Cassis and the Boat Ride

Tuesday we headed back to the town of Cassis on the Mediterranean. We had to share this gem of a town with my parents and Kimberly & Robben. Plus Steve and I were hoping the ocean wasn't 'agitee' like the prior week so we could go out on the boat through all the cliffs that surround the town.

We get an early start and stop in a cafe for a drink and to take in the scenery before our boat ride. Good news, the boats are running and we have tickets for the noon departure. After our stop in the cafe, we head to our designated boat at the marina.

 I think we are all looking forward to discovering more aspects of Cassis from an ocean view!

 It almost looks like the town behind Kimberly is at the Venetian in Vegas or something. It is so picture-perfectly beautiful!

 Our group as we take off out of the marina.

 What a gorgeous view back at the marina and it's such a perfect day!

 This white building is a hotel in which Winston Churchill used to stay when he visited Cassis....gotta love the interesting facts in all of these towns.

 These are some pretty impressive homes along the water.

 Hmmmm, this boat ride is getting a little too 'adventurous' for most of us on there. If the ocean was 'agitee' on our last visit, what in the world are they doing taking boats out on it today????

 I'm certain within the first 10 minutes of the ride we were all ready to turn around and head back to shore!!!! It got pretty rough!

 We got a few reprieves when we would enter the coves and they were absolutely beautiful. You would never know they existed from spending time in the town of Cassis. They are little pieces of heaven only accessible by boat....unless you are a crazy rock climber!

 So beautiful......

 We were all ready to jump in the water - it was so blue and clear.

 I am still wondering how they got on & off that 'rock beach'

 Oh NO!!!! We are heading back out into the rough water.....seriously, this made us all quite nervous!

 Byebye peaceful cove.......

 Hello La Mer Agitee!!!!

 This cave in the mountain was pretty cool. You could actually see a tree growing inside of the cave.

 If you look closely in the next two pictures there are a number of mountain climbers enjoying the day on these cliffs. I will never understand mountain climbing, or should I say cliff climbing????? I can think of many other ways to spend my time!

 REALLY?!?!?!? This isn't what I signed up for today!!!! At one point the captain stopped the engines and asked everyone to move to the back of the boat. Then the waves proceeded to violently rock us side to side as the captain announced.....whoa, whoa, whoa! I didn't find that humorous at all!!!! PLEASE< PLEASE take us back to land!!!!!

After our boat ride experience, Kimberly & Robben find a hat vendor by the marina and begin the negotiations. They both find really cute hats and the man offers them some sort of voodoo magical bracelet!!! Hmmmm, never a dull moment.

 Kimberly takes London to get the ice cream cone she promised for surviving that rough boat ride. Why not have a little dessert before lunch time????

 Robben heads to the ice cream stand too, but the voodoo/hat vendor follows Robben calling her 'fiancee.' We think he is smitten. As I'm getting the ice cream the man tells me he would like to buy his 'fiancee' an ice cream. Somehow, she goes over there and ends up buying him an ice cream cone!!!  This day continues to amuse me.

 On the way to the restaurant, London finds the bracelet lady from our first trip and decides she needs a bracelet for her other hand.

 Poor Steve - he is starving and so patiently waiting all of these antics until we all arrive!!!

 As a bonus, today is Kimberly's birthday. What better way to celebrate a birthday that a magnum of Rose wine for lunch!!!! Joyeux Anniversarie, Kimberly!!!

 Happy Girl!!!!

 Our waiter arriving with a backup.....

 Hmmmm, what happened here....another magnum!! This is quite a birthday lunch celebration! Thank goodness France insists on 3 hour lunches!!

 Finally our food arrives.....PAPPY!! What did you order?? You have 5 fish in front of you!! HA! Looks like Pappy got the fish presentation before they fileted the fish for all of us. If only I would known to have the camera ready when they brought it - he certainly thought he had made the wrong order. ;->

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KIMBERLY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KIMBERLY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR KIMBERLY, HAPPY FRENCH BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!

 Her birthday wish is an inspiration from London's princess stickers...a prince. ;->

 Happy girls, Happy day!!!

 Wow, quite impressive for an afternoon lunch!!!

 Our waiter even enjoyed our nonsense!!!

 When we leave the restaurant, there are some street performers just outside. Robben takes London to give them some money.

 They continue their dance routine to some very funny music!

 I believe this man is quite smitten with Kimberly......

 And then a big guess to all as to where we ended up next.....the CAROUSEL, of course!

 Wheeeeee, circles after rose wine at lunch time is quite entertaining.

 Pappy resumes his normal spot on the carousel as London finds the 'biker chic' motorcycle to ride.

 As we are walking back to the car, we pass the 'Cinderella Bar".....Maybe next time.

 Au Revoir Cassis.....until next time!!!!!

 In our car on the way home, 7 people stuffed in like clowns, we all fall asleep - except for the dear driver. I'm certain I will be killed for this pictures, but how can I better sum up how we are stuffed in this car and yet sleeping peacefully!!!! We love you rose wine!!! And Happy Birthday Kimberly!!!

 That night we enjoyed one our our fresh vegetable dinners outside at the house. We had gotten a box of goodies from a patisserie in Cassis. London fell in love with their designs as we walked by - they had a pig (which got eaten before we got home) and below she is enjoying the starfish pastry.

 Big decisions...which one to have????? London is supervising, hoping she can help dad eat his dessert too!

 This poor frog pastry sums up how most of us felt earlier in the day on the boat ride!!!!! I can honestly say I've never seen a dessert quite like this one!