Off to Singapore

Day 1

After quite a stressful last few days when we were thrown into travel disarray by David who got scared by the number of dengue fever statistics from Sri Lanka We cancelled our trip there and tried to think of another place to go for 2 weeks. We decided on a little island called Tioman Island that is halfway between KL and Singapore where both of us had flights anyway. 

Joel dropped us off at the airport at midday for a 2.30pm flight but we squeezed in a coffee on the way at Fox with Beth and Joel. Jim thought it would be our last good coffee but it appears Singapore has heaps of specialty coffee places so we are set for a good itinerary over the next 3 days in Singapore while we wait for the Nikles to arrive. maybe there are other points of interest too that we will check out. We have booked into the Madras hotel in the little India area of Singapore.

Julie got detained at customs, but eventually gave Bruce Mathison a hug after they had a chat.

La Turbie 24th June

Today the plan was to go to Ventimiglia, just over the border in Italy by train. They have a big market on Fridays Jim was particulary looking forward to a train journey as opposed to the usual bus. We walked to the train station( 20min) only to find out Italy is having a train strike today. We walked to our nearby coffee spot to work out a plan B. La Turbie or Peille but the next bus would not be until 2.15pm so we had a few hours to kill. We walked(1hr) the long way via the Chagall Museum to Vaubaun taking our time and having a boulaugerie lunch on the way. We sat in a park and wrote this while we waited.  My feet were starting to feel like they were getting blisters. This trip we have done a lot of walking each day but then we've eaten a lot of pastries too! Arrived in La Turbie mid afternoon, way up on a hill overlooking the Monaco with a huge Roman monument at the heart. We did a tour of said monument and walked the old town then caught a bus back. Went out for tea in Nice to celebrate end of a great holiday. #

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St Jean Cap Ferrat 23rd June 2016

Jim said the lady at the bakery is getting to know his order each morning - "Der cwasonts". We caught the buses to St Jean Cap Ferrat to walk around the Cap . It has been very hot the last 2 days so I thought today was the day to venture into the meditteranian. Yes I know you are shocked! Yes I did get in ..well halfway at least. Jim got the photo to prove it! The water was wonderful and clear. We continued on around the cap and then it was time for lunch of quiche and tropezienne cake. We then caught the bus back to the Rothschild Villa to get tickets to enter. Built high on a hill with views both directions over the sea and extensive gardens built by someone who must have had a bit of coin! Back to Nice for a gelati and smoothie walking past where the gallery I exhibitied in use to be...not there anymore for some reason! Also past an art shop where I got some french brand paints that I need for Hamilton. Well they don't really need to be french brand. Home for a rest and out to the promonade for tea and walk.... homemade, proscioutto and rockmelon, then tomato /buffelo mozzerella salad with bagette and topped off with creme brulee. #

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Nice chill day 22nd June 2016

Today we just felt like a relax day in Nice. The vibe in the city today was one of celebration as there is a Sweden vs Belgium euro soccer game being played in Nice today. Jim would have liked to have gone but it is sold out as the stadium only holds 35000. There were a lot of people dressed in yellow (Sweden)and red (Belgium) sitting and walking in groups all singing their songs and dancing and  having a jolly good time. We had a walk up the hill for a view over Nice and then Jim was on the lookout for a place broadcasting the state of origin.  As we wandered the famous flower market we happened upon an Irish pub/sports bar that had the game live inside in room 4! Jim was a happy man!  There were 15 aussies gathered , only 3 of us Queenslanders and the rest Blues. The  staff in the pub were surprised at how intense we aussies became about the game and had a fun time watching us. Suffice to say most of those gathered were not happy with the results !....but we were! After the game we headed to a specialty coffee place. It was so nice to sit and have a decent coffee with textured milk. We then did some shopping and wandered home and later found a very good restaurant nearby with delicious food. Continuing the sport themed day we watched the soccer game before bed. #

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Monaco & Villefranche 21st June 2016

We talked to Carlie and Joel on messenger this morning, so got a bit of a late start but headed for Monaco.  We started at the gardens then the casino watching the massarattis and porches drive by. We walked around the harbour to catch the changing of the guard at the palace which had been cancelled last time I was here with Lyndie due to rain. We then sat down for lunch at a restaurant in the old town, probably the same one Lynd and I had lunched at but I can't be absolutely sure. We then went to the Vintage car museum to see Prince Rainers extensive collection of cars.  Back on the bus to Villefranche sur mer to show Jim this cutest of seaside villages. Back in Nice we walked around the port and back along the promonade to home. The promonade has a lot of games happening due to the soccer euro comp.eg soccer billiards, soccer ping pong, and other strange things. We rested at home then ate some tea on the promonade as the sun set. #

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Eze 20th June 2016

We bought bfst from the bakery Lynd and I frequented this morning plus some cereal from the grocery store. We headed out to explore the antique market in the old town. This is only on once a week the rest of the week its a flower food market. We caught the bus to Eze travellung along the grande corniche which gives wonderful views of the coast below. We had a nicoise salad lunch in Eze at a little cafe Wanita and I had been to where they give you olives and oils to try. I went into the cactus garden at the top while Jim explored the rest of Eze. We caught the bus home then went down to the beach. Jim went for a swim(you can see him far right coming out of the water, in photo) and I at least put togs on, but the water was much too cold even Jim thought so! In the evening we went for a stroll along the promonade. #

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Drive to Nice 19th June 2016

Bfst at the B and B near Port Grimaud then we took the slower coast road toward Nice. The most scenic section being st Rapheal to Cannes around a peninsular with lots of craggy rocks and bays. Driving through Cannes we saw the red carpet of the Canne Film festival  building and the very impressive Carlton hotel . We pulled up in Antibes for lunch of mussells and frites(chips). We filled the petrol tank and dropped the car at the airport in Nice before catching a local bus to our hotel just behind The Negresso building,a famous landmark in Nice. We got there about 3pm and settled in before going out for a walk around the city toward our destination , an english speaking church service. The one Lyndie and I had found last time we were in Nice for my artist residency. There was a visiting american preacher who was excellant but a very small congregation, about 30 people in all. #

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