Not a fan - yet

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Geo: 43.5119, 5.46623

Buffet breakfast was provided at the hotel this morning. I don't like French breakfasts.

We caught the bus into the city centre of Aix-en-Provence - much easier than taking the car and finding parking. We were dropped at a majestic fountain, La Fontaine de la Rotonde. Apart from the Trevi (which was undergoing maintenance), this would be the grandest fountain we have seen. Aix comes from the Latin word Aquae, and fountains form an integral part of Aix-en-Provence.

We visited the tourist bureau where you have to cue for hours to get a tourist brochure. Forget it.

We wandered around town taking in the sights and the shops but I wasn't really that impressed. Just another town. Not much atmosphere.

The rain was coming in so we chose an undercover restaurant to spend some time while it passed. My lunch was very average. Again though the rose was great.

We visited an exhibition of photos, sculptures and stuffed Beautiful Savages including lions, crocodiles, apes, leopards. It was wonderful. We then hiked further up the hill to visit the studio where Cezanne painted from.

Then unexpectedly we found a couple of awesome shops. I bought way too much but the clothes are much cheaper, and nicer, than Perth. I now have clothes made in Paris. Woo hoo. And a scarf made in China. Not so woo hoo.

So far I have found that the tourist sites, ie churches, fountains, in Aix do not provide English translations of information. I think the people are a little rude and don't try to assist if you can't speak English. I must say the timeliness and professionalism of wait staff is very good though. One waitress told us that French people think they are the centre of the universe and that the entire world should speak French.

We caught the bus back to the hotel and did some travel planning for the week over a very average dinner.

So far I'm not a fan of this place.

Oh, a PS. G brought some very flash shoes in Dubai and wanted to try them out at dinner. For the entire walk from the room to the restaurant G's shoes squeaked loudly, as she tried to look very swanky. I was behind her the whole way shrieking with laughter, and truth be told (and what happens on holiday stays on holiday) the belly laughter caused a little wind to escape (loudly), from me. We were then both in hysterics in the corridor, and then again on the way back to the room later that night.

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Photos

Beautiful Savages
Lion made from chicken wire

In Aix
No English translation so no name

Comments

[ann]

G has vowed never to tell you anything that may generate even the slighest giggle!! I do have a funny about senior citizens trying to set a password, but that might do you in. Enjoy France... glad you found some helpful French-folk.

[Ginnetta]

Tania's going to all the tourist spots in Perth when we gat back and translating all the commentary into French! My basic French is coming in handy, I find myself translating for Tania ALL the time....

[adrian]

Farting Tan? Really?? Who knew girls did this? Looks like you were enjoying Italy more than France so far. What was wrong with the weird hunchback by the way? You are getting picky in your old age! PS the Hawks are in the grand final this
week. Woohoo!! Meet you at he Inglewood at 12noon.