Ile de Bendor Excursion

What to do on a Monday in Bandol, France??? We left the apartment to go and explore where we will be calling home for the next few weeks. There is a ferry right in the middle of the marina that runs it the Ile de Bendor. This island is only about 300m from Bandol and was purchased by Paul Ricard in 1950. (Seriously, how much pastis are people drinking? He can afford an island???) 

Walking from our apartment down the street

My chic French baby

London has spent many hours on the shoulders of Pappy, so she decided that her baby doll 'Melody' wanted to ride on shoulders also. I'm just glad that they were London's shoulders and not mine. ;->

 The ferry runs every 30 minutes so this seemed like a fun way to spend the day. The beaches are supposed to be beautiful and there is a hotel, restaurants and The Museum of Wine & Spirits. (I would say that is appropriate if the world of wine and spirits afforded you the opportunity to buy your own island!)

All ready for the ferry ride. She was a little apprehensive about the ferry ride after our adventure in years past in Cassis. So she stayed in her seat and wouldn't venture too far. Fortunately the ferry ride is only about 7-8 minutes.

The Port of Bandol

Hugs on the ferry ride

More hugs on the ferry ride

A view of Bandol. We were trying to figure out where our apartment was located.

Ship Captain

Arriving to Ile de Bendor. I'm already impressed, it is so charming.

London and baby doll Melody are ready to explore

Mommy & London 'Selfies'

Just being silly on the island beaches

Say 'Fromage!'

Two angels - one just happens to be a statue.

This gate was the entry way to a very sweet restaurant in a garden on the island. But being in true French form, it was closed on Mondays. 

Dad & London

Don't jump Steve!!!

The photograph does not do this justice. The colors of the sky and the transparency of the ocean water was absolutely breathtaking.

Gorgeous

This photo pose made me quite nervous! Step away from the edge!

Lots of photo opportunities on our hike around the island.

Baby doll Melody keeps jumping into the shots

The island doesn't support cars or anything else so everything is just beaches and walking paths. It was quite a fun exploration until we started to get hungry. Then we were wondering if coming to the island on a Monday was such a good idea???

The rocks were such a beautiful Sedona-like red color.

You would think she has had her photograph taken often in her lifetime as she was constantly posing for me.

Can we please stay???? Forever!?!

Once we made it around the island it was time to figure out what we were going to do for lunch. Fortunately we stumbled upon this little establishment. Honestly I was a little concerned at first but it was located right on the beach and the views of Bandol were perfect. When we walked through the chef was just setting up for lunch and pulled out his grill that he prepared the fish on and we were instantly sold! The menu offered fresh catches of the day and langoustines for 9 & 18 euros so we thought we had found a treasure.

Our fresh catch of the day beach-side restaurant 

Views of Bandol

Boats were coming and going which was fun to watch throughout lunch

Sunbathing Beauty

What better way to start lunch than with a bottle of local rose wine. Saint Marguerite is a new rose discovery for us in which we quickly became fans

Our table view of the island

London has quickly adapted to the 'apertif and snack' before meals. Limonade & Chips in a boat bowl - not a better way to go!

This was my first sardine experience. Normally I wouldn't touch this with a 10 ft pole, but our waitress was so happy to bring it to us and there weren't any other customers so I felt obligated. To my surprise, it was a sardine mousse with some toasted bread (Wonder white bread style) and it was amazing! I guess I always make London try food at least once and perhaps I should follow my own advice. 

Not a bad start to our island lunch

 When it was time to order our lunch we inquired about the daily catches. She immediately escorted us over to a tank and cooler where we were to select our lunch. This was definitely an easier option as the names of French fish are not familiar to us. Steve and London selected a beautiful Chapon.

Hello Lunch!

London loved going to the tank/cooler.

Now it was time for my langoustine order. This is where my French goes south and truthfully 'breaks the bank.' I was expecting 5-7 nicely sized spiny shrimp/small lobster-esque langoustines like we enjoyed in Pyla last year. Instead this guy comes to our table for approval!?!?!? Seriously, I thought lobster in French was Hommard???? I'm a little confused and this poor crustacean is squirming at our table. Steve found it quite funny (at this point) and said oh well, why not. 

Surprise.....Langoustines don't always mean what you think!

OMG!!!! A table dance performed by my soon-to-be lunch!

Preparing the Chapon table-side

Hello Heaven!

Steve didn't find it quite as funny when the 7-8 langoustines that I had been expecting turned out to be a 700-800 gram lobster (at 18 euro per 100 grams) of lobster. Yes, that's right....this little guy was a smooth 126 euro experience. And to make matters even more financially traumatizing, that lovely Chapon that Steve and London selected wasn't 9 euros, but in fact 9 euros per 100 grams. So 800 gram Mr Fishy turned out to be 72 euros of deliciousness. I am SOOOOO glad we were drinking wine when the bill came. Haha! 

In all seriousness, we left the restaurant and island a little lighter in the pocketbook but we have some memories that we will enjoy and laugh at for many years to come. But I do see a few lunches of street vendor paninis or sandwiches in our immediate future to offset this lunch tab. ;->

A French lunch cannot properly end without a 'glace' for London.

With our bellies quite full and our wallet a bit lighter we were headed out of our long and amusing beach-side island restaurant. Time to catch the ferry and head back home. I don't blame London for wanting to bask in the sun and relax with a full belly.

Gorgeous

Glamour baby

We were mesmerized by the coverage on the stone wall. It looked like something that was supposed to be underwater (with Ariel). It certainly isn't the ivy we would have expected.

Paul Ricard's Wine & Spirit Museum (closed Mondays, FYI)

 On our way out we passed a really sweet beach. Fortunately London was the perfect planner and had her bathing suit under her dress so she headed straight for the water. I don't blame her it was perfect!

Don't need my water shoes, Mom. No rocks here!

Mediterranean Baby, Laid Back

Who wouldn't be so happy here!

 Being the vacation family photographer, I kicked off my flip flops and headed into the water to take some action shots of London. Unfortunately I didn't notice the algae growing on the random cement area and I slipped slide straight into the water. I am certain it was a graceful fall and fortunately I held the camera high above my head to save it. Because I was dressed and not in a bathing suit, I was also quite thankful that I had a printed dress on since I was now SOAKING wet. I had slid all the way in (gracefully of course).

Thanks Steve for pointing out my tracks

She was still posing for her photo even after my (graceful) fall into the Med.

Heading back into Bandol on the ferry....big decisions....Which one do I want??? HAHA

 Once we were back to Bandol, my sundress was kind enough to dry quickly so we continued our walk around the town. ;-> First and most important stop, THE CAROUSEL! We went ahead and purchased the largest amount of tickets since we will be here for a while.

Look at all those tickets!

Carousel Girl

Dad is getting in on the Carousel rides too!

Wow, Dad is really getting into the Carousel rides!

Hmmmmm, I have so many comments.....

Once we could tear London away from the Carousel, we headed back in the direction of our apartment. We stumbled upon a playground overlooking the marina. Why not??? Great views and a happy kiddo.

Choo Choo

Dog House

Dolphin-obsessed London 

While at the playground we were able to assess the many boat options. I was happy to select the 'Yuko" as the one that I could 'handle.'  I could certainly do some Mediterranean waves off this little number. Steve was kind enough to try and negotiate a 'deal' to buy this boat for us. Unfortunately I think he offered his Costco card as a form of payment!

Looking to Make a Deal!

'Yes, I understand this 'small' boat is for sale. We are very interested to work something out. Does this include a crew?'

'What do you mean you don't accept my Costco Card for payment??'
 (International Incident #1)

Once Steve and I had a laugh at our attempt to purchase the 'Yuko' and London has played countless hours on playgrounds and carousels we decided to have dinner. (And I have NO IDEA why???? I wasn't hungry at all after my 800 gram/2lb lobster/langoustine) But London enjoyed some pizza and somehow some Moules/Frites ended up on the table too.

Seriously, We are eating again????

Curry Moules and Rose Wine - Who could refuse?

What a great day in Bandol/Ile de Bendor!! We can't wait to see what the rest of our time here brings. This is the best of all (French) worlds as far as I am concerned - Provencal living while on the beach. Quite possibly perfection!