We allowed ourselves to sleep in a little bit today but got up with quite a few extra hours in order to walk slowly and take our time down to the boat. We ate breakfast at the hotel (baguette bread, croissants, jam, cereal, hot chocolate and coffee- which tasted like a mocha when mixed) and then slowly strolled through the beautiful city streets to the outer river. Once aboard, we went straight to the little check in office that sits on the boat's waiting dock to pay our dues and prove our presence on the boat. Then it was a waiting and people-watching game. Sitting on the benches outside waiting to be let aboard, Aleca and I quickly noticed that were the only two young people present who were also simultaneously without a romantic partner. Everyone else was either about three decades our senior, was with a husband or wife, or had come on a double date with another young couple. We were the odd men out- and we didn't care about that in the slightest.
Finally, we were called aboard our beautiful cruise boat and were taken to our designated tables!
That's us! (2 Goëlettes menus for Mlle Blaisdell- mademoiselle Blaisdell)
Happy as can be!!
The inside of the boat after everyone was seated
It took a while for the boat to actually get moving but it didn't matter: the view outside our huge table window was spectacular. The sun couldn't have been more pleased to shine on us this day! We were very contented to sit and watch the rays sparkling on the river, admire the little river-side French cottages, and begin slowly and then more rapidly (as the deliciousness registered) eat the small dishes in front of us. Neither Aleca nor I were certain if it was bad manners to start the meal before the boat had even left the dock, but upon seeing a nearby Irish couple commence, we felt quite entitled to do the same.
The small starting plate: a mild caviar and herb mixture (tasty!)
The table pastries: flaky little things stuffed with pesto or just plain amazing flavor
A woman came around just before we started nibbling to take our drink orders. Taking into consideration how special this whole situation was, how impressive it was for the two of us less-than-21-year olds to have selected this particular experience for ourselves, and how unforgettable we already knew this day was going to be, we made the best decision possible: champagne!! =)
Toasting to our happiness with champagne
The view out our window
A beautiful cottage that caught my eye
Eventually, the boat got moving, and we had nothing left to do but enjoy the half-day cruise down the Rhône River to the charming town of Arles and back up to beautiful Avignon. Oh, and enjoy the spectacular food as it came out one succulent dish at a time.
In between plates it was Aleca's and my pleasure to meander along the upper deck in the wind and sunshine. It was nice and warm up there but refreshing after the slight stuffiness in the dining hall. We enjoyed taking turns wearing and posing with my fancy new black and white sunhat too. =)
On the upper deck!
Out of all 8,000 pictures I now have from this entire journey, this is one of my favorites. <3
Pulling out of Avignon, we passed the famous Pont d'Avignon for photo-ops
The entrée: some sort of creamy seafood, vegetable, and gelatin loaf with a very tasty cream sauce. I wish I could describe it in a way that doesn't sound gross, but that is essentially what it consisted of. Only it was very enjoyable to eat
Finally! The plat principale (main course): crispy-on-the-outside/super-soft-on-the inside salmon with buttery asparagus and a fried ball of mashed seafood, all in a [I'll use a Julia Child expression for this one] wonder sauce that cannot be described!
Enjoying the main course... and the beautiful view!
Castle up on a hill
Ahhhhhh.....
La salade: a simple green salad with a sweet and thick vinaigrette and the creamiest, most delicious hunk of cheese I have ever tasted
Dessert: some sort of French-style fruit cake with a torched custard on top, crème Anglaise poured around it, and raspberry sauce drizzled all over.
Lastly- no French dining experience is complete without café! (Which is more or less just a shot of espresso)
About a quarter of the way through the cruise the boat came across a dam and one of those contraptions that connects two levels of water with a passage for boats to be shuttled through. Get all that? Basically, we were cruising along the upper portion of the river behind the dam; when we got to the point where we needed to cross, the boat had to be lowered down to the rest of the river's level. So we floated slowly inside the lift and passed a good 20 minutes waiting for clearance and then sinking slowly to cruising capability. It was fun to watch but eventually bored Aleca and I (plus, the food coma was well kicked in by now and espresso aside, we were feeling very sleepy); however, this whole process could not have been more entertaining for every French person on board and it was treated like a show. We saw true French egoism in that moment, because the seasoned males took the upmost pleasure and pride in explaining to their women what was going on, why, and how. Then they delighted in competing with each other to be the first to announce a new development- "the door is opening! we're moving forward! etc." The two of us found this whole thing to be quite amusing.
Sinking slowly but greatly
Finally! The door opened to let us through to the rest of the river
And on we charged
More of me enjoying the upper deck... and my hat. :)
Sitting up there with the wind whipping my hair, sun kissing my skin, and the world around me completely pleasing my eyes, I felt like it couldn't get any better. And then this little guy flew by, and I suddenly understood the expression "free as a bird."
Around 3p we pulled up to the lovely little Provençal town of Arles. Arles is home to some of the most gorgeous and charmingly-worn Provence-type buildings, the most fragrant lavender and herbs, and some of the sights that most inspired a man named Vincent Van Gogh. Apparently the artist spent some of his life in Arles being inspired and painting away.
Stepping off the boat, we stumbled upon a very sleepy but cheesy little carnival. All the usual suspects were there: bumper cars, nachos, and slushies. What a change of scene from that elegant dining hall on the boat!
Welcome to beautiful Arles!
I get it now, Van Gogh: something about this street makes me just want to paint it!
Arles also has its own [smaller but more intact] Colosseum.
Beautiful.
Beautiful beautiful!
Purple shutters. <3
Aleca and I used our hour ashore to walk around the small shops and vendors that were stationed around this ancient structure. I found a pretty Provençal table cloth (with a "Handmade in France" tag and all!) for my mom for Mother's Day and Aleca got an adorable sunflower-pattern table cloth too. Hers was for a small round table, which she apparently doesn't own. But according to her, if she can't make it work she'll find something to do with it! Now that's the spirit!
=)
My feet and ankle began screaming at me about 40 minutes into our time ashore. The shoes I wore are not meant for lots of walking and they also squeeze the bones around my toes. Needless to say, I was more than ready to head back to the boat.... I just didn't feel like I could even make it. I had to make myself suck it up and just limp my way back to comfort. Oh, but not before treating myself to a sugary-sweet, mint slushy from the carnival. :)
Safely back on board: Aleca's citrus smoothy and my mint one- not fancy, but very refreshing
During the second half of the voyage, nearly everyone ended up on the top deck to soak up the sun and the scene. I loved it but was frustrated that all these people took the good seats in the shade!
I love this place.
Around 7p we pulled back into beautiful Avignon. It was a truly magical day at sea and we were just full up with tingly happiness- and amazing food!
Avignon- gold in the setting sun
Leaving the boat we walked under this canopy which basically says, "See you soon aboard!"
Disembarking the boat, we had nothing left to do for the day but have a light dinner and relax. The first thing we did was head to the hotel to change shoes (my feet hated me for putting them back in their shoes to get off the boat) and we ended up picking up some bakery grub for dinner on the way there. The "light" plan went out the window for me when I chose a spinach and goat cheese quiche, small chicken sandwich, and massive chocolate chip cookie. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I bought all of this. I bet my eyes were hungrier than my stomach at that point.
My quiche with its hunk of goat cheese in the center
My little chicken and veggie sandwich- very good!
And my huge cookie that was too doughy still for my stomach to want to try to put it away.
Obviously, this was a more-than-great day and is one I will never forget. I fell in love with the Provence region today, and actually thought quite a bit about my parents and how I'd love to send them on a cruise like the one I had today. :)
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