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SWERJK Trip – Days 7, 8, and 9
(Shary, Wendy, in Europe with Ruth, Judy, Kate)
Day 7 – Highlights of Some Paris Museums
After spending two nights at our perfectly located Paris hotel, we dressed and stored our bags at the hotel; we’d get them at the end of the day for our second overnight train trip. Then it was off to the museums! We started with highlights at the Louvre. We split up here and agreed to meet under the I. M. Pei modern glass triangle. A great start for our day!
After leaving, we walked the length of the Tuileries Gardens to the Musée de l’Orangerie where we enjoyed Claude Monet’s spectacular cycle of eight Nymphéas – his water lily paintings. Over 19 feet long, you are surrounded by them as they wrap the walls of two oval shaped rooms. There were additional impressionist pieces downstairs. A most enjoyable and pleasant visit!
Then it was off to brunch at Angelinas, famous for its thick, rich, dark, and delicious hot chocolate served with a bowl of unsweetened whipped cream. Of course we all partook! After that relaxing break, it was shopping time as we walked on our way to the Musée d’Orsay. What a thrilling opportunity to take in the impressionist paintings there… to stand in front of so many famous Renoirs, Van Goghs, and Monets, that you’ve loved for years!
Kate in front of "Blue Water Lilies" at Musée d'Orsay ---- and ---- Hot chocolate at Angelinas
"Our feet hurt!!"
The bells were ringing as we later approached Notre Dame. Goosebumps for all! We went inside and sat down and were transported away by the beautiful organ and choral music. We arrived just as a service was beginning. Serendipity strikes! It was amazing to be able to participate and worship in this historic cathedral.
We knew our Paris visit would be all too short! Sure enough, there was so much more we wished we could have done and experienced. Next time! After dinner we retrieved our bags and headed for the train station. As the train pulled out of Gare Austerlitz, heading south toward Nice, we settled into our little couchette. We got our feet up and our bodies horizontal – though some of us tried to fit that in during the day. Better yet, we all managed to get some sleep before our 9 am arrival.
Day 8 – Scenes Along the Mediterranean Coast
Most of the day was on the train enjoying the scenery along the coast of France and Northern Italy.
By the middle of the afternoon, we arrived at our destination, Monterrosso, one of The Cinque Terre – the five fabled coastal towns largely isolated from the madness that is the rest of Italy. They are connected by ferry and a meandering hiking trail that goes up and down along the cliffs. After finding our wonderful bed and breakfast, we got our bathing suits and headed for the beach. The water was delightfully relaxing, warm, and buoyant.
We ate our dinner later on a terrace overlooking the water and village. It was a yummy meal – pesto on truffies and a new (to us) type of home made pasta. After eating, sat for a quite a while relaxing and enjoying the terrace.
Day 9 – Hanging Out in Monterrosso
Tuesday September 29 dawned sunny and warm. After a great breakfast, we decided to forego hiking the trail between the towns; we decided we had been on our feet enough! So, instead, we took a beautiful boat ride between the towns, got off and had some lunch, shopped, and headed back to Monterrosso and the beach. Once again, we enjoyed the water and did some treasure hunting for little rocks and sea glass. Finally, at 5:30, the five prunes made their way back to the B&B to get ready for supper.
We found the perfect spot overlooking the beach as the sun went down. Part of the experience was the fun waiter, Fiorenzio. Supper was also another excuse to continue our gelato tasting tour of Europe. We ended the evening on the terrace enjoying some “Lemoncello” which we watched them make earlier in the day.
Ruth looking over The Cinque Terre
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The sun sets over the Mediterranean while we linger at our table.
