Similar to our last day in Paris, our last day in Nice was all about taking it easy and walking around. I started off the day by going for a run on the boardwalk, which was hot even at 9am, but beautiful. We were planning on hiking up to the park on a hill in the East end, but couldn't find any stores open to get groceries (everything is closed Sundays). After a little bit of wandering, we found ourselves in Old Nice, which as it turns out is quite the hidden gem. From what we could tell, it is where all the locals hang out, and was essentially a network of alleyways laden with hole-in-the-wall cafés just waiting to be discovered. There was also huge farmers' market where we picked up some garlic bread with mushrooms, spiced olives, cherries, and a bottle of wine for our picnic. As a side note, we also sampled by far the best sundried tomatos I have ever had, but at 25 Euros for a small box, that was just not happening.
The ruins hike was a cake walk compared to the Eiffel Tower, but had the added reward of waterfalls and trees on the way up, as well as a beautiful park when we reached the top. We had our picnic overlooking the Medetteranian, and was one of the cheapest and best meals we have had yet. It still feels weird that you are allowed to drink in public here, but is great for events like this.
After our hike, we headed back to the market and picked up a kilogram of cherries and another bottle of wine for later, and I bargained with a street vendor over a wooden statue that I now carry in my backpack. We finally did some laundry, which took forever and I will spare you the details.
We spent the afternoon tanning on the beach and then headed back to La Sasparas for dinner since it was so great the first night. Unfortunately they didn't tell us the kitchen was closed until we had already ordered a few things to start, so we headed out to find food. Since everything was closed, we ended up at Quick, which is basically like McDonalds, and had a similar gross after feeling. We grabbed a quick nap to recuperate, then headed back down to the beach for sunset and another bottle of French red (which incidentally is awesome even at 4 Euros). We toasted the end of our French adventure and looked forward to Italy...
Pisa
We arrived in Pisa after a 5 hour train ride via Genova, and immediately had trouble with our hostel. Apparently this place is just a huge apartment that has been converted to a hostel, and nobody is there to check you in or out. We arrived to find our names written on the wall outside with the instructions "call this number". Finally we got the owner to show up and she let us in. The front hall stunk like sulphur and the elevator was big enough for 2 people and a small dog, but since the room itself was nice, it was just funny. We immediately headed to the Tower to make the climb, which at 15 Euros was the most expensive thing we have done yet. It was a surreal climb, as you couldn't see the lean from the inside, but you could sure feel it. The stairs would all of a sudden seem extremely difficult to climb, and then start leaning, then seem flat again. Kristen did not enjoy the top of the tower at all, as the protective railing only reached about waist height. However, we spent about 10 minutes talking with a great older guy from Australia and his sister. They were on a great world journey in their restored 1944 war vehicle which was supposed to culminate in Normandy on the day of the 65th anniversary. It was fantastic to meet them and get to have a chat, and we wished we could have been there for the celebration (we are back at home/in Germany for the big day). Nonetheless, Kristen and I are going to try and make it there on the way home.
We had dinner at a restaurant right under the tower, and Mike was thrilled to finally have real Italian pizza! I did the same, and Kristen had pesto gnocci. It is a little bit harder to get by here because of the language difference, but we have managed so far. Right now we are just waiting for our train to Rome, as there is nothing to do in Pisa really aside from the tower. Sorry for the long entry, but we owed you a few days! Ciao
We are enjoying your write ups. Hope the hostel situation gets better in Rome and Venice!!
ReplyDeleteImagine you are now full of pizza and pasta. The weather looks great for the next few days.
Spoke to Steve from LA airport today. He just left for Hawaii. Aunt Cathy asked for the blog address so you may hear from them. Hope you are still enjoying the traveling and all the sights. don't forget to get some special souveniers for yourselves and take pics of one another.