It's nice in Nice

12 January 2004 ~ 12:50

We touched down at Nice Cote d�Azur Airport at 12.45 pm to a clear blue, sunny sky and a sight we always enjoy�that of palm trees growing in abundance. While we were waiting for the bus to take the fifteen-minute journey into the town centre, it felt like it was in the lower 60s Fahrenheit. We made our way to the hotel and checked in. Then, after unpacking, we headed downstairs and enjoyed a coffee in the lounge

Then, time to explore: We walked down to the Promenade des Anglais and discovered that a giant Big Wheel (Ferris Wheel) had been erected near to the Jardin Albert Ier. Mark wanted to go on it. I wasn�t too sure but allowed him to persuade me. I was glad he did�the views from the top were breathtaking. We could see the whole of the Baie des Anges, the city of Nice and the surrounding hills and mountains. Mark, much to my surprise, was apprehensive during the first revolution of the wheel and was nervously humming a Blood, Sweat and Tears tune (�Spinning Wheel,� I wonder?), but then he really enjoyed it.

I dragged Mark along to the shops to buy some souvenirs (picture playing cards, a Venetian glass cross for my mum, and a painting of Nice for our living room wall), then we went for coffee at a little caf� before returning to the hotel.

On the way we passed the window of a pet shop where lots of adorable puppy dogs were romping. If we were living in Nice we would definitely have bought the little black chow. Everybody in Nice seems to have a dog! We decided to have a workout in the hotel�s mini-gym and then relaxed in the sauna for a while. Unfortunately the Jacuzzi was closed and the outdoor swimming pool would have been far too cold to use in January (Mark reported the water temperature was 54 degrees F!). We finished the day with dinner in our favourite Nicoise restaurant, The Barracuda, and relaxed in our room watching French TV (a rather interesting show of people falling over, crashing bikes, etc).

Despite both suffering from upset stomachs and not sleeping too well, we got up for breakfast on Sunday. The breakfast room is on the 8th (top) floor and it was very quiet up there, so we got a corner table and were able to enjoy the view. We then set off to try and find the chateau. Mark visited an Internet caf�, anxious to get the news on the Patriots game, while I sat on the beach for half-an-hour. I sat on my coat as I didn�t need to wear it�that�s how mild it was. When he met me, we walked along the promenade.

We were beginning to think we�d never find the chateau and I asked a lady going by, �Excusez-moi, mais ou est-ce qu�on peut trouver le chateau?� (Where can we find the castle?) Just as she pointed ahead we noticed the entrance to the �ascenseur� (lift or elevator) that took people up to the top of the cliff. So we paid our 60 cents (one way) and rode on up to the top.

It was very pretty looking down on the harbour, watching the Corsica-Sardinia ferry sail in, the water turquoise blue, the palms swaying gently in the light breeze. On top of the cliff was a little park decorated with mosaics, and after asking directions we strolled along to find the waterfall. It�s an artificial waterfall but it looks very natural and I took some photos of Mark and the dragons, including one of Mark balancing on a tree bough!

We then walked down and back towards the Vieille Ville (Old Town), on the way stopping to look around the Jewish cemetery, with some very moving tributes to the French victims of the Holocaust. After sitting outside a caf� for lunch, we decided to have another go on the giant Ferris Wheel. It really is great and we hope to try it out at night-time in May for a different view.

Needless to say, this little weekend romp was just what the doctor ordered for residents of rainy England just after the holidays! Time to go and check out. See you in May, Nice.


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