Monday, June 6th, and the day could not have been more perfect! The sun was shining…sunscreen was in order as I was going to the Mediterranean! Longing for the water…even as it sits on the horizon during the approach, there is a certain sense of calm that envelops me. It will be a best day! I am riding with Janicke from Discover Provence…others along for the excursion included a couple from the East Coast, here on their honeymoon…enjoying Provence after their first stop in a very wet Paris…thankful that I will be visiting there later in my adventure! Another solo traveler, as I recall, from Australia..but that short-term memory is in question. Not to worry! We all had such a great time!
Walking along the port with the sidewalk cafes full of relaxed folks, enjoying a beverage or meal…people watching is a favorite past time, but possibly that’s my own claim as there might be other occasions happening that I’m unaware. There’s a breeze blowing and after a quick promenade…no, those two words never mix! Quick and promenade…slap me, as that will not happen again! We board a boat that will take us out to the Calanques.
Calanques are inlets with steep cliffs and incredibly blue hues of water…some house moored boats, but it seems that it holds daily boaters and appreciators of the blue waters calling for play and a refreshing dip…can’t say that I blame them!! The cliffs also call those that take a more risky challenge. Saw one individual scaling the cliffs without harnesses, no great supply of ropes either….obviously great concentration is involved, but I wondered as the boat captain whistled up to him…I guess that is a common occurrence…really??
We visited three in our stay out in the sea (I have been corrected when I once called it the ocean….I humbly agreed!) During our return to port, we did pass a school of children taking a sailing lesson in what I compare to salbots during my earlier days. It was a bit windy so I’m sure they perfected their young skills that afternoon. Give me the sea with a breeze and I call it perfection!
So, if that’s not enough for a day….we continued on up La Route des Crêtes (just have to admit, I just found how I put in the correct punctuation….gold star for me, however long it took!). This route often is closed if it’s windy but we were in luck with just a slight breeze! The views are nothing short of spectacular!
Before we set for home (as I have come to refer to Aix from time to time) we had one more stop at a local vineyard for a bit of tasting…this time white…in France, I’ve noticed that wine is not called Savignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Viogner…it is designated by the region where the grapes are grown and is particular to that region…it is far more advanced and an individual knows what they will be tasting. I haven’t near a knowledge or palate but, I did buy a couple of bottles and enjoyed every last sip of my choices of Domaine du Paternel! A great day indeed!!