Day Six- Train Ride back to Paris, Paris by Bike

Thursday, we woke in Nice, France, which was nice :). We got our typical pastries, enjoyed a pleasant stroll around the previously mentioned Nice city center with it's art, statues and entertaining people watching exhibits. *I need to note that I do have some fabulous pictures of the center but have misplaced them surprisingly! Will add them later.*

We drove back to Aux En Provence and caught the train which returned us to Paris by mid afternoon. Back in Paris, Dave figured out the bike system for Judah (who might I say had been mentioning how fun it would be to tour Paris by bike every day since we had been there). We also found some locks to purchase and decided it would be fun to make a race out of getting back to the bridge with the locks on the Seine. Keslie and I via metro, Judah and Dave via bike. Keslie and I took headed down below and put our heads together, found the quickest route, and RAN. Keslie kept saying how competitive Judah is and how he wins at every competition they do. I typically win between Dave and myself :), me being the more competitive. Must be a family trait. Unfortunately, we exited the Metro at the wrong stop, which put us near to Notre Dame, not so close to the bridge. So, we ran! It was quite a run and we were thinking the whole time that the boys would definitely beat us there, but we still ran hard. We made it to the bridge with no sight of the boys! We had beaten them and by a good ten minutes too! It was fun to rub it in! 

Here they are on the losing bikes :). 

We marked our locks and attached them to the bridge, throwing the keys into the river as is tradition. The bridge was full of people having picnics and gatherings. It was quite a busy evening there. 

The two lovebirds.

Judah and Keslie adding their lock to the thousands already adorning the bridge.

Dave and I doing the same. 

Dropping one of our two keys into the river. The other may someday return and open the lock...maybe not. 

Dave and our little lock. 

After hanging out on the bridge, we all got bikes and decided to take turns choosing a place in Paris to ride to. Judah chose first since he was the most excited to be on two wheels. He picked this green wall which is located close by the Eiffel Tower.

I choose next and we rode along the Seine towards the small replica Statue of Liberty that sits on the river. I think that we were the only tourists there :). Not a hot spot in Paris. 

Looking from the Statue of Liberty at the Eiffel Tower. We continued our ride back through Champe Elysees and down to the Concorde past the Louvre. We ended back near Notre Dame. We were on the bikes almost 4 hours. Judah was right, Paris was fabulous by bike! We ended the night with some yummy Italian food (pretty much the only restaurant still serving food after 11pm) on a street corner. The weather must have been near to perfect because the windows were open and the atmosphere was jovial. If I remember right, Judah REALLY enjoyed his calzone. We literally had to drag ourselves back to the hotel. Another perfect day in a beautifully fabulous city. 

Day Five PM- Eze, France

Leaving Italy, we returned to France and this most beautiful place on earth, Eze! It is a little village settled on top of a mountain (around 2500ft). The ancient village is now mostly a tourist stop with little shops and sights.

 View from a ways off.

 Some of the fabulous greenery added to the architecture.

 Near the entry of the village. Not even sure what the words above the door mean. 

 Judah, just looking cool. behind him you see how the all the walkways are that join the village.

 Dave in front of a store that sells only white items. 

 Huge, magical tree. My lens didn't allow me to capture the full size of it but it was quite captivating!

 Inside the little chapel. Very impressive decor for such a remote area. 

 The outside of the above chapel. Quaint little place. 

 View inland from Eze.

 View from the Cemetary. High bridge in a narrow valley. 

 The town had a fabulous hotel that I am sure has amazing views!!! Here it is from a distance. 

 Dave and I in one of the little open areas. 

 Just a fun walkway. 

 Always, lots and lots and lots of stairs to climb!!!!!

 Not so bad when you get to come down AND get views like we did! My favorite setting of the trip I think!

Back at the well. 

 We drove back to Nice, France for dinner at a wonderfully delicious Thai restaurant that overlooked the Med. and then took a stroll through the darling town center. In the center it opens into a large area with beautiful buildings, shops and these interesting sculptures that light up at night. During the day they are white (almost translucent in appearance). At night they change gradually from color to color and appear to be floating. It was a nice evening and we enjoyed the stroll back to the hotel. 

Day Five- Monte Carlo, Monaco

We had stayed in Nice, France, so on waking, we met up with Judah and Keslie and headed East along the coast towards Monaco. We found a cute little bakery that provided the typical French pastries for breakfast (except for Judah who ate his Flan). The drive was stunning along with arriving in Monaco. The small city was alive with preparations for the upcoming Grand Prix. 

 One of the most prestigious Hotels in the World. It had plenty of nice cars parked in front with lots of security too! 

 Dave was in heaven! He had to touch and take in EVERYTHING!

 In front of the casino. Unfortunately, we were there in the AM and the casino didn't open until later in the day. Not that we would have gambled :), but it would have been cool to check out. 

 At a spot overlooking the city and the Med. 

 Plenty of amazing views to take in!

 The weather was perfect, high 60's. Nice sunny day. Low winds. We were on the Med!!!! Without kids. Life is good! (we did miss our kids:)

 The boys....

 Lots of fun and interesting vegetation living and growing there. 

 One of the views looking from the bottom up. So cool how they can build pretty much anywhere. 

 Can you see Dave?

 The boys again....

This was a picture for mom :)!!! 

 Again, LOVED the architecture and beauty EVERYWHERE I looked!

Dave saw the Ferrari sign from down the street and had to see what it was. It turned out to be a Dealership but he was just excited to see more fast cars!

 This was above a church in an alcove area in the lower part of Monte Carlo. Again, not sure how it was built just out of the side of a mountain!

 The residences here blend into the streets. You'll be walking along and see these little entry ways into homes. I want to go beyond the gate and see the houses :). 

 Monte Carlo, Monaco

 Me and Monte Carlo, Monaco :)

 Dave and I overlooking the Med.

 Seeing a little of the Harbor, looking up the hill west.

 Dave made Judah stop the car, park and walk us back for this picture. Guess it was important enough :)

 At the Italy / France border

 We left Judah and Keslie in France.... 

 Quite a different site once we got into Italy. The housing looked like it was falling off the side of the hills and in such disrepair. 

 Another example of the contrast between the two countries in this area. 

Loved this little site we saw on our journey into Italy. He must of had more on top of his car then in it! Once in Italy, we stopped at a little park, detoured to a post office where we sat and waited for some time only to be told we had taken the wrong number (we were trying to mail a few post cards for the kids). We left without success. Went to a little Italian restaurant and got some lunch, which didn't impress us much either. Sorry Italy.... we'll be back someday and hopefully get a better impression!