Nice

We docked around 6 a.m. and finally we weren't rolling anymore. I slept through it all, but Ash had a hard time sleeping.

I dressed in my shorts and aloha shirt (the only clothes left out) and went to breakfast to find it just POURING outside. And it didn't want to let up! We all got in line to disembark at 8:30 and it seemed to lessen a bit, but then it just intensified, so it was a mad dash off the gangway, a short run to the tent with our bags and then a roll over to the waiting tent - we all got soaked.

A half hour later, it was our turn for a taxi and the short expensive ride to our hotel, Villa Victoria. However, rooms weren't yet available so we had some tea/coffee and waited while 'reading' French magazines. One room was available at 11:30 and we let Ashley and Bryce take that one.

About 12:45, the second room was ready although the 'perfume' from the recent cleaning was very strong so we opened the windows and all headed out for a walk around Nice as the rain had stopped. Walking down to the plage a fair number of people were out and about and a few were trying to catch some rays on the stone/pebble lined beach. It didn't look that comfortable, but at 15 euros for a lounge chair, umbrella and shower, the free alternative was at least reasonable.

We walked into the narrow streets of the Old Town and window shopped or stuck our heads in to look around. Pictures were plentiful if only I'd brought my camera, but Bryce and Carolyn took several.

Stopping at a sidewalk restaurant for crepes and tea the rain began again so we watched the soaked and the wet passing by in various states of hurry. It let up enough to allow us a relatively dry return to the hotel.

We all settled in for naps in the late afternoon before heading back to Old Town for our last supper with the four of us. Another good meal and wine as we were street serenaded by a Ukrainian group whose CD we now own. Then it was back to the hotel, farewells for me and packing until 11:30 so I'd be ready for my 5:45 taxi.

I was awake at 4:45 and laid in bed until 5 before showering and dressing and leaving Carolyn with a big hug and many kisses. Now its the all-day return trip through Zurich-Dallas-SNA. On the tarmac in Zurich, a full 180 degree rainbow shone - a good sign for a long flight.