the place was called ‘Canarias’, we had 2 cappuccinos, 2 large beers, ½ a bottle of wine and 2 plates of fried potatoes for 23.50 euros, quite reasonable.


Jim and Sue



We were due back on the ship by 03.30pm so around 02.00pm we headed back, it was a beautiful day, warm but not hot and clear blue sunny skies and once on board we watched the sail away then made our way to the casino.

The casino staff and their best customer:)



We received an invite along with about 20 other losers, I mean regular patrons, from the casino manager to come for an informal photograph with the casino staff whom we’ve gotten to know quite well over our 3½ months together. It was a fun filled event where in addition to a group picture, we got to sit behind the tables in the dealer position with lots of chips and surrounded by our favourite dealers. After dinner I watched the evening show starring Karen Grainger, Canada’s foremost female impersonator and vocalist, she was very good.

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